Natural hazards (2003) | Natural hazards (2006) | ||
Afghanistan | damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts | damaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains; flooding; droughts | |
Albania | destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought | destructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwestern coast; floods; drought | |
Algeria | mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season | mountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslides and floods in rainy season | |
American Samoa | typhoons common from December to March | typhoons common from December to March | |
Andorra | avalanches | avalanches | |
Angola | locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau | locally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau | |
Anguilla | frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) | frequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July to October) | |
Antarctica | katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf | katabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from the high interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau; cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along the coast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of West Antarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs may calve from ice shelf | |
Antigua and Barbuda | hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts | hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October); periodic droughts | |
Arctic Ocean | ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May | ice islands occasionally break away from northern Ellesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenland and extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtually ice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructure icing from October to May | |
Argentina | San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the Pampas and northeast; heavy flooding | San Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andes subject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that can strike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding | |
Armenia | occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts | occasionally severe earthquakes; droughts | |
Aruba | lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt | lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt | |
Ashmore and Cartier Islands | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | surrounded by shoals and reefs that can pose maritime hazards | |
Atlantic Ocean | icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) | icebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, and the northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and have been spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic from October to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May to September; hurricanes (May to December) | |
Australia | cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires | cyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest fires | |
Austria | landslides; avalanches; earthquakes | landslides; avalanches; earthquakes | |
Azerbaijan | droughts | droughts | |
Bahamas, The | hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage | hurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensive flood and wind damage | |
Bahrain | periodic droughts; dust storms | periodic droughts; dust storms | |
Baker Island | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | |
Bangladesh | droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season | droughts, cyclones; much of the country routinely inundated during the summer monsoon season | |
Barbados | infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides | infrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides | |
Bassas da India | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones | maritime hazard since it is usually under water during high tide and surrounded by reefs; subject to periodic cyclones | |
Belarus | NA | NA | |
Belgium | flooding is a threat in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes | flooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimed coastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes | |
Belize | frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) | frequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) and coastal flooding (especially in south) | |
Benin | hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March | hot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from December to March | |
Bermuda | hurricanes (June to November) | hurricanes (June to November) | |
Bhutan | violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season | violent storms from the Himalayas are the source of the country's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon; frequent landslides during the rainy season | |
Bolivia | flooding in the northeast (March-April) | flooding in the northeast (March-April) | |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | destructive earthquakes | destructive earthquakes | |
Botswana | periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility | periodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from the west, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscure visibility | |
Bouvet Island | NA | NA | |
Brazil | recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south | recurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frost in south | |
British Indian Ocean Territory | NA | NA | |
British Virgin Islands | hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) | hurricanes and tropical storms (July to October) | |
Brunei | typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare | typhoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare | |
Bulgaria | earthquakes, landslides | earthquakes, landslides | |
Burkina Faso | recurring droughts | recurring droughts | |
Burma | destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts | destructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslides common during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts | |
Burundi | flooding, landslides, drought | flooding, landslides, drought | |
Cambodia | monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts | monsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasional droughts | |
Cameroon | volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes | volcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gases from Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoes | |
Canada | continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains | continuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle to development; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, a result of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, and North American interior, and produce most of the country's rain and snow east of the mountains | |
Cape Verde | prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active | prolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind produces obscuring dust; volcanically and seismically active | |
Cayman Islands | hurricanes (July to November) | hurricanes (July to November) | |
Central African Republic | hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common | hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affect northern areas; floods are common | |
Chad | hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues | hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues | |
Chile | severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis | severe earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamis | |
China | frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence | frequent typhoons (about five per year along southern and eastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts; land subsidence | |
Christmas Island | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | |
Clipperton Island | NA | NA | |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | cyclone season is October to April | cyclone season is October to April | |
Colombia | highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts | highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional earthquakes; periodic droughts | |
Comoros | cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano | cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April); Le Kartala on Grand Comore is an active volcano | |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes | periodic droughts in south; Congo River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley, there are active volcanoes | |
Congo, Republic of the | seasonal flooding | seasonal flooding | |
Cook Islands | typhoons (November to March) | typhoons (November to March) | |
