disasters risk Archives - Page 2 of 5

Mar172025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Small Quakes Big Shakes Mexico City Faces Unexpected Seismic Threat

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

recent study has revealed that a series of small, shallow earthquakes in Mexico City in 2019 and 2023 caused unexpectedly strong ground shaking, raising concerns about the impact of future moderate-sized quakes on the city's buildings. The findings, published in the Bulletin of the Seismological Society of America, suggest that even moderate tremors could cause significant damage, depending on the region’s underlying geology. Researchers Miguel Jaimes and Gerardo Suárez from Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México analyzed potential damage scenarios for three key areas within the Mexico City basin, modeling earthquakes up to magnitude 5.5. Their simulations were based on past seismic events, including a 2023 quake in La Magdalena Contreras, the 2018 San Juan de Aragón earthquake, and ea...

Feb262025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Colombia Landmark Disaster Risk Assessment to Strengthen National Resilience

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

In a bold step toward fortifying national safety, Colombia has launched a comprehensive disaster risk assessment covering all 1,122 municipalities, marking a milestone in resilience planning. The initiative, spearheaded by the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD) in collaboration with the Pacific Disaster Center (PDC), represents a breakthrough in disaster preparedness, leveraging cutting-edge data analysis to mitigate threats ranging from landslides to extreme weather events. Colombia, one of the most disaster-prone nations in Latin America and the Caribbean, has already been implementing major risk reduction measures, including a landslide early warning system in Medellín, transportation infrastructure upgrades, and urban greenway projects designed to combat extreme heat...

Feb252025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Mild Earthquake Jolts Dhaka Bangladesh Coastal Regions Feel Stronger Tremors

Breaking News, Disasters

A 5.1-magnitude earthquake was felt in Dhaka and several parts of Bangladesh at 6:40 a.m. on Tuesday. The tremor, originating in the Bay of Bengal near India, had minimal impact in Bangladesh, according to the Bangladesh Meteorological Department. Officials from the department’s Earthquake Monitoring and Research Center classified it as a moderate quake, with its epicenter located underwater near West Bengal and Odisha. While the tremors in Bangladesh were mild, coastal districts experienced stronger shaking due to their proximity to the epicenter, which was 501 kilometers away. The earthquake was more intense along the coastal regions of West Bengal and Odisha, where residents reported noticeable tremors. Authorities have not reported any major damages or casualties. From News De...

Feb202025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Burundi Faces Rising Challenges as Climate Disasters Magnify Vulnerabilities

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Fact Check

In April 2024, torrential rains in southwestern Burundi triggered a devastating landslide in Gabaniro village, Rumonge province. Nearly 500 homes were flattened, one child was killed, and 2,500 residents were left homeless. Alongside the tragic loss of life, 500 hectares of cropland were destroyed, threatening livelihoods in one of the country’s most vulnerable regions. Survivors are struggling to recover from the disaster. Evangélique Hatungimana, a resident of Gabaniro, recalled the terror of the event. "We have been living in constant fear since witnessing something we never thought possible," she told Dialogue Earth. In nearby Mubone, Christine Tuyisenge’s home now bears deep cracks from the flooding. "When it rains, I take my children and leave the house for fear it will be swept a...

Feb142025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

New Study Reveals Why Rock-Ice Avalanches Travel Farther, Proposes Key Friction Equation

Breaking News, Learning & Developments

Rock avalanches are a significant hazard in mountainous regions, but when ice is present, the risk escalates dramatically. In colder regions, rock-ice avalanches avalanches consisting of both rock and ice tend to travel much farther than those made up of rock alone. Despite this well-known behavior, scientists have long struggled to understand the exact mechanism behind this increased mobility. A recent study led by Fan et al. [2024] sheds new light on this mystery using advanced experimental methods. The researchers developed a state-of-the-art flume setup equipped with high-speed cameras that can operate at temperatures as low as −10°C. This allowed them to closely observe how ice fragments interact with rock fragments during avalanche simulations, offering unprecedented insight into ...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Satellite Data Reveals Warning Signs Before Anak Krakatau Tsunami Disaster

