1.

That tsunami warning systems in the Pacific Ocean have proven to be effective over several decades, that no such comprehensive system exists for the Indian or Atlantic Oceans, that such systems employing traditional and new space-based technologies in these oceans could prevent loss of life if predictions were timely and warnings were heeded;

2.

That tsunamis are triggered not only by earthquakes, but also by volcanic eruptions and landslides; and that these hazards, especially landslides, extend to all oceans and their margins;

3.

That on-land landslides, earthquakes, floods, and volcanic eruptions constitute significant potential for natural disasters, and that terrestrial landslides are perhaps the most damaging of all;

4.

That a substantial portion, if not most, of the global human population resides in areas characterized by significant risk of the occurrence of natural disasters;

5.

That the tendency of the International Community to concentrate on reaction to natural hazards, rather than on preparation and their mitigation, operates to increase their cost to amounts much greater than that of preparation and mitigation;

6.

That the lack of education in and awareness of Geological Sciences worldwide tends to decrease awareness of the possibility of natural disasters and thus exacerbate their human and economic toll when they inevitably occur;

7.

That in the aftermath of a natural disaster, widespread knowledge of the geological sciences and of existing technology could assist rescue agencies and civil defense managers to obtain faster understanding of the extent of the damage from the event and how to cope with it;

8.

That the reduction of the predictive uncertainity of a natural disaster is the most important issue in natural hazards reduction, but that reduction requires a thorough understanding of the nature of the geological processes giving rise to the disaster.

1.

That systems and procedures be established for early warning, developing public awareness including Geological Science education, regional evacuation routes, and shelters with locations based on appropriate geological information, including maps of existing geological hazards;

2.

That comprehensive education in the Geological Sciences, including knowledge of local geological hazards and their risk, become an integral part of education systems at all levels and in all countries;

3.

That regional disaster management systems be organized where they do not now exist, and that existing disaster management systems be made more effective, and that these systems take steps effectively to monitor known indicators of all natural disasters;

4.

That multidisciplinary and multinational research programs and research networks on Geological hazards and risks be developed to improve the professional and public awareness of and understanding of the phenomena associated with such hazards, and that efforts be increased to develop forecasting capability of such hazards, and

1.

To promote the development and application of scientific expertise and experience in understanding the geological forces at work in the development of all types of natural hazards and the processes involved in their mitigation of natural hazards;

2.

To share this information as freely as possible with other members of the scientific community, government officials, policy makers and planners, the insurance industry, and the public as a whole.