This volume is the result of the International IDNDR-Conference on Early Warning Systems for the Reduction of Natural Disasters, held at the Geo ForschungsZentrum in Potsdam, Germany from 7-11 September 1998. En dorsed by the United Nations International Decade for Natural Disasters Reduc tion which had been established by the United Nations General Assembly in December 1989, it was jointly organised by the GeoForschungsZentrum Pots dam and the German IDNDR-Committee. The event brought together 370 scientists, public officials, and representatives of the United Nations system,...