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[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb12.8px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n
The Caribbean archipelago is exposed to a wide range of natural hazards that can have significant impacts on people, infrastructure and the environment. This guide will help you understand the main natural hazards affecting the region, the factors that explain this exposure, and the major events that have shaped the Caribbean’s recent history.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00a0\u00bb1_3,1_3,1_3″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#FFFFFF\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb137.6px\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb20px|||||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#E27254″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 21<\/b><\/span><\/p>\n Active volcanoes off<\/span>icially recorded across the Lesser Antilles.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#18baa8″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 41 M<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n People exposed to natural hazards across the Caribbean and Latin America.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb background_color=\u00a0\u00bb#ffca57″ global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n <\/b><\/span><\/p>\n 406 km\/h<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n Record wind speed recorded during Hurricane Melissa.<\/span><\/p>\n \n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb border_width_bottom=\u00a0\u00bb0px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb530px\u00a0\u00bb custom_margin=\u00a0\u00bb-15px|auto||auto||\u00a0\u00bb custom_padding=\u00a0\u00bb19px|||||\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00a0\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00a0\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00a0\u00bbdefault\u00a0\u00bb min_height=\u00a0\u00bb509.1px\u00a0\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00a0\u00bb{}\u00a0\u00bb]<\/p>\n The Caribbean is the second most disaster-prone region in the world. This exposure can be explained by several factors:<\/span><\/p>\n The Caribbean region lies at the intersection of several major tectonic plates, including the Caribbean, North American, South American, Cocos and Nazca plates. Where these plates meet, they may collide, overlap or slide beneath one another, creating active fault systems.<\/span><\/p>\n A large number of Caribbean islands are located near these plate boundaries, where tectonic activity is particularly significant. As a result, earthquakes occur relatively frequently throughout the region and can sometimes trigger tsunamis.<\/span><\/p>\n The Lesser Antilles form one of the world’s major active volcanic arcs. Today, 21 active volcanoes are officially monitored across the region. Even when volcanoes appear dormant, they remain under constant surveillance, as several of them may become active again.<\/span><\/p>\n The Caribbean lies within one of the Atlantic Ocean’s main hurricane development and tracking zones. Between June and November, warm ocean waters, often exceeding 26.5\u00b0C, provide the energy needed for tropical storms and hurricanes to develop.<\/span><\/p>\n The mountainous terrain that characterizes many Caribbean islands is an aggravating factor. During periods of heavy rainfall, water flows rapidly toward valleys and urban areas, causing flash floods and sometimes devastating flooding events.<\/span><\/p>\n Heavy rainfall also saturates the soil and reduces its stability, increasing the likelihood of landslides. This risk may be further intensified by human activities such as deforestation and urban development on steep slopes.<\/span><\/p>\nThe Caribbean and natural hazards: a highly exposed region<\/b><\/h2>\n
1. A region located in an active tectonic zone<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
2. A volcanic arc that remains active<\/span><\/b><\/h4>\n
3. A tropical climate favourable to hurricane formation<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n
4. Territories exposed to flooding and landslides<\/b><\/span><\/h4>\n