Coral Sea Islands | occasional tropical cyclones | occasional tropical cyclones | |
Costa Rica | occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes | occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast; frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and landslides; active volcanoes | |
Cote d'Ivoire | coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible | coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during the rainy season torrential flooding is possible | |
Croatia | destructive earthquakes | destructive earthquakes | |
Cuba | the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to October (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common | the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November (in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other year); droughts are common | |
Cyprus | moderate earthquake activity; droughts | moderate earthquake activity; droughts | |
Czech Republic | flooding | flooding | |
Denmark | flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes | flooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g., parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland) that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes | |
Djibouti | earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods | earthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbances from the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floods | |
Dominica | flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months | flash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanes can be expected during the late summer months | |
Dominican Republic | lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts | lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding; periodic droughts | |
East Timor | floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones | floods and landslides are common; earthquakes, tsunamis, tropical cyclones | |
Ecuador | frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts | frequent earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity; floods; periodic droughts | |
Egypt | periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms | periodic droughts; frequent earthquakes, flash floods, landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring; dust storms, sandstorms | |
El Salvador | known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes very destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes | known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible to hurricanes | |
Equatorial Guinea | violent windstorms, flash floods | violent windstorms, flash floods | |
Eritrea | frequent droughts; locust swarms | frequent droughts; locust swarms | |
Estonia | sometimes flooding occurs in the spring | sometimes flooding occurs in the spring | |
Ethiopia | geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts | geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts | |
Europa Island | NA | NA | |
European Union | - | flooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainous area; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy; periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic | |
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) | strong winds persist throughout the year | strong winds persist throughout the year | |
Faroe Islands | NA | NA | |
Fiji | cyclonic storms can occur from November to January | cyclonic storms can occur from November to January | |
Finland | NA | NA | |
France | flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean | flooding; avalanches; midwinter windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean | |
French Guiana | high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding | high frequency of heavy showers and severe thunderstorms; flooding | |
French Polynesia | occasional cyclonic storms in January | occasional cyclonic storms in January | |
French Southern and Antarctic Lands | Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes | Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul are extinct volcanoes | |
Gabon | NA | NA | |
Gambia, The | drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) | drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30 years) | |
Gaza Strip | droughts | droughts | |
Georgia | earthquakes | earthquakes | |
Germany | flooding | flooding | |
Ghana | dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts | dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to March; droughts | |
Gibraltar | NA | NA | |
Glorioso Islands | periodic cyclones | periodic cyclones | |
Greece | severe earthquakes | severe earthquakes | |
Greenland | continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island | continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the island | |
Grenada | lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November | lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from June to November | |
Guadeloupe | hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano | hurricanes (June to October); Soufriere de Guadeloupe is an active volcano | |
Guam | frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) | frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare, but potentially very destructive typhoons (June - December) | |
Guatemala | numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms | numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and other tropical storms | |
Guernsey | NA | NA | |
Guinea | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season | |
Guinea-Bissau | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires | hot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility during dry season; brush fires | |
Guyana | flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons | flash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons | |
Haiti | lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts | lies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes; periodic droughts | |
Heard Island and McDonald Islands | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island | Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is on Heard Island | |
Holy See (Vatican City) | NA | NA | |
Honduras | frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast | frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean coast | |
Hong Kong | occasional typhoons | occasional typhoons | |
Howland Island | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard | |
Iceland | earthquakes and volcanic activity | earthquakes and volcanic activity | |
Iles Eparses | - | all islands subject to periodic cyclones
Bassas da India: maritime hazard since it is under water for a period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and surrounded by reefs |
|
India | droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes | droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes | |
Indian Ocean | occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches | occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in southern reaches | |
Indonesia | occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires | occasional floods, severe droughts, tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanoes, forest fires | |
Iran | periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes along western border and in the northeast | periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes | |
Iraq | dust storms, sandstorms, floods | dust storms, sandstorms, floods | |
Ireland | NA | NA | |
Isle of Man | NA | NA | |
Israel | sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes | sandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts; periodic earthquakes | |
Italy | regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice | regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice | |
Jamaica | hurricanes (especially July to November) | hurricanes (especially July to November) | |
Jan Mayen | dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 | dominated by the volcano Haakon VII Toppen/Beerenberg; volcanic activity resumed in 1970 | |
Japan | many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons | many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons | |
Jarvis Island | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard | the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island poses a maritime hazard | |
Jersey | NA | NA | |
Johnston Atoll | NA | NA | |
Jordan | droughts; periodic earthquakes | droughts; periodic earthquakes | |
Juan de Nova Island | periodic cyclones | periodic cyclones | |
Kazakhstan | earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty | earthquakes in the south, mudslides around Almaty | |
Kenya | recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons | recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons | |
