Natural Disasters

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

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  • Complacency, apathy lead people to ignore disaster warnings, researchers say
    6/28/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. – A number of factors, including complacency and apathy, can be blamed for citizens’ failure to heed disaster warnings, according to recent research from the University at Buffalo School of Management.
  • Video: Researchers detonate ping pong balls to better understand volcanic eruptions
    6/17/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. – Tracking how far volcanic debris flies during an eruption, even a small, simulated blast filmed by powerful cameras, is not easy.
  • UB earthquake engineer says Canada earthquake was “relatively minor”
    5/17/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. – University at Buffalo earthquake engineer Michael C. Constantinou said while today’s earthquake near Ottawa, Canada, appears to have caused little damage it should nonetheless remind people that the East Coast is not immune to temblors.
  • Volcanologist can discuss ‘Popo’, the ash-spewing volcano that has towns near Mexico City on alert
    5/14/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. — University at Buffalo volcanologist Michael Sheridan can discuss Mexico’s Popocatepetl volcano, which has been coughing up ash, gas and molten rock over the past few days.
  • Emotional response to climate change influences whether we seek or avoid further information
    5/13/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. – Sixty-two percent of Americans now say they believe that global warming is happening and only 16 percent say it is not.  However, the percentage of climate change deniers has increased by four points since September and 46 percent of them say they are “very” or “extremely” sure they are correct.
  • How New York City’s brownstones would react to the Virginia earthquake
    2/28/13
    BUFFALO, N.Y. – A brick wall imitating part of a New York City row house (often called a “brownstone”) suffered minor damage but remained intact during a simulation of the 2011 Virginia earthquake, according to a preliminary analysis of tests conducted Feb. 19 at the University at Buffalo.
  • UB Experts Available to Discuss Hurricane Sandy
    10/29/12
    University at Buffalo faculty members are available to discuss challenges relating to the arrival of Hurricane Sandy on the East Coast, including threats to buildings, infrastructure and water supplies.
  • 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.