This chapter discusses various examples of large-scale disasters to illustrate the governing phenomena and the wide range of spatial and temporal scales involved. Due to the multiscale nature of disasters, an overview of applicable multiscale modeling techniques for investigating and predicting the behavior of large-scale disasters is presented. It is hoped that multiscale modeling techniques may help predict disasters before they occur; monitor and recover property, infrastructures, and environment; and provide response and quick relief in terms of damage mapping, communications, logistics, and medical facilities.

Introduction

Large-scale disasters can be classified into two groups: manmade and natural, as shown in Figure 3.1. Manmade disasters can be classified into technological disasters and human-related disasters. Some examples of natural disasters include avalanches, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, thunderstorms, and wildfires. Transportation accidents, nuclear and radiation mishaps, nano/microparticle emissions from transportation vehicles, air and water pollution, structural collapses, and power and utility failures are examples of technological disasters. Human-related disasters include war, terrorism, sabotage, arson, civil unrest, and mass hysteria (see the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration document no. OR-OSHA 212, at www.cbs.state.or.us/external/osha/pdf/workshops/212i.pdf). Additional examples, as well as a detailed overview of the science of disasters, can be found in Bunde et al. (2002).