Extreme natural events regularly lead to catastrophes with dramatic consequences and reveal considerable deficits hindering their effective management: Needs include systematic risk evaluation, a way to assess countermeasures, and decision support systems to be employed before, during and after crisis situations.

The purpose of this research is to develop, apply and link technologies and methodologies for integrated disaster management which includes both prevention and management. The focus is on monitoring hazards and the vulnerability of endangered areas with satellite, aerial and ground-based instruments, on developing simulation systems to analyze, quantify and predict risks, and on providing information products for disaster management.

• Information management, simulation and early warning of disastrous floods
• Analysis and early warning of storm tides and ship accidents in coastal areas
• Disaster mitigation for megacities
• Monitoring fires and volcanoes
• Development of crisis information systems

The scientific challenges consist especially in achieving effective networking across the different disciplines involved and in intensifying links with disaster management teams. Scientific and technological progress can only lead to reduced damage from natural disasters if it is possible to develop useful prevention strategies and operational tools for disaster management in close cooperation with decision makers and potential users.