Geological Hazards: The Unseen Threats | Golden Age

Geological hazards, including earthquakes, landslides, and volcanic eruptions, pose significant threats to human populations and the environment. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), earthquakes alone have caused over 1 million deaths in the past century, with the 2004 Sumatran earthquake and tsunami resulting in over 230,000 fatalities. The economic impact is also substantial, with the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in Japan causing an estimated $235 billion in damages. Despite these risks, advances in monitoring and early warning systems have improved our ability to predict and prepare for these events. However, the controversy surrounding the use of technologies like fracking, which can induce seismicity, highlights the need for continued research and debate. As the global population continues to urbanize, the importance of understanding and mitigating geological hazards will only continue to grow, with the World Bank estimating that by 2050, 70% of the global population will live in areas prone to natural disasters.