Disaster risk reduction efforts are lacking in many hazard-prone areas around the globe. Governmental initiatives in El Salvador sought to address challenges to disaster management that became evident following a series of disasters spanning 1998–2005. The region surrounding San Vicente volcano, El Salvador, has a history of disasters but, until recently, has received little attention toward hazard mitigation. The debrisflow disaster in November 2009, triggered by rains from Hurricane Ida, was the first time new systems were tested, and an in-depth review of the evolution of these systems is the focus of this paper. Faculty at the Universidad de El Salvador–Facultad Multi-disciplinaria Paracentral (UES-FMP), in San Vicente experienced the tragedy first-hand and perceived that chaotic project implementation, redundant objectives among various groups, and poor coordination hindered the effectiveness of postevent disaster risk reduction efforts. Poor potential-hazard awareness, no warning or monitoring systems, and unclear crisis-response responsibilities all contributed to >200 deaths in the region. UES-FMP agricultural sciences faculty led a comprehensive effort to identify weaknesses and improve plans for the next catastrophe. Their approach encompassed conceiving and implementing new research, field, and training activities for improving hazard understanding and communication in order to inform decision makers and the public. UES-FMP partnered with research and development groups to gather hydrometeorological data, model hazards, and train local stakeholders. UES-FMP encourages disaster risk reduction practitioners to focus on interdisciplinary methods to help guide project design. Experiences from San Vicente can be applied to improve disaster risk reduction and hazard research efforts in other areas.

The Michigan Technological University Peace Corps Master’s International (PCMI) program in mitigation of natural geological hazards combines Peace Corps service with a master’s degree in geology, geophysics, or geological engineering. The program provides students with a 2 yr international field experience, which helps to educate an adaptable, interculturally competent geoscientist. The challenges of conducting research while serving in the Peace Corps often provide opportunities for substantial learning and growth. A multiple-year evaluation of the PCMI program (2005–2013) suggests substantial impacts on students’ professional confidence and career aspirations. These conclusions are supported by data drawn from an objective-based evaluation of the Remote Sensing for Hazard Mitigation and Natural Resource Protection project, which supported the PCMI students. Instruments employed in the project assessment include the Intercultural Development Inventory, exit surveys, individual qualitative interviews, postparticipation tracking, and a comparison group survey. The small participant population and relatively short project duration, however, limit the definitiveness of the conclusions and how broadly they can be applied. These first 10 yr of this unique program have provided many lessons on the administration of a nontraditional international master’s degree program, including the difficulties of applying research to international development, funding, and advising students serving abroad in the Peace Corps. While the career paths of the program’s graduates remain in progress, the students’ unique skills and experiences are likely to be in demand given the global scope of many natural resource and environmental challenges.

The principal objective of this investigation was to delineate the geometry of the subterranean discharge of fresh melt water from Vitus Lake (VL) at the terminus of the Bering Glacier into the Gulf of Alaska (GoA). It was hypothesized that during the seasons where the glacier was exhibiting melting, increases in VL elevation would push freshwater through the moraine toward the GoA. Because of the proximity to the GoA, intruded seawater would lie below the freshwater. The fresh and salt waters were delineated by measuring variations in apparent resistivity—as a proxy for salinity—with depth using two-dimensional electrical resistivity tomography at a variety of locations between the GoA and VL. The surveys were conducted using Schlumberger and pole-dipole arrays, along with temporal surveys to examine tidal effects. The results of field surveys conducted in August 2007 and 2008 showed that an interface between the fresh and salt water exists within the moraine at depth and that the interface is deeper progressing from the GoA toward VL. Although the fresh/salt water interface was readily apparent proximal to the GoA, a distinct interface was not apparent closer to VL. The inability to measure a distinct interface could be due to depth limitations (~68 m) for the maximum array length (330 m) and/or mixing of fresh and seawater due to the seasonal effects on melting, which would likely result in seasonal changes in the interface.