A multi-hazard historical catalogue for the city-island-state of Malta (Central Mediterranean)

Main, Geoff; Gauci, Ritienne; Schembri, John; Chester, David K.

doi:10.1007/s11069-022-05403-x

Cited by 4 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 71 publications

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“…While existing studies have primarily aimed to enhance the understanding of multi-hazard interactions and to identify methods for assessing their impacts (Gill and Malamud, 2014;Tilloy et al, 2019), some have focused on investigating the co-occurrence of specific hazards at local or regional scales (Bell and Glade, 2012;Bevacqua et al, 2021;Camus et al, 2021;Gao et al, 2023;Ghanbari et al, 2021). However, classifying different types of multi-hazard events remains a challenging endeavor due to several factors: (1) unclear definitions of these events (Zscheischler et al, 2020); (2) the complex physical interactions between hazards, particularly when one hazard triggers another (Gill and Malamud, 2014); (3) potential spatial and temporal overlap between hazards (Kappes et al, 2012); and (4) a lack of long historical record of multi-hazard events (Chen et al, 2016;Main et al, 2022). Notably, there is a dearth of studies focusing on the classification of past multi-hazard events and their global-scale impacts.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The lack of reliable databases poses a significant challenge in identifying global-scale multi-hazard occurrences (Chen et al, 2016;Mahecha et al, 2020;Main et al, 2022). Currently, three global/ regional multi-hazard databases exist: EM-DAT, Munich Re and DesInventar (Formetta and Feyen, 2019;Wirtz et al, 2014), alongside numerous national, regional, and local databases worldwide.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Reclassifying historical disasters: from single to multi-hazards

White,

Adnan,

Lee

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Multi-hazard events, characterized by the simultaneous, cascading, or cumulative occurrence of multiple natural hazards, pose a significant threat to human lives and assets. This is primarily due to the cumulative and cascading effects arising from the interplay of various natural hazards across space and time. However, their identification is challenging, which is attributable to the complex nature of natural hazard interactions and the limited availability of multi-hazard observations. This presentation, focused on a recently published article in Science of the Total Environment (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169120), presents an approach for identifying multi-hazard events during the past 123 years (1900-2023) using the EM-DAT global disaster database. Leveraging the ‘associated hazard’ information in EM-DAT, multi-hazard events are detected and assessed in relation to their frequency, impact on human lives and assets, and reporting trends. The interactions between various combinations of natural hazard pairs are explored, reclassifying them into four categories: preconditioned/triggering, multivariate, temporally compounding, and spatially compounding multi-hazard events. The results show, globally, approximately 19% of the 16,535 disasters recorded in EM-DAT can be classified as multi-hazard events. However, the multi-hazard events recorded in EM-DAT are disproportionately responsible for nearly 59% of the estimated global economic losses. Conversely, single hazard events resulted in higher fatalities compared to multi-hazard events. The largest proportion of multi-hazard events are associated with floods, storms, and earthquakes. Landslides emerge as the predominant secondary hazards within multi-hazard pairs, primarily triggered by floods, storms, and earthquakes, with the majority of multi-hazard events exhibiting preconditioned/triggering and multivariate characteristics. There is a higher prevalence of multi-hazard events in Asia and North America, whilst temporal overlaps of multiple hazards predominate in Europe. These results can be used to increase the integration of multi-hazard thinking in risk assessments, emergency management response plans and mitigation policies at both national and international levels.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Reclassifying historical disasters: from single to multi-hazards

White,

Adnan,

Lee

et al. 2024

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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Rock-fall runout simulation using a QGIS plugin along north–west coast of Malta (Mediterranean Sea)

Sarkar,

Devoto,

Vandelli

et al. 2024

Nat Hazards

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Coastal instability in the form of rock fall is widespread along the northern coasts of Malta and is strictly connected to structural controls, such as lithology and tectonics. The local geological and geomorphological setting combined with extreme weather events, whose spatial and temporal occurrence is enhanced by ongoing climate and land use change, determines rock-fall hazard along the north–west coast of Malta, a hotspot for Mediterranean tourism. The present research portrays the results of a pilot study aimed at analyzing rock-fall runout probability along this stretch of coast. Cliffs and downslope terrains were the object of detailed field surveys. This included the detection of persistent joints in the source areas and the identification of slope-forming materials like debris and boulders present along the downslope terrains. The outcomes of the field surveys and GIS-based processing of topographic information were used for identification of the input parameters for rock-fall runout simulation. The latter was performed using a QGIS based plugin (QPROTO) that allows to determine expected runout extents and assess the rock-fall susceptibility. The result is the characterization and mapping of rock-fall runout probability zones along six investigated sites. The outputs of the research and the replicability of the method can be of interest for authorities aiming at defining risk management actions and undertaking mitigation measures compliant with sustainable development of coastal areas.

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