natural hazard

Let the ash fall, but get ready for its consequences

Francisco Cáceres May 27, 2019

Figure 1. May 18th, 1980 eruption of Mt St Helens eruption. Images from UGSG

The past 18th May marked 39 years since one of the most emblematic volcanic eruptions in historic times: the 1980 Mt St Helens explosive eruption. With a death toll of 57 victims, it is the deadliest volcanic event in U.S. history. If that wasn’t enough, it also destroyed hundreds of houses and roads. When we think about explosive volcanic eruptions what commonly comes in our minds about the possi ...[Read More]

The CRED presents the bill: the socio-economic cost of natural hazards.

Vale Cigala March 20, 2019

Fig. 1 Flood at Trans-en-Provence (Var - France) June 2010, photo credit: Dimitri Defrance (distributed via imaggeo.egu.eu)

Which type of natural hazard is the most frequent? And which one causes the largest economic losses? Which populations are mainly affected? What are the necessary steps to reduce natural hazards’ impact? If you have ever wondered about any of these questions, you’d be interested to know that there is an institute answering all of them with a series of reports and ad hoc publications. We are ...[Read More]

The collapse of Anak Krakatau volcano: a scenario envisaged

Vale Cigala February 4, 2019

Anak Krakatau August 2018. Photo credit: James Reynolds (EarthUncutTV) with permission.

The volcano ID Krakatoa or Krakatau, in Indonesia, is part of the Ujung Kulon National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage property, and among the most (in)famous volcanoes in the world. From a geological point of view, it is part of the Indonesian island arc system generated by the north-eastward subduction of the Indo-Australian plate (Figure 1). Krakatau is now a caldera type of volcano thanks to the ...[Read More]

Heavy metals in industrial wastewater: hazardous waste or secondary resource?

Vale Cigala August 13, 2018

Not long ago on the blog, we have talked about natural groundwater quality triggered by geogenic factors and related hazards such as a high concentration of heavy metals. Today’s topic concerns the anthropogenic input of heavy metals into the water and how to tackle its effects efficiently. Industrial processes can lead to heavy metal-bearing wastewater, which is commonly treated by ineffi ...[Read More]