known as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimes
destructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptible
to hurricanes
volcanism: El Salvador experiences significant volcanic activity;
San Salvador (elev. 1,893 m, 6,211 ft), which last erupted in 1917,
has the potential to cause major harm to the country's capital,
which lies just below the volcano's slopes; San Miguel (elev. 2,130
m, 6,988 ft), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most active
volcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoes
include Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana
Equatorial Guinea
violent windstorms; flash floods
volcanism: Santa Isabel (elev. 3,007 m, 9,865 ft), which last
erupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano;
Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, forms Bioko Island
in the Gulf of Guinea
Eritrea
frequent droughts; locust swarms
volcanism: Dubbi (elev. 1,625 m, 5,331 ft), which last erupted in
1861, is the country's only historically active volcano
Estonia
sometimes flooding occurs in the spring
Ethiopia
geologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible to
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughts
volcanism: Ethiopia experiences volcanic activity in the Great Rift
Valley; Erta Ale (elev. 613 m, 2,011 ft), which has caused frequent
lava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano;
Dabbahu became active in 2005, causing evacuations; other
historically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol,
Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir
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
Faroe Islands
NA
Fiji
cyclonic storms can occur from November to January
Finland
NA
France
metropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinter
windstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterranean
overseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanic
activity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)
French Polynesia
occasional cyclonic storms in January
French Southern and Antarctic Lands
Ile Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paul
are inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones;
Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for a
period of three hours prior to and following the high tide and
surrounded by reefs
volcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (elev. 2,632 m,
8,635 ft), which has erupted many times in recent years, including
2010, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare,
eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities
Gabon
NA
Gambia, The
drought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30
years)
Gaza Strip
droughts
Georgia
earthquakes
Germany
flooding
Ghana
dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January to
March; droughts
Gibraltar
NA
Greece
severe earthquakes
volcanism: Santorini (elev. 367 m, 1,204 ft) has been deemed a
"Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and
Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its
explosive history and close proximity to human populations; although
there have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana and
Nisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active
Greenland
continuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of the
island
Grenada
lies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts from
June to November
Guam
frequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare but
potentially destructive typhoons (June - December)
Guatemala
numerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violent
earthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes and
other tropical storms
volcanism: Guatemala experiences significant volcanic activity in
the Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (elev. 3,772 m, 12,375 ft) has
been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association of
Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study
due to its explosive history and close proximity to human
populations; Pacaya (elev. 2,552 m, 8,373 ft), which erupted in May
2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations,
is one of the country's most active volcanoes; the volcano has
frequently been in eruption since 1965; other historically active
volcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana
Guernsey
NA
Guinea
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
Guyana
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
Heard Island and McDonald Islands
Mawson Peak, an active volcano, is
on Heard Island
Holy See (Vatican City)
NA
Honduras
frequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremely
susceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbean
coast
Hong Kong
occasional typhoons
Iceland
earthquakes and volcanic activity
volcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severe
volcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (elev. 1,666 m, 5,466 ft)
erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriously
disrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitor
nearby Katla (elev. 1,512 m, 4,961 ft), which has a high probability
of eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting air
traffic; Grimsvotn and Hekla are Iceland's most frequently active
volcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja,
Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla,
Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, and
Vestmannaeyjar
India
droughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructive
flooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakes
volcanism: Barren Island (elev. 354 m, 1,161 ft) in the Andaman Sea
has been active in recent years
Indian Ocean
occasional icebergs pose navigational hazard in
southern reaches
Indonesia
occasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes;
volcanoes; forest fires
volcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country in
the world - some 76 are historically active; significant volcanic
activity occurs on Java, western Sumatra, the Sunda Islands,
Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the Banda
Sea; Merapi (elev. 2,968 m, 9,737 ft), Indonesia's most active
volcano and in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a "Decade
Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and
Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its
explosive history and close proximity to human populations; other
notable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu,
Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, and Tambora
Iran
periodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes
