Chapter 149

Navassa Islandlowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed elevation on southwest side 77 m

Nepallowest point: Kanchan Kalan 70 mhighest point: Mount Everest 8,850 m

Netherlandslowest point: Zuidplaspolder -7 mhighest point: Mount Scenery 862 m (on the island of Saba in theCaribbean, now considered an integral part of the Netherlandsfollowing the dissolution of the Netherlands Antilles)note: the highest point on continental Netherlands is Vaalserberg at322 m

New Caledonialowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Panie 1,628 m

New Zealandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Aoraki-Mount Cook 3,754 m

Nicaragualowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mogoton 2,438 m

Nigerlowest point: Niger River 200 mhighest point: Idoukal-n-Taghes 2,022 m

Nigerialowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Chappal Waddi 2,419 m

Niuelowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed elevation near Mutalau settlement 68 m

Norfolk Islandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Bates 319 m

Northern Mariana Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed elevation on Agrihan 965 m

Norwaylowest point: Norwegian Sea 0 mhighest point: Galdhopiggen 2,469 m

Omanlowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal Shams 2,980 m

Pacific Oceanlowest point: Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench-10,924 mhighest point: sea level 0 m

Pakistanlowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: K2 (Mt. Godwin-Austen) 8,611 m

Palaulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Ngerchelchuus 242 m

Panamalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Volcan Baru 3,475 m

Papua New Guinealowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Wilhelm 4,509 m

Paracel Islandslowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Paraguaylowest point: junction of Rio Paraguay and Rio Parana 46 mhighest point: Cerro Pero 842 m

Perulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Nevado Huascaran 6,768 m

Philippineslowest point: Philippine Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Apo 2,954 m

Pitcairn Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Big Ridge 347 m

Polandlowest point: near Raczki Elblaskie -2 mhighest point: Rysy 2,499 m

Portugallowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Ponta do Pico (Pico or Pico Alto) on Ilha do Pico inthe Azores 2,351 m

Puerto Ricolowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Cerro de Punta 1,338 m

Qatarlowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Tuwayyir al Hamir 103 m

Romanialowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Moldoveanu 2,544 m

Russialowest point: Caspian Sea -28 mhighest point: Gora El'brus 5,633 m

Rwandalowest point: Rusizi River 950 mhighest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

Saint Barthelemylowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne du Vitet 286 m

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhalowest point: AtlanticOcean 0 mhighest point: Queen Mary's Peak on Tristan da Cunha 2,060 m; GreenMountain on Ascension Island 859 m; Mount Actaeon on Saint HelenaIsland 818 m

Saint Kitts and Nevislowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Liamuiga 1,156 m

Saint Lucialowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Gimie 950 m

Saint Martinlowest point: Caribbean Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pic du Paradis 424 m

Saint Pierre and Miquelonlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne de la Grande Montagne 240 m

Saint Vincent and the Grenadineslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: La Soufriere 1,234 m

Samoalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Silisili 1,857 m

San Marinolowest point: Torrente Ausa 55 mhighest point: Monte Titano 755 m

Sao Tome and Principelowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pico de Sao Tome 2,024 m

Saudi Arabialowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Jabal Sawda' 3,133 m

Senegallowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed elevation southwest of Kedougou 581 m

Serbialowest point: Danube and Timok Rivers 35 mhighest point: Midzor 2,169 m

Seychelleslowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Morne Seychellois 905 m

Sierra Leonelowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Loma Mansa (Bintimani) 1,948 m

Singaporelowest point: Singapore Strait 0 mhighest point: Bukit Timah 166 m

Sint Maartenlowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Flagstaff 386 m

Slovakialowest point: Bodrok River 94 mhighest point: Gerlachovsky Stit 2,655 m

Slovenialowest point: Adriatic Sea 0 mhighest point: Triglav 2,864 m

Solomon Islandslowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mount Popomanaseu 2,310 m

Somalialowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Shimbiris 2,416 m

South Africalowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Njesuthi 3,408 m

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandslowest point: AtlanticOcean 0 mhighest point: Mount Paget (South Georgia) 2,934 m

Southern Oceanlowest point: -7,235 m at the southern end of theSouth Sandwich Trenchhighest point: sea level 0 m

Spainlowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pico de Teide (Tenerife) on Canary Islands 3,718 m

Spratly Islandslowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: unnamed location on Southwest Cay 4 m

Sri Lankalowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Pidurutalagala 2,524 m

Sudanlowest point: Red Sea 0 mhighest point: Kinyeti 3,187 m

Surinamelowest point: unnamed location in the coastal plain -2 mhighest point: Juliana Top 1,230 m

Svalbardlowest point: Arctic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Newtontoppen 1,717 m

Swazilandlowest point: Great Usutu River 21 mhighest point: Emlembe 1,862 m

Swedenlowest point: reclaimed bay of Lake Hammarsjon, nearKristianstad -2.4 mhighest point: Kebnekaise 2,111 m

Switzerlandlowest point: Lake Maggiore 195 mhighest point: Dufourspitze 4,634 m

Syrialowest point: unnamed location near Lake Tiberias -200 mhighest point: Mount Hermon 2,814 m

Taiwanlowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Yu Shan 3,952 m

Tajikistanlowest point: Syr Darya (Sirdaryo) 300 mhighest point: Qullai Ismoili Somoni (Pik Imeni Ismail Samani) 7,495m

Tanzanialowest point: Indian Ocean 0 mhighest point: Kilimanjaro 5,895 m

Thailandlowest point: Gulf of Thailand 0 mhighest point: Doi Inthanon 2,576 m

Timor-Lestelowest point: Timor Sea, Savu Sea, and Banda Sea 0 mhighest point: Foho Tatamailau 2,963 m

Togolowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Agou 986 m

Tokelaulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 5 m

Tongalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed elevation on Kao Island 1,033 m

Trinidad and Tobagolowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: El Cerro del Aripo 940 m

Tunisialowest point: Shatt al Gharsah -17 mhighest point: Jebel ech Chambi 1,544 m

Turkeylowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 mhighest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

Turkmenistanlowest point: Vpadina Akchanaya -81 mnote: Sarygamysh Koli is a lake in northern Turkmenistan with awater level that fluctuates above and below the elevation of VpadinaAkchanaya (the lake has dropped as low as -110 m)highest point: Gora Ayribaba 3,139 m

Turks and Caicos Islandslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Flamingo Hill 48 m

Tuvalulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 5 m

Ugandalowest point: Lake Albert 621 mhighest point: Margherita Peak on Mount Stanley 5,110 m

Ukrainelowest point: Black Sea 0 mhighest point: Hora Hoverla 2,061 m

United Arab Emirateslowest point: Persian Gulf 0 mhighest point: Jabal Yibir 1,527 m

United Kingdomlowest point: The Fens -4 mhighest point: Ben Nevis 1,343 m

United Stateslowest point: Death Valley -86 mhighest point: Mount McKinley 6,194 mnote: the peak of Mauna Kea (4,207 m above sea level) on the islandof Hawaii rises about 10,200 m above the Pacific Ocean floor; bythis measurement, it is the world's tallest mountain - higher thanMount Everest, which is recognized as the tallest mountain above sealevel

United States Pacific Island Wildlife Refugeslowest point: PacificOcean 0 mhighest point: Baker Island, unnamed location - 8 m; Howland Island,unnamed location - 3 m; Jarvis Island, unnamed location - 7 m;Johnston Atoll, Sand Island - 10 m; Kingman Reef, unnamed location -less than 2 m; Midway Islands, unnamed location - 13 m; PalmyraAtoll, unnamed location - 3 m

Uruguaylowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 mhighest point: Cerro Catedral 514 m

Uzbekistanlowest point: Sariqamish Kuli -12 mhighest point: Adelunga Toghi 4,301 m

Vanuatulowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Tabwemasana 1,877 m

Venezuelalowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Pico Bolivar 5,007 m

Vietnamlowest point: South China Sea 0 mhighest point: Fan Si Pan 3,144 m

Virgin Islandslowest point: Caribbean Sea 0 mhighest point: Crown Mountain 474 m

Wake Islandlowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: unnamed location 6 m

Wallis and Futunalowest point: Pacific Ocean 0 mhighest point: Mont Singavi (on Futuna) 765 m

West Banklowest point: Dead Sea -408 mhighest point: Tall Asur 1,022 m

Western Saharalowest point: Sebjet Tah -55 mhighest point: unnamed elevation 805 m

Worldlowest point: Bentley Subglacial Trench -2,555 mnote: in the oceanic realm, Challenger Deep in the Mariana Trench isthe lowest point, lying -10,924 m below the surface of the PacificOceanhighest point: Mount Everest 8,850 mtop ten highest mountains (measured from sea level): Mount Everest(Nepal-China) 8,850 m; K2 (Pakistan) 8,611 m; Kanchenjunga(Nepal-India) 8,598 m; Lhotse (Nepal) 8,516 m; Makalu (Nepal-China)8,463 m; Cho Oyu (Nepal-China) 8,201 m; Dhaulagiri (Nepal) 8,167 m;Manaslu (Nepal) 8,163 m; Nanga Parbat (Pakistan) 8,125 m; Anapurna(Nepal) 8,091 m

Yemenlowest point: Arabian Sea 0 mhighest point: Jabal an Nabi Shu'ayb 3,760 m

Zambialowest point: Zambezi river 329 mhighest point: unnamed elevation in Mafinga Hills 2,301 m

Zimbabwelowest point: junction of the Runde and Save Rivers 162 mhighest point: Inyangani 2,592 m

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@2021

Field Listing :: Natural hazards

This entry lists potential natural disasters. For countries where volcanic activity is common, a volcanism subfield highlights historically active volcanoes. Country

Natural hazards

Afghanistandamaging earthquakes occur in Hindu Kush mountains;flooding; droughts

Albaniadestructive earthquakes; tsunamis occur along southwesterncoast; floods; drought

Algeriamountainous areas subject to severe earthquakes; mudslidesand floods in rainy season

American Samoatyphoons common from December to Marchvolcanism: American Samoa experiences limited volcanic activity onthe Ofu and Olosega Islands, neither has erupted since the 19thcentury

Andorraavalanches

Angolalocally heavy rainfall causes periodic flooding on the plateau

Anguillafrequent hurricanes and other tropical storms (July toOctober)

Antarcticakatabatic (gravity-driven) winds blow coastward from thehigh interior; frequent blizzards form near the foot of the plateau;cyclonic storms form over the ocean and move clockwise along thecoast; volcanism on Deception Island and isolated areas of WestAntarctica; other seismic activity rare and weak; large icebergs maycalve from ice shelf

Antigua and Barbudahurricanes and tropical storms (July toOctober); periodic droughts

Arctic Oceanice islands occasionally break away from northernEllesmere Island; icebergs calved from glaciers in western Greenlandand extreme northeastern Canada; permafrost in islands; virtuallyice locked from October to June; ships subject to superstructureicing from October to May

ArgentinaSan Miguel de Tucuman and Mendoza areas in the Andessubject to earthquakes; pamperos are violent windstorms that canstrike the pampas and northeast; heavy flooding in some areasvolcanism: Argentina experiences volcanic activity in the AndesMountains along the Chilean border; Copahue (elev. 2,997 m, 9,833ft) last erupted in 2000; other historically active volcanoesinclude Llullaillaco, Maipo, Planchon-Peteroa, San Jose, Tromen,Tupungatito, and Viedma

