Catastrofic Hazards in the Canary Islands. A geographic vision

Abstract

Negative consequences upon the Canary Islands population due to catastrophic hazards have been very significant during the period 1995-2005. On one hand, to appoint an important number of mortal victims, fifty two, and substantial economic losses in material as well as in environmental resources; all of them caused by the action of intense rains, strong winds and heat waves. Vulnerability, as an interaction process between natural risks and population (overall socioeconomic and age) has been the main factor in turning the natural hazards into catastrophic ones. In addition to this vulnerability, the self-confidence of the population on these risks has created an undervaluing of the important damages these can cause. Technological hazards have not affected in such a big manner in the Islands population, due to important safety measures, adopted in order to minimize and reduce these risks.

Keywords

• riesgos naturales
• riesgos tecnológicos
• factores geográficos
• fallecidos