Kingman Reef | wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard | wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of about 1 meter makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard | |
Kiribati | typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level | typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March; occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level | |
Korea, North | late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall | late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding; occasional typhoons during the early fall | |
Korea, South | occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest | occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods; low-level seismic activity common in southwest | |
Kuwait | sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August | sudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bring heavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and dust storms occur throughout the year, but are most common between March and August | |
Kyrgyzstan | NA | NA | |
Laos | floods, droughts | floods, droughts | |
Latvia | NA | NA | |
Lebanon | dust storms, sandstorms | dust storms, sandstorms | |
Lesotho | periodic droughts | periodic droughts | |
Liberia | dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) | dust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to March) | |
Libya | hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms | hot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one to four days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms | |
Liechtenstein | NA | NA | |
Lithuania | NA | NA | |
Luxembourg | NA | NA | |
Macau | typhoons | typhoons | |
Macedonia | - | high seismic risks | |
Macedonia, The Former Yugoslav Republic of | high seismic risks | - | |
Madagascar | periodic cyclones | periodic cyclones, drought, and locust infestation | |
Malawi | NA | NA | |
Malaysia | flooding, landslides, forest fires | flooding, landslides, forest fires | |
Maldives | low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise | low level of islands makes them very sensitive to sea level rise | |
Mali | hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding | hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons; recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding | |
Malta | NA | NA | |
Marshall Islands | infrequent typhoons | infrequent typhoons | |
Martinique | hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) | hurricanes, flooding, and volcanic activity (an average of one major natural disaster every five years) | |
Mauritania | hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts | hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily in March and April; periodic droughts | |
Mauritius | cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards | cyclones (November to April); almost completely surrounded by reefs that may pose maritime hazards | |
Mayotte | cyclones during rainy season | cyclones during rainy season | |
Mexico | tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts | tsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructive earthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific, Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coasts | |
Micronesia, Federated States of | typhoons (June to December) | typhoons (June to December) | |
Midway Islands | NA | NA | |
Moldova | landslides (57 cases in 1998) | landslides (57 cases in 1998) | |
Monaco | NA | NA | |
Mongolia | dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud", which is harsh winter conditions | dust storms, grassland and forest fires, drought, and "zud," which is harsh winter conditions | |
Montenegro | - | destructive earthquakes | |
Montserrat | severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1996) | severe hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions (Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995) | |
Morocco | northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts | northern mountains geologically unstable and subject to earthquakes; periodic droughts | |
Mozambique | severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods occur in central and southern provinces | severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in central and southern provinces | |
Namibia | prolonged periods of drought | prolonged periods of drought | |
Nauru | periodic droughts | periodic droughts | |
Navassa Island | NA | hurricanes | |
Nepal | severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons | severe thunderstorms, flooding, landslides, drought, and famine depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer monsoons | |
Netherlands | flooding | flooding | |
Netherlands Antilles | Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October | Curacao and Bonaire are south of Caribbean hurricane belt and are rarely threatened; Sint Maarten, Saba, and Sint Eustatius are subject to hurricanes from July to October | |
New Caledonia | cyclones, most frequent from November to March | cyclones, most frequent from November to March | |
New Zealand | earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity | earthquakes are common, though usually not severe; volcanic activity | |
Nicaragua | destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes | destructive earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides; extremely susceptible to hurricanes | |
Niger | recurring droughts | recurring droughts | |
Nigeria | periodic droughts; flooding | periodic droughts; flooding | |
Niue | typhoons | typhoons | |
Norfolk Island | typhoons (especially May to July) | typhoons (especially May to July) | |
Northern Mariana Islands | active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) | active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan; typhoons (especially August to November) | |
Norway | rockslides, avalanches | rockslides, avalanches | |
Oman | summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts | summer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms in interior; periodic droughts | |
Pacific Ocean | surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December | surrounded by a zone of violent volcanic and earthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring of Fire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and east Asia from May to December (most frequent from July to October); tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strike Central America and Mexico from June to October (most common in August and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs in the equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the Western Hemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructure icing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in the northern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December | |
Pakistan | frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) | frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and August) | |
Palau | typhoons (June to December) | typhoons (June to December) | |
Palmyra Atoll | NA | NA | |
Panama | occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area | occasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area | |
Papua New Guinea | active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis | active volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ring of Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severe earthquakes; mud slides; tsunamis | |
Paracel Islands | typhoons | typhoons | |
Paraguay | local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) | local flooding in southeast (early September to June); poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June) | |
Peru | earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity | earthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanic activity | |
Philippines | astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis | astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis | |
Pitcairn Islands | typhoons (especially November to March) | typhoons (especially November to March) | |
Poland | flooding | flooding | |
Portugal | Azores subject to severe earthquakes | Azores subject to severe earthquakes | |
Puerto Rico | periodic droughts; hurricanes | periodic droughts; hurricanes | |
Qatar | haze, dust storms, sandstorms common | haze, dust storms, sandstorms common | |
Reunion | periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano | periodic, devastating cyclones (December to April); Piton de la Fournaise on the southeastern coast is an active volcano | |
Romania | earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides | earthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologic structure and climate promote landslides | |
