ABSTRACT

In this chapter attention is centred on earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. These are highly energetic natural events that occur irrespective and independently of social action and any modification of the environment. We mention the significance of human action in relation to these natural trigger events in order to highlight not the insignificance of humanity in relation to these geological processes, but to underscore the fact that human action and inaction can nevertheless impact upon the outcomes of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.