Recognizing socio-natural disasters occurred in Mexico

Abstract

Based on historical documents, this work compiles disaster events occurred in Mexico from pre-Hispanic times and classified according to their origin. Through the realization of a historic-referential technique, a typology is established with the following hazards: seismic, tsunamis, volcanic, and hydrometeorological such as tropical storms, floods, droughts, and tornadoes. The general methodology relates to the General Risk Equation (EGR), which addresses the historical presence of disasters versus the general growth of the population and the need to generate better public policies. The results show the need for recognizing the wider set of disasters of natural origin that have occurred in the Mexican territory and from a historical perspective, pointing out that the population and the government should act together in a real scheme of comprehensive risk management disaster in the future. In a scenario of population growth and territories susceptible to the development of disturbing geosystems, this may increase the exposure and vulnerability of more than 65 million people by 2040.

Keywords

• desastres, amenazas, población, políticas públicas, méxico