Italian Hazards: An Overview

What To Be Most Aware Of

While almost all types of natural hazards occur throughout Italy, the most dangerous ones would have to be earthquakes, land subsidizing, and flooding.

Coastal Hazards

7500 km of Coast

The Italian coastline consists of about half low or delta coastlines, 3200 km of sand or gravel beaches, and the rest is hanging cliffs that drop off into the ocean.

Extreme Weather

Italy experiences tropical-like cyclones that are extremely rare due to its dry nature.

Subsidence In Italy

That Sinking Feeling

Venice is probably the city most affected by land subsidence. It has been sinking each year more than it ever has within the past century at about one to two millimeters per year.

Mass Wasting

Is That Tree Getting Closer?

While natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions and high magnitude earthquakes occur less frequently in Italy, landslides bring destruction year round.

Tsunami Watch

More Than Just A Tidal Wave

Since the beginning of the common era, about 72 tsunamis have affected the coastal towns of Italy. Most of them have been of minor intensity but some very destructive.

Italian Volcanism

Too Hot To Handle?

Volcanic eruptions are not a rare event in Italy.

Earthquakes And Earthquake Prevention

Earthquakes are such a common event in Italy. These earthquakes are caused by the subduction of the African Plate.

Boundary Issues

Italy And Plate Relations

On the northern border of the African Plate and the southwestern border of the Eurasian Plate lies the peninsula, and islands, of Italy.

Rocks And MInerals Of The Nation

Scratching The Surface    

While Italy does not produce a wide range of minerals, the mining of other minerals has made helped it become the country with the 11th highest GDP in the world at $1.87 trillion.

Hazards, Disasters, and Catastrophes

Most of us have heard of natural processes such as earthquakes, tornadoes, or volcanoes. Only when these events serve as a potential threat to human life do they become a hazard.