Armeniaoccasionally severe earthquakes; droughts

Arubahurricanes; lies outside the Caribbean hurricane belt and israrely threatened

Ashmore and Cartier Islandssurrounded by shoals and reefs that canpose maritime hazards

Atlantic Oceanicebergs common in Davis Strait, Denmark Strait, andthe northwestern Atlantic Ocean from February to August and havebeen spotted as far south as Bermuda and the Madeira Islands; shipssubject to superstructure icing in extreme northern Atlantic fromOctober to May; persistent fog can be a maritime hazard from May toSeptember; hurricanes (May to December)

Australiacyclones along the coast; severe droughts; forest firesvolcanism: volcanic activity occurs on the Heard and McDonald Islands

Austrialandslides; avalanches; earthquakes

Azerbaijandroughts

Bahamas, Thehurricanes and other tropical storms cause extensiveflood and wind damage

Bahrainperiodic droughts; dust storms

Bangladeshdroughts; cyclones; much of the country routinelyinundated during the summer monsoon season

Barbadosinfrequent hurricanes; periodic landslides

BelarusNA

Belgiumflooding is a threat along rivers and in areas of reclaimedcoastal land, protected from the sea by concrete dikes

Belizefrequent, devastating hurricanes (June to November) andcoastal flooding (especially in south)

Beninhot, dry, dusty harmattan wind may affect north from Decemberto March

Bermudahurricanes (June to November)

Bhutanviolent storms from the Himalayas are the source of thecountry's name, which translates as Land of the Thunder Dragon;frequent landslides during the rainy season

Boliviaflooding in the northeast (March-April)volcanism: Bolivia experiences volcanic activity in Andes Mountainson the border with Chile; historically active volcanoes in thisregion are Irruputuncu (elev. 5,163 m, 16,939 ft), which lasterupted in 1995 and Olca-Paruma

Bosnia and Herzegovinadestructive earthquakes

Botswanaperiodic droughts; seasonal August winds blow from thewest, carrying sand and dust across the country, which can obscurevisibility

Bouvet IslandNA

Brazilrecurring droughts in northeast; floods and occasional frostin south

British Indian Ocean TerritoryNA

British Virgin Islandshurricanes and tropical storms (July toOctober)

Bruneityphoons, earthquakes, and severe flooding are rare

Bulgariaearthquakes; landslides

Burkina Fasorecurring droughts

Burmadestructive earthquakes and cyclones; flooding and landslidescommon during rainy season (June to September); periodic droughts

Burundiflooding; landslides; drought

Cambodiamonsoonal rains (June to November); flooding; occasionaldroughts

Cameroonvolcanic activity with periodic releases of poisonous gasesfrom Lake Nyos and Lake Monoun volcanoesvolcanism: Mt. Cameroon (elev. 4,095 m, 13,435 ft), which lasterupted in 2000, is the most frequently active volcano in WestAfrica; lakes in Oku volcanic field have released fatal levels ofgas on occasion, killing some 1,700 people in 1986

Canadacontinuous permafrost in north is a serious obstacle todevelopment; cyclonic storms form east of the Rocky Mountains, aresult of the mixing of air masses from the Arctic, Pacific, andNorth American interior, and produce most of the country's rain andsnow east of the mountainsvolcanism: the vast majority of volcanoes in Western Canada's CoastMountains remain dormant

Cape Verdeprolonged droughts; seasonal harmattan wind producesobscuring dust; volcanically and seismically activevolcanism: Fogo (elev. 2,829 m, 9,281 ft), which last erupted in1995, is Cape Verde's only active volcano

Cayman Islandshurricanes (July to November)

Central African Republichot, dry, dusty harmattan winds affectnorthern areas; floods are common

Chadhot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodicdroughts; locust plagues

Chilesevere earthquakes; active volcanism; tsunamisvolcanism: Chile experiences significant volcanic activity due tothe more than three-dozen active volcanoes situated within the AndesMountains; Lascar (elev. 5,592 m, 18,346 ft), which last erupted in2007, is the most active volcano in the northern Chilean Andes;Llaima (elev. 3,125 m, 10,253 ft) in central Chile, which lasterupted in 2009, is another of the country's most active; Chaiten's2008 eruption forced major evacuations; other notable historicallyactive volcanoes include Cerro Hudson, Copahue, Guallatiri,Llullaillaco, Nevados de Chillan, San Pedro, and Villarrica

Chinafrequent typhoons (about five per year along southern andeastern coasts); damaging floods; tsunamis; earthquakes; droughts;land subsidencevolcanism: China contains some historically active volcanoesincluding Changbaishan (also known as Baitoushan, Baegdu, orP'aektu-san), Hainan Dao, and Kunlun although most have beenrelatively inactive in recent centuries

Christmas Islandthe narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazard

Clipperton IslandNA

Cocos (Keeling) Islandscyclone season is October to April

Colombiahighlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasionalearthquakes; periodic droughtsvolcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m, 14,029 ft) is one of Colombia'smost active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing majorevacuations; it has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by theInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321m, 17,453 ft), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last eruptedin 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huilareawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions sincethen; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, DonaJuana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace

Comoroscyclones possible during rainy season (December to April);volcanic activity on Grand Comorevolcanism: Karthala (elev. 2,361 m, 7,746 ft) on Grand Comore Islandlast erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people tobe evacuated and produced a large ash cloud

Congo, Democratic Republic of theperiodic droughts in south; CongoRiver floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley,there are active volcanoesvolcanism: Nyiragongo (elev. 3,470 m, 11,384 ft), which erupted in2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat tothe city of Goma, home to a quarter of a million people; the volcanoproduces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km(60 mi)/hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by theInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira,which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke isthe only other historically active volcano

