Natural Disasters

News about UB’s research and advocacy in extreme events and disaster response. (see all topics)

Meet an Expert
  • Simulating Volcano Eruptions, One Blast at a Time
    7/31/12
    A voice carried across the treeless plateau: "Fire in the hole! The range is now active." Two dozen people fell silent before a muffled blast sent a geyser-like shower of crushed gravel, limestone and asphalt roughly 50 feet in the air. Moments later, standing at the blast site, University at Buffalo geology professor Greg Valentine gave an impromptu assessment.
  • First Female Native American Earns PhD in Engineering at UB
    5/29/12
    Seeing the Rocky Mountains usually tops the list of things to do when visiting Colorado. Not for Shannon Seneca, who vacationed there after graduating high school 15 years ago. Upon landing in Denver, she headed straight for the Rocky Flats Plant, a former nuclear weapons production facility.
  • From Hand-Washing Hygiene to Radiation Disasters, UB Researchers Mark National Public Health Week
    3/28/12
    National Public Health Week, April 2-6, will be observed by the University at Buffalo's School of Public Health and Health Professions with two seminars that are free and open to the public.
  • Whittaker Elected MCEER Director
    12/16/11
    Andrew S. Whittaker, PhD, a University at Buffalo professor and an internationally recognized expert in earthquake and blast engineering, has been elected to a two-year term as director of MCEER, a national center of excellence focused on multi-hazard engineering.
  • Treatment Wall at Western New York Nuclear Site Receives 2011 Ground Water Remediation Award
    11/1/11
    AMEC Geomatrix of Amherst, N.Y., has received the National Ground Water Association's 2011 Ground Water Remediation Award for an innovative nuclear waste cleanup project that the company completed with University at Buffalo researchers.
  • Following Tropical Storm Irene, Scientists Assess Damage in Flooded New York Communities
    9/22/11
    In the aftermath of heavy flooding caused by Tropical Storm Irene, University at Buffalo researchers are conducting a damage assessment that could help hard-hit communities in New York plan for future disasters.
  • New York's Older Brick Buildings Are Especially Vulnerable to Extreme Events, such as Earthquakes and Hurricanes
    8/26/11
    To get a better idea of just how much damage even a moderate earthquake would cause to unreinforced masonry buildings, earthquake-engineering researchers in the University at Buffalo's MCEER are reconstructing brick walls like those in New York City buildings that are approximately 100 years old.
  • Earthquake + Hurricane = Powerful Reminders of the Vulnerability of Eastern Infrastructure, Say MCEER Engineers
    8/25/11
    As communities prepare for the hurricane, with many in the southeast evacuating, the earthquake that hit Virginia and the possibility that Hurricane Irene could hit the eastern U.S. serve as important reminders about the vulnerability of structures in these areas to the full range of extreme events, from earthquakes to hurricanes and terrorist attacks, say engineers at the University at Buffalo's MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research).
  • Video Available: Earthquake Researcher Discusses East Coast Earthquake
    8/23/11
    Andre Filiatrault, PhD, director of the University at Buffalo's MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research), met with media today to discuss the 5.9 magnitude that shook parts of the eastern U.S. and Canada.
  • Media Advisory: UB Expert Available to Discuss East Coast Earthquake
    8/23/11
    Andre Filiatrault, PhD, director of the University at Buffalo's MCEER (Multidisciplinary Center for Earthquake Engineering Research), will be available to discuss the magnitude 5.8 earthquake that struck south of Washington DC and affected cities all along the eastern seaboard.