The significant threat natural forces pose to the future of some of the world鈥檚 major cities will come under the spotlight at a free event in Aberdeen tomorrow.
The destruction caused by earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions 鈥� and man鈥檚 inability to control these catastrophes 鈥� will be explored by Professor of Production Geoscience at the 黑料网, Andrew Hurst.
In his talk 鈥� which takes tomorrow (Wednesday September 15) at Waterstone鈥檚 Union Bridge branch - Professor Hurst will explain how the geological foundations of cities including London, New Orleans, Tokyo, Las Vegas and Venice, is threatening their future sustainability.
He will also examine how gradual events, such as land subsidence, are capable of destroying cities, at the event which begins at 7pm.
Professor Hurst鈥檚 talk is the latest in the University鈥檚 Caf茅 Scientifique series, and takes place as part of Techfest In September, Aberdeen鈥檚 annual festival of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM).
Professor Hurst said: 鈥淭he global issue of climate change and how it may threaten life as we know it - and specifically the future viability of some cities 鈥� is now high in the public consciousness.
鈥淕iven the geological foundations of many major cities it seems reasonable to examine how the development and growth of these cities may compromise their sustainability in a future where the dynamics of the planet appear to be increasingly aligned against them.
鈥淢y talk will focus on cities which appear to be high on Nature鈥檚 鈥榟it list鈥� and the geological processes that interest me in the context of these cities - those that can cause widespread destruction of life and infrastructure and threaten their continued existence, just like Hurricane Katrina did to New Orleans.
鈥淭hese processes include: earthquakes, floods, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions but also include more subtle events and processes such as land subsidence, depletion of water resources and, changes in sedimentation.鈥�
Professor Hurst鈥檚 talk Cities on Nature鈥檚 Hit List takes place on Wednesday September 15 at Waterstone鈥檚 Union Bridge branch beginning at 7pm.
Advance booking is not required for the event which is free to attend.
The full Caf茅 Scientifique programme of events can be found at:
For more information on events taking place as part of Techfest In September 鈥� which runs from September 10 鈥� 27 - visit or follow TechFest In September on Facebook and Twitter.