Congo, Republic of theseasonal flooding

Cook Islandstyphoons (November to March)

Coral Sea Islandsoccasional tropical cyclones

Costa Ricaoccasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season andlandslides; active volcanoesvolcanism: Arenal (elev. 1,670 m, 5,479 ft), which erupted in 2010,is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyedthe town of Tabacon; Irazu (elev. 3,432 m, 11,260 ft), situated justeast of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capitalcity as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically activevolcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba

Cote d'Ivoirecoast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; duringthe rainy season torrential flooding is possible

Croatiadestructive earthquakes

Cubathe east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November(in general, the country averages about one hurricane every otheryear); droughts are common

CuracaoCuracao is south of the Caribbean hurricane belt and israrely threatened

Cyprusmoderate earthquake activity; droughts

Czech Republicflooding

Denmarkflooding is a threat in some areas of the country (e.g.,parts of Jutland, along the southern coast of the island of Lolland)that are protected from the sea by a system of dikes

Djiboutiearthquakes; droughts; occasional cyclonic disturbancesfrom the Indian Ocean bring heavy rains and flash floodsvolcanism: Djibouti experiences limited volcanic activity; Ardoukoba(elev. 298 m, 978 ft) last erupted in 1978; Manda-Inakir, locatedalong the Ethiopian border, is also historically active

Dominicaflash floods are a constant threat; destructive hurricanescan be expected during the late summer months

Dominican Republiclies in the middle of the hurricane belt andsubject to severe storms from June to October; occasional flooding;periodic droughts

Ecuadorfrequent earthquakes; landslides; volcanic activity; floods;periodic droughtsvolcanism: Ecuador experiences volcanic activity in the AndesMountains; Sangay (elev. 5,230 m, 17,159 ft), which erupted in 2010,is mainland Ecuador's most active volcano; other historically activevolcanoes in the Andes include Antisana, Cayambe, Chacana, Cotopaxi,Guagua Pichincha, Reventador, Sumaco, and Tungurahua; Fernandina(elev. 1,476 m, 4,842 ft), a shield volcano that last erupted in2009, is the most active of the many Galapagos volcanoes; otherhistorically active Galapagos volcanoes include Wolf, Sierra Negra,Cerro Azul, Pinta, Marchena, and Santiago

Egyptperiodic droughts; frequent earthquakes; flash floods;landslides; hot, driving windstorm called khamsin occurs in spring;dust storms; sandstorms

El Salvadorknown as the Land of Volcanoes; frequent and sometimesdestructive earthquakes and volcanic activity; extremely susceptibleto hurricanesvolcanism: 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. 2,130m, 6,988 ft), which last erupted in 2002, is one of the most activevolcanoes in the country; other historically active volcanoesinclude Conchaguita, Ilopango, Izalco, and Santa Ana

Equatorial Guineaviolent windstorms; flash floodsvolcanism: Santa Isabel (elev. 3,007 m, 9,865 ft), which lasterupted in 1923, is the country's only historically active volcano;Santa Isabel, along with two dormant volcanoes, forms Bioko Islandin the Gulf of Guinea

Eritreafrequent droughts; locust swarmsvolcanism: Dubbi (elev. 1,625 m, 5,331 ft), which last erupted in1861, is the country's only historically active volcano

Estoniasometimes flooding occurs in the spring

Ethiopiageologically active Great Rift Valley susceptible toearthquakes, volcanic eruptions; frequent droughtsvolcanism: Ethiopia experiences volcanic activity in the Great RiftValley; Erta Ale (elev. 613 m, 2,011 ft), which has caused frequentlava flows in recent years, is the country's most active volcano;Dabbahu became active in 2005, causing evacuations; otherhistorically active volcanoes include Alayta, Dalaffilla, Dallol,Dama Ali, Fentale, Kone, Manda Hararo, and Manda-Inakir

European Unionflooding along coasts; avalanches in mountainousarea; earthquakes in the south; volcanic eruptions in Italy;periodic droughts in Spain; ice floes in the Baltic

Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas)strong winds persist throughoutthe year

Faroe IslandsNA

Fijicyclonic storms can occur from November to January

FinlandNA

Francemetropolitan France: flooding; avalanches; midwinterwindstorms; drought; forest fires in south near the Mediterraneanoverseas departments: hurricanes (cyclones); flooding; volcanicactivity (Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion)

French Polynesiaoccasional cyclonic storms in January

French Southern and Antarctic LandsIle Amsterdam and Ile Saint-Paulare inactive volcanoes; Iles Eparses subject to periodic cyclones;Bassas da India is a maritime hazard since it is under water for aperiod of three hours prior to and following the high tide andsurrounded by reefsvolcanism: Reunion Island - Piton de la Fournaise (elev. 2,632 m,8,635 ft), which has erupted many times in recent years, including2010, is one of the world's most active volcanoes; although rare,eruptions outside the volcano's caldera could threaten nearby cities

GabonNA

Gambia, Thedrought (rainfall has dropped by 30% in the last 30years)

Gaza Stripdroughts

Georgiaearthquakes

Germanyflooding

Ghanadry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds occur from January toMarch; droughts

GibraltarNA

Greecesevere earthquakesvolcanism: Santorini (elev. 367 m, 1,204 ft) has been deemed a"Decade Volcano" by the International Association of Volcanology andChemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to itsexplosive history and close proximity to human populations; althoughthere have been very few eruptions in recent centuries, Methana andNisyros in the Aegean are classified as historically active

Greenlandcontinuous permafrost over northern two-thirds of theisland

Grenadalies on edge of hurricane belt; hurricane season lasts fromJune to November

