How do natural hazards become disasters?

In this webinar, Dr Ekbal Hussein explores this question through the lens of one particular hazard: earthquakes.

• Using the 2023 Türkiye–Syria earthquakes as a key case study, the session demonstrated how disasters occur when hazards interact with four key factors, these being: exposure, vulnerability, corruption and ignorance
• The speaker noted how building quality, poverty, governance, and preparedness often have a greater influence on disaster outcomes than hazard magnitude itself
• The webinar highlighted the importance of multi-hazard risk, where earthquakes can trigger secondary hazards such as tsunamis, landslides and flooding. Cascading hazards, including severe winter weather, flooding and displacement were also noted as a factor in worsening disaster impacts
• The speaker highlighted that strengthening preparedness and resilience is key to reducing future disaster losses, while advances in technologies such as artificial intelligence and satellite remote sensing are enhancing hazard monitoring, damage assessment and emergency response capabilities
• The session concluded that disasters are largely shaped by human decisions and vulnerabilities and that hazard occurrence and seismic risk does not create a disaster in itself

About the speaker

Dr Ekbal Hussain is a remote sensing geoscientist at the British Geological Survey.

He is an analytical scientist with an interest in using satellite earth observation techniques to help address problems in international development, particularly in the areas of disaster risk reduction, climate change, poverty and global health.

Please note: This event recording includes strong language and adult themes. The views of our speakers do not necessarily reflect the opinion of the Royal Geographical Society.

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