GIS Research and Map Collection

World Atlas of Natural Hazards Available from Ball State University Libraries

Hurricane Bill is looming in the Atlantic Ocean with a projected path toward Bermuda. The satellite image shown above is from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, showing Hurricane Bill as it strengthened to a powerful Category Four storm on Wednesday.

Researchers and students of climate, weather conditions, and natural hazards will find a valuable resource about these phenomena in the GIS Research and Map Collection on the second floor of Bracken Library—the World Atlas of Natural Hazards. This atlas was published in 2004 and provides comprehensive information about the full range of natural hazards, including volcanoes, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, freeze hazards, and windstorms, including hurricanes. The atlas covers historical natural disasters, their impacts, hazard avoidance, mitigation, and management, and future prospects related to climate change. The atlas incorporates colorful maps, satellite images, photographs, and graphs and charts.

The World Atlas of Natural Hazards is a reference item and can be used for research in the GRMC. Images and maps from the atlas can be scanned for users in the GRMC. (A map from the atlas above shows the typical tracks of hurricanes with red arrows. The green areas are the sources of tropical cyclones).

The GRMC also includes maps showing storms from various years in history, maps of Bermuda and other islands, and nautical charts of coastal areas around the world. All maps and charts circulate from the GRMC for two weeks or longer.

The GRMC is open from 8:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. from Monday through Friday. Contact the staff at 765/285-1097.