Guamfrequent squalls during rainy season; relatively rare butpotentially destructive typhoons (June - December)

Guatemalanumerous volcanoes in mountains, with occasional violentearthquakes; Caribbean coast extremely susceptible to hurricanes andother tropical stormsvolcanism: Guatemala experiences significant volcanic activity inthe Sierra Madre range; Santa Maria (elev. 3,772 m, 12,375 ft) hasbeen deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Association ofVolcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of studydue to its explosive history and close proximity to humanpopulations; Pacaya (elev. 2,552 m, 8,373 ft), which erupted in May2010 causing an ashfall on Guatemala City and prompting evacuations,is one of the country's most active volcanoes; the volcano hasfrequently been in eruption since 1965; other historically activevolcanoes include Acatenango, Almolonga, Atitlan, Fuego, and Tacana

GuernseyNA

Guineahot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibility duringdry season

Guinea-Bissauhot, dry, dusty harmattan haze may reduce visibilityduring dry season; brush fires

Guyanaflash floods are a constant threat during rainy seasons

Haitilies in the middle of the hurricane belt and subject to severestorms from June to October; occasional flooding and earthquakes;periodic droughts

Heard Island and McDonald IslandsMawson Peak, an active volcano, ison Heard Island

Holy See (Vatican City)NA

Hondurasfrequent, but generally mild, earthquakes; extremelysusceptible to damaging hurricanes and floods along the Caribbeancoast

Hong Kongoccasional typhoons

Icelandearthquakes and volcanic activityvolcanism: Iceland, situated on top of a hotspot, experiences severevolcanic activity; Eyjafjallajokull (elev. 1,666 m, 5,466 ft)erupted in 2010, sending ash high into the atmosphere and seriouslydisrupting European air traffic; scientists continue to monitornearby Katla (elev. 1,512 m, 4,961 ft), which has a high probabilityof eruption in the very near future, potentially disrupting airtraffic; Grimsvotn and Hekla are Iceland's most frequently activevolcanoes; other historically active volcanoes include Askja,Bardarbunga, Brennisteinsfjoll, Esjufjoll, Hengill, Krafla,Krisuvik, Kverkfjoll, Oraefajokull, Reykjanes, Torfajokull, andVestmannaeyjar

Indiadroughts; flash floods, as well as widespread and destructiveflooding from monsoonal rains; severe thunderstorms; earthquakesvolcanism: Barren Island (elev. 354 m, 1,161 ft) in the Andaman Seahas been active in recent years

Indian Oceanoccasional icebergs pose navigational hazard insouthern reaches

Indonesiaoccasional floods; severe droughts; tsunamis; earthquakes;volcanoes; forest firesvolcanism: Indonesia contains the most volcanoes of any country inthe world - some 76 are historically active; significant volcanicactivity occurs on Java, western Sumatra, the Sunda Islands,Halmahera Island, Sulawesi Island, Sangihe Island, and in the BandaSea; Merapi (elev. 2,968 m, 9,737 ft), Indonesia's most activevolcano and in eruption since 2010, has been deemed a "DecadeVolcano" by the International Association of Volcanology andChemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to itsexplosive history and close proximity to human populations; othernotable historically active volcanoes include Agung, Awu,Karangetang, Krakatau (Krakatoa), Makian, Raung, and Tambora

Iranperiodic droughts, floods; dust storms, sandstorms; earthquakes

Iraqdust storms; sandstorms; floods

IrelandNA

Isle of ManNA

Israelsandstorms may occur during spring and summer; droughts;periodic earthquakes

Italyregional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches,earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venicevolcanism: Italy experiences significant volcanic activity; Etna(elev. 3,330 m, 10,925 ft), which is in eruption as of 2010, isEurope's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat tonearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius,which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in theBay of Naples area, have both been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by theInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesakeisland, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanicactivity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei,Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

Jamaicahurricanes (especially July to November)

Jan Mayendominated by the volcano Beerenbergvolcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) is Norway's onlyactive volcano; volcanic activity resumed in 1970; the most recenteruption occurred in 1985

Japanmany dormant and some active volcanoes; about 1,500 seismicoccurrences (mostly tremors) every year; tsunamis; typhoonsvolcanism: both Unzen (elev. 1,500 m, 4,621 ft) and Sakura-jima(elev. 1,117 m, 3,665 ft), which lies near the densely populatedcity of Kagoshima, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by theInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; other notable historicallyactive 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

JerseyNA

Jordandroughts; periodic earthquakes

Kazakhstanearthquakes in the south; mudslides around Almaty

Kenyarecurring drought; flooding during rainy seasonsvolcanism: Kenya experiences limited volcanic activity; the Barrier(elev. 1,032 m, 3,385 ft) last erupted in 1921; South Island is theonly other historically active volcano

Kiribatityphoons can occur any time, but usually November to March;occasional tornadoes; low level of some of the islands make themsensitive to changes in sea level

Korea, Northlate spring droughts often followed by severe flooding;occasional typhoons during the early fallvolcanism: Changbaishan (elev. 2,744 m, 9,003 ft) (also known asBaitoushan, Baegdu or P'aektu-san), on the Chinese border, isconsidered historically active

Korea, Southoccasional typhoons bring high winds and floods;low-level seismic activity common in southwestvolcanism: Halla (elev. 1,950 m, 6,398 ft) is consideredhistorically active although it has not erupted in many centuries

Kuwaitsudden cloudbursts are common from October to April and bringheavy rain, which can damage roads and houses; sandstorms and duststorms occur throughout the year but are most common between Marchand August

KyrgyzstanNA

Laosfloods, droughts

LatviaNA

Lebanondust storms, sandstorms

Lesothoperiodic droughts

Liberiadust-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara (December toMarch)

