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Nature's fireworks (Credit: Derya Gürer, distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

NH Natural Hazards Division on Natural Hazards

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European Geosciences Union

Division on Natural Hazards
nh.egu.eu

Division on Natural Hazards

President: Heidi Kreibich (Emailnh@egu.eu)
Deputy President: Nivedita Sairam (Email)
ECS Representative: Maria Vittoria Gargiulo (Emailecs-nh@egu.eu)

The Natural Hazards (NH) Division covers all natural hazards that can produce damage to the environment and to the society. Therefore, it is a place where scientists and researchers of various geosciences disciplines meet with sociologists, economists and people responsible for territorial and urban security and planning policies. The aim is to improve the understanding of the evolution of the processes and to discuss new technologies, methods and strategies to mitigate their disastrous effects. The division is structured in eleven subdivisions as follows: Hydro-Meteorological Hazards, Volcanic Hazards, Landslide and Snow Avalanche Hazards, Earthquake Hazards, Sea and Ocean Hazards, Remote Sensing, AI, Data Science & Hazards, Wildfire Hazards, Environmental, Biological and Natech Hazards, Natural Hazards and Society, Multi-Hazards and Climate Hazards. Most of the topics that are treated in the NH Division are also treated in other EGU divisions, which is expected due to the intrinsic transversal nature of the NH Division.

The NH Division is one of the historical Divisions of the EGU that was established when EGU was founded and has been and is one of the largest divisions to which many geo-scientists provide steadily contributions of papers and ideas over the years.

As for all EGU Divisions, an Early Career Scientist Award is established also for the NH Division and is given to young researchers who obtain outstanding results in the assessment and mitigation of natural hazard. In addition, the NH Division awards the Plinius Medal that recognises outstanding interdisciplinary natural-hazard research and the Soloviev Medal that recognises outstanding scientific contributions in fundamental research on natural hazards. Both medals are open for all career stages.

Latest posts from the NH blog

Building the Future of Multi-hazard Disaster Risk Reduction in Barcelona

From 23 to 26 October 2024, over 40 early-career researchers and practitioners from across the globe gathered at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) in Barcelona (Spain) for the Multi-hazard Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Academy. Set against the vibrant backdrop of this dynamic city, the Academy offered a unique platform for participants to engage, learn, and collaborate on the complex challenges of multi-hazard risk management. Organised as a joint effort by leading research projects—Paratus, MYRIAD-EU, The-HuT, and Directed—the Academy brought together …


How scientists support Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) policies: the example of a European Ultraperipheral Department (Mayotte, the 14th of December, 2024)

Ultraperipheral European departments like Mayotte are developing regions, often disproportionately exposed to natural hazards and struggling to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The eye of cyclone Chido, the most violent storm to hit Mayotte island in 90 years, engulfed the French Department on the 14th of December 2024. The extensive destruction and massive loss of life ranks this event as the largest natural disaster in France since the 1902 Mt. Pelé eruption in another Ultraperipheral Department, Martinique. The United …


From Reflection to Action – Wishes for the Year Ahead

When another year comes to an end, it is time for reflection. In the context of natural hazards, it is essential to consider the challenges posed to societies, what went well, what could have been done better, and how we could create a more resilient world. Just before Big Ben strikes 12 times, marking the moment of a new day and year, and the fireworks are set to begin, our blog editors share their reflections and wishes for the New …


Trans-Border Mountainous Areas: Zones of Conflict or Cooperation Amid Natural and Man-Made Hazards?

Mountain ranges have long served as natural boundaries, shaping the geopolitical landscape of nations. However, these towering landmarks often straddle borders, creating zones of cooperation or, more frequently, contention. From the Mont Blanc massif in Europe to the young, fragile ranges of the Himalayas, mountainous regions are fraught with overlapping challenges, including natural hazards, climate change, and political disputes. This blog explores the complex dynamics of trans-border mountainous areas, examining how these challenges can ignite conflict or inspire cooperation. The …

Recent awardees

Hayley J. Fowler

Hayley J. Fowler

  • 2024
  • Sergey Soloviev Medal

The 2024 Sergey Soloviev Medal is awarded to Hayley J. Fowler for her remarkable scientific contributions in fundamental research on climate change impacts on rainfall extremes, and applications on flood risks for the improvement of climate resilience.


Jacopo Selva

Jacopo Selva

  • 2024
  • Plinius Medal

The 2024 Plinius Medal is awarded to Jacopo Selva for his transformative research in quantitative seismic, volcanic and tsunami hazard modelling, leading to relevant applied solutions used in civil protection and emergency management.


Marleen C. de Ruiter

Marleen C. de Ruiter

  • 2024
  • Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award

The 2024 Division Outstanding Early Career Scientist Award is awarded to Marleen C. de Ruiter for her outstanding scientific work on cascading hazards, multi-risk assessment and management.


Dominic Sett

Dominic Sett

  • 2024
  • Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award

The 2024 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Dominic Sett How are households contributing to flood risk management? Empirical evidence from a highly flood-prone urban region in Central Vietnam


Kalpana Hamal

Kalpana Hamal

  • 2024
  • Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award

The 2024 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Kalpana Hamal Quantification of the Physical Process Leading to Day-to-Day Temperature (DTDT) Extremes


Sara Pini

Sara Pini

  • 2024
  • Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award

The 2024 Outstanding Student and PhD candidate Presentation (OSPP) Award is awarded to Sara Pini Innovations in Soil Water Bioengineering: A Stakeholder Perception Assessment

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