Natural disasters - Geospatial and temporal distribution: Prirodne katastofe - geoprostorna i vremenska distribucija

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Abstract

Natural disasters have always instilled fear in humans, and throughout history, they have attributed various meanings to them while simultaneously attempting to find different reasons for their occurrence, or to explain them. The fact that the number of natural disasters has significantly increased in recent decades, resulting in an increasing number of victims and particularly heightened material damage, is attributed to both the number of disasters on one hand, and the process of ultra-rapid anthropogenic activity by humans on the other hand. Before you is a manuscript that is the result of collaborative work by authors who have the modest goal of acquainting readers with the theoretical foundations of understanding natural disasters, as well as their temporal and geographical distribution. It is primarily intended for students of the Faculty of Security, as well as students of other related faculties, but as authors, we are convinced that it could also spark the interest of the professional and broader public who are directly or indirectly acquainted with the phenomenon of natural disasters. This platform also serves as an opportunity to thank the Faculty of Security - Skopje, which, as part of its publishing activities, wholeheartedly supported the publication of this text. We also thank the reviewers, Prof. Dr. Jove Talevski from the Pedagogical Faculty in Bitola, Prof. Dr. Marina Mališ-Sazdovska from the Faculty of Security - Skopje, as well as Prof. Dr. Jasmina Gačić from the Faculty of Security in Belgrade for their support, understanding, and motivation to see this text come to light. Analyzing the numbers, trends, consequences, temporal, and geographical distribution of earthquakes from 1900 to 2013, it can be highlighted that in terms of the total number of earthquakes by continent during the aforementioned period, most earthquakes occurred in Asia, followed by America, Europe, Africa, and the least in Oceania. Looking at the continents, Asia had the most fatalities, while Oceania had the fewest. Asia also had the highest number of injuries, affected individuals, and those left homeless, while Oceania had the least. However, the reported earthquake numbers by continent do not correspond to the magnitude of consequences. In fact, in Asia, compared to the total number of earthquakes, the consequences are greater (e.g., more fatalities) compared to America, Europe, and Oceania. This can partly be explained by population density, levels of attentiveness to urban construction measures, geological predispositions, and other factors specific to the Asian geographical space. Regarding countries, most earthquakes occurred in China (277), followed by Indonesia (233), Iran (206), Turkey (152), and Japan (115). China also leads in terms of fatalities (1,751,161), followed by Haiti, Indonesia, Japan, and the USA. Out of the total number of earthquakes (2475), the highest number occurred between 2000 and 2013 (27.94%), and the fewest between 1910 and 1920 (1.98%). Similarly, out of the total fatalities (5,128,349), the highest number occurred between 2000 and 2013 (27.76%), and the fewest between 1950 and 1960 (1.46%). The obtained and processed data indicate the potential threat to national geographic spaces, considering that Europe ranks third in potential earthquake hazard indicators. Furthermore, the results suggest increased frequency and greater human and material losses in the last 13 years compared to similar time frames within the observed period. Thus, a continuation of such a trend can be expected in the future. Earthquakes that occurred in the geographical space of Serbia in the last 30 years, to some extent, confirm the aforementioned claim. Analyzing the numbers, trends, consequences, temporal, and geographical distribution of volcanic eruptions from 1900 to 2013, it can be highlighted that after earthquakes, volcanic eruptions are the most common geophysical hazard. Between 1900 and 2013, a total of 452 volcanic eruptions occurred, resulting in 192,624 fatalities, 23,238 injuries, and affecting 9,789,114 people. Additionally, 751,580 people were left homeless as a result of volcanic eruptions. Considering their potential occurrence locations, it's not surprising that most volcanic eruptions occurred in Asia, and the least in Europe. However, the most fatalities occurred in America, while Asia had the most injuries. Of course, Europe had the fewest