Natural and Anthropogenic Disasters in the Scope of Present Day Science: Lessons from the Past and Solutions for the Future
Abstract
As is well known, the primitive man, who went hunting and collected fruit, and, later on, developed farming and livestock breeding, had the only aim - to obtain subsistence means. He could not and did not have sufficient knowledge, means, equipment, etc., to forecast and, moreover, prevent natural disasters like earthquakes, volcanoes, drought, fire, flood, and others. Today, in the years of the culmination of science development and modern, advanced equipment, man would be able to forecast disasters; however, he either cannot forecast them timely, in order to avoid material and human casualties, or he manages to forecast, but is unable to prevent them. Thus, even at its present level, science is not ‘strong’ enough to ensure security. That is why it is necessary that natural disasters be classified, measures of forecasting them and ensuring security be carried out, and a complex approach to the in-depth study and solution of issues retaining in present day science be used.