Dependence of Losses from Natural Hazards on the Prosperity of Societies: A Brief Review Volume 1 - Issue 5

MV Rodkin*

• Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

Received: February 24, 2020   Published: March 03, 2020

Corresponding author: MV Rodkin, Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia

 

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Abstract

The losses due to natural disasters depend, not only on the magnitude of natural destructive factors, but also on the socioeconomic situation in the society and its capability to withstand those natural factors. Overall, as the Technosphere is developing and the national wealth increases, the economic losses from disasters become larger, while the number of casualties stabilizes, or even decreases. This tendency is especially pronounced when countries with different levels of economic maturity are compared. Viewing the historical past, we can see not infrequent cases in which major natural disasters preceded the conquest of the political community concerned. However, the converse can also happen: A developing socio-economic crisis results in greater vulnerability and favors especially large losses.

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