| There is growing evidence that natural disasters can trigger technological disasters, and that these joint events (also known as natechs) may pose tremendous risks to regions which are unprepared for such events. The recent floods across Europe in the summer of 2002 and the unprecedented multiple hazardous materials releases triggered by the Turkey earthquake of August 1999 were examples showing the potential danger of a natech disaster occurring near populated areas. However, there is scarce information available on the interactions between natural disasters and simultaneous technological accidents.; This dissertation provides an overview of the natech problem through the development of five related but independent research studies that identify natech disaster scenarios at industrial facilities subject to natural hazards, documents and analyzes natech incidents and risk management and emergency response practices for earthquake triggered hazardous materials releases during the Turkey earthquake of August 17, 1999, and assess risk management and emergency response for earthquake-induced chemical accidents in the US.; The dissertation demonstrates that the likelihood of joint natural and technological disasters is high, while preparedness for joint natechs is low.; Both the study of potential hurricane-triggered hazmat release scenarios and the study of hazmat releases during the Turkey earthquake demonstrated that joint natural disasters and technological disasters act synergistically to produce a much greater threat than either type of hazard alone. Furthermore, the different natural hazards associated with natechs all have the potential to produce a high amount of property damage, economic loss, and a high level of potential health threats to workers and the surrounding communities. |
