Disasters as Turning Points

Major disasters can be catalysts for change, prompting shifts in our worldviews and inspiring innovations in research, policy, and practice. The Natural Hazards Center’s Disasters as Turning Points webinar series explores events that have altered the trajectory of the hazards and disaster field through conversations with the people who studied or responded to them.

These free, one-hour panel sessions feature inspiring speakers who will revisit major disasters five, 10, 15, or 20 years later. Through retrospection, the series seeks to illuminate progress made, while calling attention to missed opportunities for change.

To learn more about this series and to receive alerts about future sessions, please subscribe to webinar updates through the Natural Hazards Center.

Webinar Series

Christchurch Earthquake Sequence at 15

February 24, 2026, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. MDT / February 25, 2026, 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. NZT

Speakers:

Sarah Beaven, University of Canterbury|Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha
Julia Becker, Massey University |Te Kunenga Ki Purehuro
Ken Elwood, University of Aukland|Waipapa Taumata Rau
Tom Wilson, University of Canterbury|Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha

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Tōhoku-oki Earthquake and Tsunami at 15

Tuesday, March 10, 2026, 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. MDT / Wednesday, March 11, 2026, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. JST 2011

Speakers:
Coming soon!

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The Joplin Tornado at 15

Tuesday, May 19, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT

Speakers:
Coming soon!

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25 Years Since 9/11

Tuesday, September 8, 2026, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. MDT

Speakers:
Coming soon!

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This webinar series is funded by the National Science Foundation, Division of Civil, Mechanical, and Manufacturing Innovation (CMMI), Program on Infrastructure Systems and People (Award #1635593 and Award #2536173). Opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations shared as part of this series do not necessarily reflect the views of the NSF or Natural Hazards Center.