Natural events such as tornadoes and earthquakes create a hazard that only becomes a disaster when it impacts humans. We cannot control these hazards but we can learn from them when they happen to help minimize the impact of future disasters. Four new titles have been added to this important series, which looks at the scientific study of natural disasters - what causes each phenomenon, the technology used to predict these events, the strategies in place to respond to these emergencies, and how we learn to improve our readiness for the future. Case studies help show how scientists and engineers have come up with innovative technologies and safer city and building designs by studying the destruction of past events, as well as by sharing their findings with colleagues around the world. Brief bios feature key scientists and organizations. Free downloadable Teacher's Guide.