Libyahot, dry, dust-laden ghibli is a southern wind lasting one tofour days in spring and fall; dust storms, sandstorms

LiechtensteinNA

LithuaniaNA

LuxembourgNA

Macautyphoons

Macedoniahigh seismic risks

Madagascarperiodic cyclones; drought; and locust infestationvolcanism: Madagascar's volcanoes have not erupted in historicaltimes

MalawiNA

Malaysiaflooding; landslides; forest fires

Maldivestsunamis; low elevation of islands makes them sensitive tosea level rise

Malihot, dust-laden harmattan haze common during dry seasons;recurring droughts; occasional Niger River flooding

MaltaNA

Marshall Islandsinfrequent typhoons

Mauritaniahot, dry, dust/sand-laden sirocco wind blows primarily inMarch and April; periodic droughts

Mauritiuscyclones (November to April); almost completely surroundedby reefs that may pose maritime hazards

Mayottecyclones during rainy season

Mexicotsunamis along the Pacific coast, volcanoes and destructiveearthquakes in the center and south, and hurricanes on the Pacific,Gulf of Mexico, and Caribbean coastsvolcanism: Mexico experiences volcanic activity in thecentral-southern part of the country; the volcanoes in BajaCalifornia are mostly dormant; Colima (elev. 3,850 m, 12,631 ft),which erupted in 2010, is Mexico's most active volcano and isresponsible for causing periodic evacuations of nearby villagers; ithas been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the International Associationof Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy ofstudy due to its explosive history and close proximity to humanpopulations; Popocatepetl (elev. 5,426 m, 17,802 ft) poses a threatto Mexico City; other historically active volcanoes include Barcena,Ceboruco, El Chichon, Michoacan-Guanajuato, Pico de Orizaba, SanMartin, Socorro, and Tacana

Micronesia, Federated States oftyphoons (June to December)

Moldovalandslides

MonacoNA

Mongoliadust storms; grassland and forest fires; drought; "zud,"which is harsh winter conditions

Montenegrodestructive earthquakes

Montserratsevere hurricanes (June to November); volcanic eruptions(Soufriere Hills volcano has erupted continuously since 1995)

Morocconorthern mountains geologically unstable and subject toearthquakes; periodic droughts

Mozambiquesevere droughts; devastating cyclones and floods incentral and southern provinces

Namibiaprolonged periods of drought

Nauruperiodic droughts

Navassa Islandhurricanes

Nepalsevere thunderstorms; flooding; landslides; drought and faminedepending on the timing, intensity, and duration of the summermonsoons

Netherlandsflooding

New Caledoniacyclones, most frequent from November to Marchvolcanism: Matthew and Hunter Islands are historically active

New Zealandearthquakes are common, though usually not severe;volcanic activityvolcanism: New Zealand experiences significant volcanism on NorthIsland; Ruapehu (elev. 2,797 m, 9,177 ft), which last erupted in2007, has a history of large eruptions in the past century; Taranakihas the potential to produce dangerous avalanches and lahars; otherhistorically active volcanoes include Okataina, Raoul Island,Tongariro, and White Island

Nicaraguadestructive earthquakes; volcanoes; landslides; extremelysusceptible to hurricanesvolcanism: Nicaragua experiences significant volcanic activity;Cerro Negro (elev. 728 m, 2,388 ft), which last erupted in 1999, isone of Nicaragua's most active volcanoes; its lava flows and ashhave been known to cause significant damage to farmland andbuildings; other historically active volcanoes include Concepcion,Cosiguina, Las Pilas, Masaya, Momotombo, San Cristobal, and Telica

Nigerrecurring droughts

Nigeriaperiodic droughts; flooding

Niuetyphoons

Norfolk Islandtyphoons (especially May to July)

Northern Mariana Islandsactive volcanoes on Pagan and Agrihan;typhoons (especially August to November)

Norwayrockslides, avalanchesvolcanism: Beerenberg (elev. 2,227 m, 7,306 ft) on Jan Mayen Islandin the Norwegian Sea is the country's only active volcano

Omansummer winds often raise large sandstorms and dust storms ininterior; periodic droughts

Pacific Oceansurrounded by a zone of violent volcanic andearthquake activity sometimes referred to as the "Pacific Ring ofFire"; subject to tropical cyclones (typhoons) in southeast and eastAsia from May to December (most frequent from July to October);tropical cyclones (hurricanes) may form south of Mexico and strikeCentral America and Mexico from June to October (most common inAugust and September); cyclical El Nino/La Nina phenomenon occurs inthe equatorial Pacific, influencing weather in the WesternHemisphere and the western Pacific; ships subject to superstructureicing in extreme north from October to May; persistent fog in thenorthern Pacific can be a maritime hazard from June to December

Pakistanfrequent earthquakes, occasionally severe especially innorth and west; flooding along the Indus after heavy rains (July andAugust)

Palautyphoons (June to December)

Panamaoccasional severe storms and forest fires in the Darien area

Papua New Guineaactive volcanism; situated along the Pacific "Ringof Fire"; the country is subject to frequent and sometimes severeearthquakes; mud slides; tsunamisvolcanism: Papua New Guinea experiences severe volcanic activity;Ulawun (elev. 2,334 m, 7,657 ft), one of Papua New Guinea'spotentially most dangerous volcanoes, has been deemed a "DecadeVolcano" by the International Association of Volcanology andChemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to itsexplosive history and close proximity to human populations; Rabaul(elev. 688 m, 2,257 ft) destroyed the city of Rabaul in 1937 and1994; Lamington erupted in 1951 killing 3,000 people; Manam's 2004eruption forced the island's abandonment; other historically activevolcanoes include Bam, Bagana, Garbuna, Karkar, Langila, Lolobau,Long Island, Pago, St. Andrew Strait, Victory, and Waiowa