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

A new study has revealed that Indonesia’s Anak Krakatau volcano, which collapsed in a devastating 2018 eruption and triggered a deadly tsunami, had been slipping for years showing warning signs that could have been detected in advance. Researchers at Penn State analyzed satellite data and found that the mountainside had been slowly shifting before its collapse, offering valuable insight into predicting similar disasters in the future. Published in Geophysical Research Letters, the study used a technique called Interferometric Synthetic Aperture Radar (InSAR) to track surface deformation over a 12-year period. The analysis showed that the detachment fault beneath Anak Krakatau experienced approximately 15 meters (50 feet) of movement from 2006 to 2018, with notable acceleration just befo...

Feb112025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Without FEMA Disaster Recovery Could Crumble, Are States Ready to Go It Alone?

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Fact Check

ruins and millions in urgent need of aid. In such a crisis, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) would typically deploy supplies, financial relief, and emergency assistance within hours. But what if FEMA no longer existed, and states had to handle disasters alone? With former President Donald Trump questioning FEMA’s future and proposing that states take over disaster recovery efforts, the debate over disaster management is more relevant than ever. Climate change is driving more frequent and severe catastrophes, raising concerns about whether states could cope without federal assistance. Role of FEMA in Disaster Relief FEMA was established in 1979 to coordinate national disaster response efforts, but the federal government has been involved in relief efforts since the 18...

Feb102025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

State of Emergency Declared in Santorini as Earthquake Swarm Intensifies

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters

The Greek government has declared a state of emergency on the island of Santorini as the region experiences a relentless series of earthquakes. The "earthquake swarm," which began as minor tremors in late January, has escalated into a significant seismic event, shaking the island multiple times a day. The tremors are also affecting nearby islands in the Aegean Sea, with some quakes occurring just minutes apart. Escalating Seismic Activity Over the past two weeks, seismologists have recorded thousands of earthquakes, with as many as 30 daily exceeding magnitude 4.0. The largest so far, a magnitude 5.1 quake on February 6, was felt in Athens, Crete, and even parts of Turkey, more than 240 kilometers away. The earthquakes, occurring at depths of less than 10 kilometers, are shallow enou...

Feb82025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Canada over 540,000 New Homes Built in flood-prone Areas to Tackle climate risks

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Learning & Developments

A groundbreaking report highlights how Canada can tackle its housing needs while avoiding catastrophic climate risks. It’s the first study in the country to quantify the economic damage of building homes in flood and wildfire-prone areas, urging a shift away from hazard zones to save billions and protect communities. The analysis warns that by 2030, over 540,000 new homes could be built in flood-prone areas, leading to $2 billion in annual damages. The financial burden will hit Manitoba and the Yukon hardest, with each new home in high-risk zones adding $1,200 per year in extra costs. The report calls for urgent action, recommending that housing developments be placed in safer areas. By planning smarter, Canada can prevent escalating disaster costs while ensuring its citizens have se...

Feb72025 by Editor DeskNo Comments

Earthquake Hotspots: Why Suburban Areas Face Greater Devastation

Breaking News, Climate Actions, Disasters, Environment

A vast majority of earthquakes occur within the infamous Ring of Fire, a seismic hotspot encircling the Pacific Ocean. Yet, when these earthquakes strike, the areas that experience the most intense shaking aren’t always the ones that suffer the worst destruction. Recent research has uncovered a hidden factor contributing to earthquake devastation: migration patterns and housing vulnerabilities. The 1999 Chi-Chi Earthquake: A Case Study Taiwan’s catastrophic Chi-Chi earthquake in 1999, which claimed over 2,400 lives, presented an unexpected pattern of destruction. Contrary to expectations, the worst damage was not in the bustling city centers but in the suburbs and outer regions. Similar trends have been observed in earthquakes that hit China, Chile, and Nepal, raising questions about...