Natural disasters are an inevitable part of the world we live in. This programme examines how we respond to overwhelming natural forces which place lives, property and resources in danger. Specifically, we look at: - Earthquakes, volcanoes, floods and bush fires. - The nature, causes and effects of these natural hazards and human responses to them. - The global distribution of earthquakes and volcanoes and their relationship with the boundaries of the crustal plates. - A case study of Wellington, New Zealand, preparing for a major earthquake.