Paracel Islandstyphoons

Paraguaylocal flooding in southeast (early September to June);poorly drained plains may become boggy (early October to June)

Peruearthquakes, tsunamis, flooding, landslides, mild volcanicactivityvolcanism: Peru experiences volcanic activity in the AndesMountains; Ubinas (elev. 5,672 m, 18,609 ft), which last erupted in2009, is the country's most active volcano; other historicallyactive volcanoes include El Misti, Huaynaputina, Sabancaya, andYucamane

Philippinesastride typhoon belt, usually affected by 15 and struckby five to six cyclonic storms per year; landslides; activevolcanoes; destructive earthquakes; tsunamisvolcanism: the Philippines experience significant volcanic activity;Taal (elev. 311 m, 1,020 ft), which has shown recent unrest and mayerupt in the near future, has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by theInternational Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; Mayon (elev. 2,462 m, 8,077ft), the country's most active volcano, erupted in 2009 forcing over33,000 to be evacuated; other historically active volcanoes includeBiliran, Babuyan Claro, Bulusan, Camiguin, Camiguin de Babuyanes,Didicas, Iraya, Jolo, Kanlaon, Makaturing, Musuan, Parker, Pinatuboand Ragang

Pitcairn Islandstyphoons (especially November to March)

Polandflooding

PortugalAzores subject to severe earthquakesvolcanism: Portugal experiences limited volcanic activity in theAzores Islands; Fayal or Faial (elev. 1,043 m, 3,422 ft) lasterupted 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 Ricoperiodic droughts; hurricanes

Qatarhaze, dust storms, sandstorms common

Romaniaearthquakes, most severe in south and southwest; geologicstructure and climate promote landslides

Russiapermafrost over much of Siberia is a major impediment todevelopment; volcanic activity in the Kuril Islands; volcanoes andearthquakes on the Kamchatka Peninsula; spring floods andsummer/autumn forest fires throughout Siberia and parts of EuropeanRussiavolcanism: Russia experiences significant volcanic activity on theKamchatka Peninsula and Kuril Islands; the peninsula alone is hometo some 29 historically active volcanoes, with dozens more in theKuril Islands; Kliuchevskoi (elev. 4,835 m, 15,863 ft), whicherupted in 2007 and 2010, is Kamchatka's most active volcano;Avachinsky and Koryaksky volcanoes, which pose a threat to the cityof Petropavlovsk-Kamchatskiy, have been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" bythe International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of theEarth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history andclose proximity to human populations; other notable historicallyactive volcanoes include Bezymianny, Chikurachki, Ebeko, Gorely,Grozny, Karymsky, Ketoi, Kronotsky, Ksudach, Medvezhia, Mutnovsky,Sarychev Peak, Shiveluch, Tiatia, Tolbachik, and Zheltovsky

Rwandaperiodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in thenorthwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congovolcanism: Visoke (elev. 3,711 m, 12,175 ft), located on the borderwith the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's onlyhistorically active volcano

Saint Helena, Ascension, and Tristan da Cunhaactive volcanism onTristan da Cunhavolcanism: the island volcanoes of Tristan da Cunha (elev. 2,060 m,6,758 ft) and Nightingale Island (elev. 365 m, 1,197 ft) experiencevolcanic activity; Tristan da Cunha erupted in 1962 and Nightingalein 2004

Saint Kitts and Nevishurricanes (July to October)

Saint Luciahurricanes; volcanic activity

Saint Martinsubject to hurricanes from July to November

Saint Pierre and Miquelonpersistent fog throughout the year can bea maritime hazard

Saint Vincent and the Grenadineshurricanes; Soufriere volcano onthe island of Saint Vincent is a constant threat

Samoaoccasional typhoons; active volcanismvolcanism: Savai'I Island (elev. 1,858 m, 6,096 ft), which lasterupted in 1911, is historically active

San MarinoNA

Sao Tome and PrincipeNA

Saudi Arabiafrequent sand and dust stormsvolcanism: Despite Saudi Arabia's many volcanic formations, therehas been little activity in the past few centuries; volcanoesinclude Harrat Rahat, Harrat Khaybar, Harrat Lunayyir, and Jabal Yar

Senegallowlands seasonally flooded; periodic droughts

Serbiadestructive earthquakes

Seychelleslies outside the cyclone belt, so severe storms are rare;short droughts possible

Sierra Leonedry, sand-laden harmattan winds blow from the Sahara(December to February); sandstorms, dust storms

SingaporeNA

Sint Maartensubject to hurricanes from July to November

SlovakiaNA

Sloveniaflooding; earthquakes

Solomon Islandstyphoons, but rarely destructive; geologicallyactive region with frequent earthquakes, tremors, and volcanicactivity; tsunamisvolcanism: Tinakula (elev. 851 m, 2,792 ft) has frequent eruptionactivity, while an eruption of Savo (elev. 485 m, 1,591 ft) couldaffect the capital Honiara on nearby Guadalcanal

Somaliarecurring droughts; frequent dust storms over eastern plainsin summer; floods during rainy season

South Africaprolonged droughtsvolcanism: the volcano forming Marion Island in the Prince EdwardIslands, which last erupted in 2004, is South Africa's only activevolcano

South Georgia and South Sandwich Islandsthe South Sandwich Islandshave prevailing weather conditions that generally make themdifficult to approach by ship; they are also subject to activevolcanism

Southern Oceanhuge icebergs with drafts up to several hundredmeters; smaller bergs and iceberg fragments; sea ice (generally 0.5to 1 m thick) with sometimes dynamic short-term variations and withlarge annual and interannual variations; deep continental shelffloored by glacial deposits varying widely over short distances;high winds and large waves much of the year; ship icing, especiallyMay-October; most of region is remote from sources of search andrescue

