SUMMER 2003GEOHAZARDS COURSE AT UWI, MONA - page 010

Prepared and compiled by Rafi Ahmad, Unit for Disaster Studies,
Department of Geography and Geology,
University of the West Indies, Mona, Kingston 7, Jamaica

CASE HISTORY WITH EXAMPLES

1 A. 1 Lectures 2-4 : NATURAL HAZARDS & DISASTERS: CARIBBEAN

NOTE:INTRODUCE AND EXPLAIN TERMS AS BOXES AS THEY COME UP DURING THE LECTURES. There is an overlap with Module 4.

Draft
INTRODUCTION TO NATURAL HAZARDS AND DISASTERS IN THE CARIBBEAN: EXAMPLE FROM JAMAICA
Compiled by RAFI AHMAD

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Historical records show that on the island of Jamaica and its environs a number of naturally occurring earth processes have led to undesirable consequences, adversely affecting its citizenry, their properties and social and economic activities. These processes are also known to have left a profound impact on the physical environment of the island. "Natural Hazards" is a collective term for these processes (Box-1). The geologic characteristics and geographic location largely govern the vulnerability of Jamaica to natural hazards of all sorts. Although most of the hazards affecting the island are a result of natural earth processes that cannot be controlled, more than often their negative impact is greatly influenced by human actions. Also, one hazardous condition may trigger a series of other hazards, in a domino type effect. This scenario is referred to as multiple natural hazards. For example, widespread landslides and liquefaction also accompanied the earthquakes of 1692 and 1907. The landslide activity contributed to erosion and destruction of forestlands. Land use planning on the island, therefore, must take into consideration accurate hazard information and highlight the geological constraints on land use. In order to protect lives and property, hazard zonation maps are needed which would delineate landsurfaces on the basis of likelihood of the occurrence of hazardous events (Box-2).
In this chapter a summary of the physical environment of Jamaica is presented first, This is followed by a brief description of each of the natural hazards and their disastrous impact on the island, highlighting the vulnerability and elements at risk.

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