About NatHazMap.com

Natural hazards maps, or "nathazmaps" for short, are tools used in the identification, assessment, and management of geologic, environmental, and other natural hazards and disasters. With considerable overlap between the government agencies, organizations, academic institutions, and private businesses involved in natural hazards mapping, finding good natural hazards maps was no easy task...until now!

Much has been written about hazards and is available on the internet. When it comes to finding out more about the hazards actually affecting you, what you need is not a science lesson but a map.  NatHazMap.com can help you find environmental, geologic, and natural hazards, risk, and danger maps as well as other mapping, GIS, and interactive map viewer resources. All hazards are different and the various systems of mapping them are different as well. In addition, many hazards are interrelated, and can cause, or are influenced by, the presence of other natural hazards.

Natural hazard maps are a rapidly growing cartographic genre thanks to advances in GIS (Geographic Information Systems) and GPS (Global Positioning System) technology. A modern natural hazard map can be as simple as a hand-drawn map depicting a single hazard or as complex as an online application using multiple GIS-generated natural hazard data layers. Depending on the map, the user, and the situation, either one could be equally useful (or useless).

This site was created to help average citizens, students, and professionals alike navigate the maze of information available on the internet and find the hazard maps that they're looking for or, at least find out that they don't yet exist. Consider NatHazMap.com a map of maps, the mapper of mapping, the cartographer of cartography. We map maps so that you can find them. The internet is a big place, and to avoid getting lost everyone needs a map. 

This site is evolving. Look for maps and additional state, local, and hazard-specific links to be added regularly. If you have any questions, suggestions, comments, or to advertise: contact us

To promote the use of natural hazard maps and further the development of natural hazard mapping as a distinct cartographic genre in order to reduce property damage, losses, and suffering as a result of natural disasters by helping make natural hazard maps and information more available .

About the founder/primary author:

The founder of this site holds a B.S. in Geology and has a special interest in natural hazards research and management. The founder has worked professionally in avalanche control, rockfall mitigation, and environmental health regulation. The founder also has experience with managing natural hazards exposure while working as a mountain, backcountry skiing, and whitewater river guide.