The U S. is better prepared than some countries, but not as well as Japan. Major concerns are in the Pacific Northwest, Alaska, New Mexico, and California. This research allows more effective dam design and more realistic flood risk estimates. Understanding landslides, mudflows, erosion, and land subsidence helps planning to minimize cropland erosion and property damage, maximize sustainable logging, and preserve stream quality and fish stocks. Growing population in and regions, especially in the U.S. Southwest, will depend on this new knowledge to satisfy its demand for water.
Geologic research shows that Earth's climate can change greatly over short time periods.
If society is prepared, it can respond successfully. A rapid warming trend today could submerge most coastal cities as polar ice melts and the oceans rise. Major meteorite impacts severely affect climate and cause massive extinctions. Such an impact 65 million years ago probably caused the extinction of the dinosaurs and many other life forms. Another big meteorite could be headed toward us at any time.