Russia | permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia | permafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment to development; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes and earthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods and summer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of European Russia | |
Rwanda | periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo | periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo | |
Saint Helena | active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha | active volcanism on Tristan da Cunha, last eruption in 1961 | |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | hurricanes (July to October) | hurricanes (July to October) | |
Saint Lucia | hurricanes and volcanic activity | hurricanes and volcanic activity | |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard | persistent fog throughout the year can be a maritime hazard | |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat | hurricanes; Soufriere volcano on the island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat | |
Samoa | occasional typhoons; active volcanism | occasional typhoons; active volcanism | |
San Marino | NA | NA | |
Sao Tome and Principe | NA | NA | |
Saudi Arabia | frequent sand and dust storms | frequent sand and dust storms | |
Senegal | lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts | lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts | |
Serbia | - | destructive earthquakes | |
Serbia and Montenegro | destructive earthquakes | - | |
Seychelles | lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible | lies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare; short droughts possible | |
Sierra Leone | dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms | dry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December to February); sandstorms, dust storms | |
Singapore | NA | NA | |
Slovakia | NA | NA | |
Slovenia | flooding and earthquakes | flooding and earthquakes | |
Solomon Islands | typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity | typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically active region with frequent earth tremors; volcanic activity | |
Somalia | recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season | recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains in summer; floods during rainy season | |
South Africa | prolonged droughts | prolonged droughts | |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands | the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism | the South Sandwich Islands have prevailing weather conditions that generally make them difficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to active volcanism | |
Southern Ocean | huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue | huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5 to 1 meter thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and with large annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelf floored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances; high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especially May-October; most of region is remote from sources of search and rescue | |
Spain | periodic droughts | periodic droughts | |
Spratly Islands | typhoons; serious maritime hazard because of numerous reefs and shoals | typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious maritime hazard | |
Sri Lanka | occasional cyclones and tornadoes | occasional cyclones and tornadoes | |
Sudan | dust storms and periodic persistent droughts | dust storms and periodic persistent droughts | |
Suriname | NA | NA | |
Svalbard | ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic | ice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transit point for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make parts of the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic | |
Swaziland | drought | drought | |
Sweden | ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic | ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic | |
Switzerland | avalanches, landslides, flash floods | avalanches, landslides, flash floods | |
Syria | dust storms, sandstorms | dust storms, sandstorms | |
Taiwan | earthquakes and typhoons | earthquakes and typhoons | |
Tajikistan | earthquakes and floods | earthquakes and floods | |
Tanzania | flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought | flooding on the central plateau during the rainy season; drought | |
Thailand | land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts | land subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from the depletion of the water table; droughts | |
Togo | hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts | hot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north during winter; periodic droughts | |
Tokelau | lies in Pacific typhoon belt | lies in Pacific typhoon belt | |
Tonga | cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou | cyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activity on Fonuafo'ou | |
Trinidad and Tobago | outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms | outside usual path of hurricanes and other tropical storms | |
Tromelin Island | NA | NA | |
Tunisia | NA | NA | |
Turkey | very severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van | severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van | |
Turkmenistan | NA | NA | |
Turks and Caicos Islands | frequent hurricanes | frequent hurricanes | |
Tuvalu | severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them very sensitive to changes in sea level | severe tropical storms are usually rare, but, in 1997, there were three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive to changes in sea level | |
Uganda | NA | NA | |
Ukraine | NA | NA | |
United Arab Emirates | frequent sand and dust storms | frequent sand and dust storms | |
United Kingdom | winter windstorms; floods | winter windstorms; floods | |
United States | tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development | tsunamis, volcanoes, and earthquake activity around Pacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico coasts; tornadoes in the midwest and southeast; mud slides in California; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost in northern Alaska, a major impediment to development | |
United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refuges | - | Baker, Howland, and Jarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island can be a maritime hazard
Kingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation of less than 1 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazard Midway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA |
|
Uruguay | seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind which blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts | seasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly and occasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas), droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act as weather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapid changes from weather fronts | |
Uzbekistan | NA | NA | |
Vanuatu | tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanism causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis | tropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcanic eruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began 27 November 2005, volcanism also causes minor earthquakes; tsunamis | |
Venezuela | subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts | subject to floods, rockslides, mudslides; periodic droughts | |
Vietnam | occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta | occasional typhoons (May to January) with extensive flooding, especially in the Mekong River delta | |
Virgin Islands | several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes | several hurricanes in recent years; frequent and severe droughts and floods; occasional earthquakes | |
Wake Island | occasional typhoons | occasional typhoons | |
Wallis and Futuna | NA | NA | |
West Bank | droughts | droughts | |
Western Sahara | hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility | hot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind can occur during winter and spring; widespread harmattan haze exists 60% of time, often severely restricting visibility | |
World | large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) | large areas subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones), natural disasters (earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) | |
Yemen | sandstorms and dust storms in summer | sandstorms and dust storms in summer | |
Zambia | periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April) | periodic drought, tropical storms (November to April) | |
Zimbabwe | recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare | recurring droughts; floods and severe storms are rare |