Spainperiodic droughts, occasional floodingvolcanism: Spain experiences volcanic activity in the CanaryIslands, located off Africa's northwest coast; Teide (elev. 3,715 m,12,188 ft) has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the InternationalAssociation of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior,worthy of study due to its explosive history and close proximity tohuman populations; La Palma (elev. 2,426 m, 7,959 ft), which lasterupted in 1971, is the most active of the Canary Islands volcanoes;Lanzarote is the only other historically active volcano

Spratly Islandstyphoons; numerous reefs and shoals pose a seriousmaritime hazard

Sri Lankaoccasional cyclones and tornadoes

Sudandust storms and periodic persistent droughts

SurinameNA

Svalbardice floes often block the entrance to Bellsund (a transitpoint for coal export) on the west coast and occasionally make partsof the northeastern coast inaccessible to maritime traffic

Swazilanddrought

Swedenice floes in the surrounding waters, especially in the Gulfof Bothnia, can interfere with maritime traffic

Switzerlandavalanches, landslides; flash floods

Syriadust storms, sandstormsvolcanism: Syria's two historically active volcanoes, Es Safa and anunnamed volcano near the Turkish border have not erupted in centuries

Taiwanearthquakes; typhoonsvolcanism: Kueishantao Island (elev. 401 m, 1,316 ft), east ofTaiwan, is its only historically active volcano, although it has noterupted in centuries

Tajikistanearthquakes; floods

Tanzaniaflooding on the central plateau during the rainy season;droughtvolcanism: Tanzania experiences limited volcanic activity; Ol DoinyoLengai (elev. 2,962 m, 9,718 ft) has emitted lava in recent years;other historically active volcanoes include Kieyo and Meru

Thailandland subsidence in Bangkok area resulting from thedepletion of the water table; droughts

Timor-Lestefloods and landslides are common; earthquakes; tsunamis;tropical cyclones

Togohot, dry harmattan wind can reduce visibility in north duringwinter; periodic droughts

Tokelaulies in Pacific typhoon belt

Tongacyclones (October to April); earthquakes and volcanic activityon Fonuafo'ouvolcanism: the Tonga Islands experience volcanic activity; Fonualei(elev. 180 m, 591 ft) has shown frequent activity in recent years,while Niuafo'ou (elev. 260 m, 853 ft), which last erupted in 1985,has forced evacuations; other historically active volcanoes includeLate and Tofua

Trinidad and Tobagooutside usual path of hurricanes and othertropical storms

TunisiaNA

Turkeysevere earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along anarc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Vanvolcanism: Turkey experiences little volcanic activity; its threehistorically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and TendurekDagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

TurkmenistanNA

Turks and Caicos Islandsfrequent hurricanes

Tuvalusevere tropical storms are usually rare, but in 1997 therewere three cyclones; low level of islands make them sensitive tochanges in sea level

UgandaNA

UkraineNA

United Arab Emiratesfrequent sand and dust storms

United Kingdomwinter windstorms; floods

United Statestsunamis; volcanoes; earthquake activity aroundPacific Basin; hurricanes along the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexicocoasts; tornadoes in the Midwest and Southeast; mud slides inCalifornia; forest fires in the west; flooding; permafrost innorthern Alaska, a major impediment to developmentvolcanism: the United States experiences volcanic activity in theHawaiian Islands, Western Alaska, the Pacific Northwest, and in theNorthern Mariana Islands; both Mauna Loa (elev. 4,170 m, 13,678 ft)in Hawaii and Mount Rainier (elev. 4,392 m, 14,409 ft) in Washingtonhave been deemed "Decade Volcanoes" by the International Associationof Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy ofstudy due to their explosive history and close proximity to humanpopulations; Pavlof (elev. 2,519 m, 8,264 ft) is the most activevolcano in Alaska's Aleutian Arc and poses a significant threat toair travel since the area constitutes a major flight path betweenNorth America and East Asia; St. Helens (elev. 2,549 m, 8,363 ft),famous for the devastating 1980 eruption, remains active today;numerous other historically active volcanoes exist, mostlyconcentrated in the Aleutian arc and Hawaii; they include: inAlaska: Aniakchak, Augustine, Chiginagak, Fourpeaked, Iliamna,Katmai, Kupreanof, Martin, Novarupta, Redoubt, Spurr, Wrangell; inHawaii: Trident, Ugashik-Peulik, Ukinrek Maars, Veniaminof; in theNorthern Mariana Islands: Anatahan; and in the Pacific Northwest:Mount Baker, Mount Hood

United States Pacific Island Wildlife RefugesBaker, Howland, andJarvis Islands: the narrow fringing reef surrounding the island canbe a maritime hazardKingman Reef: wet or awash most of the time, maximum elevation ofless than 2 m makes Kingman Reef a maritime hazardMidway Islands, Johnston, and Palmyra Atolls: NA

Uruguayseasonally high winds (the pampero is a chilly andoccasional violent wind that blows north from the Argentine pampas),droughts, floods; because of the absence of mountains, which act asweather barriers, all locations are particularly vulnerable to rapidchanges from weather fronts

UzbekistanNA

Vanuatutropical cyclones or typhoons (January to April); volcaniceruption on Aoba (Ambae) island began on 27 November 2005, volcanismalso causes minor earthquakes; tsunamisvolcanism: Vanuatu experiences significant volcanic activity, withmany volcanoes erupting in recent years; Yasur (elev. 361 m, 1,184ft), one of the world's most active volcanoes, has experiencedcontinuous activity in recent centuries; other historically activevolcanoes include, Aoba, Ambrym, Epi, Gaua, Kuwae, Lopevi,Suretamatai, and Traitor's Head


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