Mission
The Hazards and Vulnerability Research Institute (HVRI) is an
interdisciplinary research and graduate and undergraduate training center
focused on the development of theory, data, metrics, methods, applications,
and spatial analytical models for understanding the newly emergent field of
hazard vulnerability science.
In addition to basic research, HVRI
facilitates local, state, & federal government efforts to improve emergency
preparedness, planning, and response and disaster resilience through its
outreach activities. These activities include providing technical assistance
to and translational products for the practitioner community as well as
training emergency managers in GIS applications.
Partnerships with federal, state, and local emergency managers will continue
as an important component of the Institute’s purpose and mission.
This Month in Disaster History
1976 Guatemala Earthquake
The February 4, 1976 early morning earthquake was one of the most destructive in the country's
history. In its wake, the temblor left more than 23,000 people dead and tens of thousands more
injured. Most of the adobe structures in Guatemala City and surrounding areas were completely
destroyed by the magnitude 7.5 quake.
More information is available from
USGS.