Human history has been periodically punctuated by natural disasters, from Vesuvius' eruption to the modern-day COVID-19 pandemic. Volcanoes have buried entire cities, while earthquakes have reduced structures to smoldering ruins. Floods and cyclones have wreaked havoc on river valleys and coastlines, and desertification and climate change have weakened society's underpinnings. Death tolls are often escalated by starvation and illness, which frequently occur in tandem. This second edition assesses the impact of natural disasters on human society and the effectiveness of various strategies developed to reduce their effects. This book addresses the interconnectivity of disaster and human responsibility. Chapters examine 23 updated case studies, including a new chapter on the 2011 Tōhoku tsunami and the ensuing Fukushima nuclear disaster.