fatalities, injuries, and affected individuals. Generally, the reported numbers of volcanic eruptions by continent correspond to the magnitude of consequences. Looking at volcanic eruptions at the country level, most occurred in Argentina, followed by Cameroon, Cape Verde, Chile, and Colombia. In terms of fatalities, Martinique, Colombia, Indonesia, and Guatemala topped the list. The fact that the number of volcanic eruptions does not directly correlate with the number of fatalities at the national level speaks to numerous factors influencing these two variables (structural and non-structural measures for the protection of people, property, and the environment). Until 1970, volcanic eruptions occurred within a certain average (5%), but after that period, there was a significant increase, reaching its peak (30.09%) between 2000 and 2013. This suggests a potential continuation of this trend in the future. Naturally, the fewest eruptions occurred between 1920 and 1940. It's particularly interesting to note that the most fatalities occurred between 1900 and 1910 (89,874), while the fewest occurred between 2000 and 2013 (1,126). Analyzing the spatial distribution of fires by continents, it can be concluded that the largest number of fires have affected the geographical area of America (35%), while Africa ranks last, at 7%. Statistical data also show that the consequences of forest fires vary. For example, the highest number of fatalities occurred in America (42.44%), while in Africa, it was the lowest (14.13%). However, the highest number of injuries was in Europe (37.07%), with the lowest in America (12.78%). Asia had the most affected individuals (55.30%), while Africa had the fewest (0.16%). The highest number of people left homeless was in Asia (48.60%), and the fewest in Europe (4.76%). Previous examinations have shown that from 1900 to 2013, the most forest fires occurred in countries with large geographical areas - the USA, China, Australia, Russia, and Canada. Analyzing the numbers, trends, consequences, as well as the temporal and spatial distribution of droughts from 1900 to 2013, leads to various conclusions. Regarding the geographical distribution of droughts, it can be concluded that the most droughts occurred in Africa, and the fewest in Oceania. The most fatalities, injuries, and affected individuals were in Asia, while the fewest were in Oceania. The most droughts occurred in China, Brazil, Ethiopia, India, and Kenya. Regarding the temporal distribution, the most droughts occurred in 1999, 1983, followed by 2000, 1980, and 2002. The highest number of fatalities as a result of droughts was during 1928, then 1943, 1965, 1942, and 1900. The most affected individuals as a result of droughts were during 1987, 1972, 1982, and 1999. The highest estimated material damage occurred in 2012, then 1994, 1999, 2011, and 2002. From 1900 to 2013, there were 25,552 natural disasters. These resulted in 65,009,766 deaths, 15,221,227 injuries, 13,566,647,548 affected individuals, and 337,112,287 people left homeless. The total material damage amounted to 5,066,645,713 US dollars. Floods were the most common type of disaster, while landslides and avalanches were the least common. The most fatalities occurred as a result of droughts, injuries due to extreme temperatures, and affected individuals due to floods. The highest total material damage resulted from storms. The fewest fatalities occurred as a result of insect infections, injuries from forest fires, affected individuals from landslides and avalanches, people left homeless due to epidemics, insect infections, and landslides and avalanches, and material damage caused by epidemics, insect infections, and landslides and avalanches. Most natural disasters occurred in Asia, and the fewest in Oceania. This distribution correlates with the distribution of consequences by continent. Regarding temporal intervals, the most natural disasters occurred from 2000 to 2013, while the fewest occurred from 1910 to 1920. Among them, the most fatalities occurred from 1900 to 1910, and the fewest from 1990 to 2000. The most injuries occurred from 2000 to 2013, and the fewest from 1900 to 1910. The most affected individuals were from 2000 to 2013, and the fewest from 1900 to 1910. From 2000 to 2013, there were the most people left homeless, and the fewest from 1940 to 1950. Referenca - Ivanov, A., & Cvetković, V. (2016). Prirodne katastrofe - geoprostorna i vremenska distribucija. Skopje: Fakultet za bezbednost.
Original languageUndefined/Unknown
Publication statusPublished - 2016

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