The Southern hurricane disasters have inspired a three-lecture series this fall quarter at the Institute of Governmental Affairs titled "Natural Disasters and Their Consequences."

Each of the three talks will take place noon-1 p.m. in the IGA Reading Room, 360 Shields Library.

On Oct. 13, UC Davis geologist Jeffrey Mount will deliver "Hell and High Water in California's Own Delta," drawing on parallels between the hurricane disasters in the South and the California Central Valley's potential for an earthquake or storm to wreak considerable damage to valley levees.

UC Davis environmental historian Ari Kelman will follow Mount on Oct. 25 to talk about "Built in Harm's Way: New Orleans' History of Disaster and Renewal." Kelman is the author of "A River and Its City: The Nature of Landscape in New Orleans."

The last talk will be on Nov. 29 when UC Davis labor economist Elizabeth Cascio delivers "Hurricanes and Human Capital." It will address the long-run socioeconomic consequences of natural disasters. Her research concerns the economics of education and has focused on the role of public schools in promoting equal opportunity.