Iraq
dust storms; sandstorms; floods
Ireland
NA
Isle of Man
NA
Israel
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
volcanism: Italy experiences significant volcanic activity; Etna
(elev. 3,330 m, 10,925 ft), which is in eruption as of 2010, is
Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to
nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius,
which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in the
Bay of Naples area, have both been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake
island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic
activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei,
Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini
Jamaica
hurricanes (especially July to November)
Jan Mayen
dominated by the volcano Beerenberg
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) is Norway's only
active volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recent
eruption occurred in 1985
Japan
many dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismic
occurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoons
volcanism: both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m, 4,621 ft) and Sakura-jima
(elev. 1,117 m, 3,665 ft), which lies near the densely populated
city of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; other notable historically
active volcanoes include Asama, Honshu Island's most active volcano,
Aso, Bandai, Fuji, Iwo-Jima, Kikai, Kirishima, Komaga-take, Oshima,
Suwanosejima, Tokachi, Yake-dake, and Usu
Jersey
NA
Jordan
droughts; periodic earthquakes
Kazakhstan
earthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty
Kenya
recurring drought; flooding during rainy seasons
volcanism: Kenya experiences limited volcanic activity; the Barrier
(elev. 1,032 m, 3,385 ft) last erupted in 1921; South Island is the
only other historically active volcano
Kiribati
typhoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;
occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make them
sensitive to changes in sea level
Korea, North
late spring droughts often followed by severe flooding;
occasional typhoons during the early fall
volcanism: Changbaishan (elev. 2,744 m, 9,003 ft) (also known as
Baitoushan, Baegdu or P'aektu-san), on the Chinese border, is
considered historically active
Korea, South
occasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;
low-level seismic activity common in southwest
volcanism: Halla (elev. 1,950 m, 6,398 ft) is considered
historically active although it has not erupted in many centuries
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
Kyrgyzstan
NA
Laos
floods, droughts
Latvia
NA
Lebanon
dust storms, sandstorms
Lesotho
periodic droughts
Liberia
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
Liechtenstein
NA
Lithuania
NA
Luxembourg
NA
Macau
typhoons
Macedonia
high seismic risks
Madagascar
periodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestation
volcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historical
times
Malawi
NA
Malaysia
flooding; landslides; forest fires
Maldives
tsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive to
sea level rise
Mali
hot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons;
recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding
Malta
NA
Marshall Islands
infrequent typhoons
Mauritania
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
Mayotte
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
volcanism: Mexico experiences volcanic activity in the
central-southern part of the country; the volcanoes in Baja
California are mostly dormant; Colima (elev. 3,850 m, 12,631 ft),
which erupted in 2010, is Mexico's most active volcano and is
responsible for causing periodic evacuations of nearby villagers; it
has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association
of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of
study due to its explosive history and close proximity to human
populations; Popocatepetl (elev. 5,426 m, 17,802 ft) poses a threat
to Mexico City; other historically active volcanoes include Barcena,
Ceboruco, El Chichon, Michoacan-Guanajuato, Pico de Orizaba, San
Martin, Socorro, and Tacana
Micronesia, Federated States of
typhoons (June to December)
Moldova
landslides
Monaco
NA
Mongolia
dust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud,"
which is harsh winter conditions
Montenegro
destructive earthquakes
Montserrat
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
Mozambique
severe droughts; devastating cyclones and floods in
central and southern provinces
Namibia
prolonged periods of drought
Nauru
periodic droughts
Navassa Island
hurricanes
Nepal
severe thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and famine
depending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summer
monsoons
Netherlands
flooding
New Caledonia
cyclones, most frequent from November to March
volcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active
New Zealand
earthquakes are common, though usually not severe;
volcanic activity
volcanism: New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on North
Island; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m, 9,177 ft), which last erupted in
2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranaki
has the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; other
historically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island,
Tongariro, and White Island
Nicaragua
destructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremely
susceptible to hurricanes
volcanism: Nicaragua experiences significant volcanic activity;
Cerro Negro (elev. 728 m, 2,388 ft), which last erupted in 1999, is
one of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ash
have been known to cause significant damage to farmland and
buildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion,
Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica
Niger
recurring droughts
Nigeria
periodic droughts; flooding
Niue
typhoons
Norfolk Island
typhoons (especially May to July)
Northern Mariana Islands
active volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan;
typhoons (especially August to November)
Norway
rockslides, avalanches
volcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) on Jan Mayen Island
in the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano
Oman
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
Pakistan
frequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially in
north and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July and
August)
Palau
typhoons (June to December)
Panama
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
