Natural Disasters

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

Meet an Expert
  • 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.
  • 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.