Large-scale natural hazards such as avalanches, landslides and volcanic ash flows abound in our natural environment, frequently causing death and disaster. Our understanding of these hazards remains a major challenge, but it is one that is currently receiving considerable attention.

At a meeting to be held in Bristol between 27-31 October, leading scientists from around the world will come together to announce the latest results from their research into the processes that cause these events.

The meeting in Bristol will provide an unparalleled opportunity for environmental scientists whose aim is to understand geological processes to interact with mathematicians, physicists and engineers who are developing new theoretical models of these flows. The meeting is part of the current visitor programme at the Isaac Newton Institute, Cambridge.

Dr Andrew Hogg, from the Department of Mathematics at Bristol University and one of the organisers of the meeting, said: 'This is an exciting area of research, not only because naturally occurring examples are often large-scale and dramatic, but also because there is much to do and many open questions. Our understanding of these events is far from complete.

'Advances are made by combining laboratory and field observations with novel theoretical insights. The forthcoming meeting is a fantastic opportunity - many of the leading researchers will be in Bristol and I expect our understanding of these flows to be significantly developed.'

The meeting will be held at the ARKive Theatre, At-Bristol, Harbourside, Bristol on 27-31 October 2003. This conference is part of an international visitor programme currently being held at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, which is the UK's National Research Institute for Mathematics.