Thinking of powerful natural events like volcanic eruptions and tsunamis only as hazards undervalues their importance in our lives. This module suggests taking a case study approach featuring Vesuvius of 75 AD, the San Francisco earthquake of 1906, and the South Asian tsunami of 2004 to learn about earthquakes and volcanic eruptions as players in the dynamic system that has shaped the environment of Earth s surface throughout history. Key concepts include the components of Earth"s systems, the hazards that volcanoes and earthquakes present, and how to reduce the risks associated with them.