volcanism: Papua New Guinea experiences severe volcanic activity;
Ulawun (elev. 2,334 m, 7,657 ft), one of Papua New Guinea's
potentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a "Decade
Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology and
Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its
explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul
(elev. 688 m, 2,257 ft) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and
1994; Lamington erupted in 1951 killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004
eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically active
volcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau,
Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa
Paracel Islands
typhoons
Paraguay
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
volcanism: Peru experiences volcanic activity in the Andes
Mountains; Ubinas (elev. 5,672 m, 18,609 ft), which last erupted in
2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historically
active volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, and
Yucamane
Philippines
astride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struck
by five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; active
volcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamis
volcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity;
Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), which has shown recent unrest and may
erupt in the near future, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m, 8,077
ft), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over
33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes include
Biliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes,
Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatubo
and Ragang
Pitcairn Islands
typhoons (especially November to March)
Poland
flooding
Portugal
Azores subject to severe earthquakes
volcanism: Portugal experiences limited volcanic activity in the
Azores Islands; Fayal or Faial (elev. 1,043 m, 3,422 ft) last
erupted in 1958; most volcanoes have not erupted in centuries;
historically active volcanoes include Agua de Pau, Furnas, Pico,
Picos Volcanic System, San Jorge, Sete Cidades, and Terceira
Puerto Rico
periodic droughts; hurricanes
Qatar
haze, dust storms, sandstorms common
Romania
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
volcanism: Russia experiences significant volcanic activity on the
Kamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands; the peninsula alone is home
to some 29 historically active volcanoes, with dozens more in the
Kuril Islands; Kliuchevskoi (elev. 4,835 m, 15,863 ft), which
erupted in 2007 and 2010, is Kamchatka's most active volcano;
Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, which pose a threat to the city
of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by
the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; other notable historically
active volcanoes include Bezymianny, Chikurachki, Ebeko, Gorely,
Grozny, Karymsky, Ketoi, Kronotsky, Ksudach, Medvezhia, Mutnovsky,
Sarychev Peak, Shiveluch, Tiatia, Tolbachik, and Zheltovsky
Rwanda
periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the
northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo
volcanism: Visoke (elev. 3,711 m, 12,175 ft), located on the border
with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only
historically active volcano
Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunha
active volcanism on
Tristan da Cunha
volcanism: the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (elev. 2,060 m,
6,758 ft) and Nightingale Island (elev. 365 m, 1,197 ft) experience
volcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingale
in 2004
Saint Kitts and Nevis
hurricanes (July to October)
Saint Lucia
hurricanes; volcanic activity
Saint Martin
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Saint Pierre and Miquelon
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
Samoa
occasional typhoons; active volcanism
volcanism: Savai'I Island (elev. 1,858 m, 6,096 ft), which last
erupted in 1911, is historically active
San Marino
NA
Sao Tome and Principe
NA
Saudi Arabia
frequent sand and dust storms
volcanism: Despite Saudi Arabia's many volcanic formations, there
has been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoes
include Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar
Senegal
lowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts
Serbia
destructive earthquakes
Seychelles
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
Singapore
NA
Sint Maarten
subject to hurricanes from July to November
Slovakia
NA
Slovenia
flooding; earthquakes
Solomon Islands
typhoons, but rarely destructive; geologically
active region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanic
activity; tsunamis
volcanism: Tinakula (elev. 851 m, 2,792 ft) has frequent eruption
activity, while an eruption of Savo (elev. 485 m, 1,591 ft) could
affect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal
Somalia
recurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plains
in summer; floods during rainy season
South Africa
prolonged droughts
volcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince Edward
Islands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only active
volcano
South Georgia and 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
Southern Ocean
huge icebergs with drafts up to several hundred
meters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5
to 1 m 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, occasional flooding
volcanism: Spain experiences volcanic activity in the Canary
Islands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (elev. 3,715 m,
12,188 ft) has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International
Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior,
worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity to
human populations; La Palma (elev. 2,426 m, 7,959 ft), which last
erupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes;
Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano
Spratly Islands
typhoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a serious
maritime hazard
Sri Lanka
occasional cyclones and tornadoes
Sudan
dust storms and periodic persistent droughts
Suriname
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
Swaziland
drought
Sweden
ice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulf
of Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic
Switzerland
avalanches, landslides; flash floods
Syria
dust storms, sandstorms
volcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and an
unnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries