Haiti is
frequently exposed to hydrometerological and other
climate-related hazards caused by atmospheric disturbances. These are: tsunamis, tropical
waves and hurricanes, and polar fronts which expose coastal populations
to strong winds, storm surges, and wave coastal flooding. These combined hazards, in addition to coastal
erosion, make for a hazardous
shoreline.
Tsunamis
The subduction
zone in which the Greater Antilles is located is well known for producing
tsunamigenic earth-quakes as it did with a 2-3 meter tsunami on Port-Au
Prince’s shoreline which killed three post-earthquake on January 12, 2010,
bringing Haiti’s total Tsunami count to ten.
Storm Surges
Haiti’s
geographical proximity to Jamaica to the southwest and Cuba to the west reduces
the exposure of Portau-Prince bay to storm surges generated by tropical
cyclones that usually travel from east to west. The coasts in this bay
nonetheless remain exposed to rising sea levels caused by locally generated
winds. The southern part of the island
has bathymetric features heightening storm surges. Exposed to strong hurricane
winds, the island’s Caribbean southern coastline could sustain particularly
significant damage from long and strong surges (tidal waves) of 8-10 meters.
yes, it seems your country has almost 'one of each' hazard....any idea of erosion rates?
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like your country has some strong storm surges. Its also interesting that your country is effected by atmospheric disturbances that create tropical storm fronts.
ReplyDeleteHaiti is rated number 5 on the World Bank's Top Ten List of Naturally Hazardous Countries. The coastal erosion is estimated at between .25 and 9 meters per year.
ReplyDeletewow...9m/yr is crazy...
ReplyDelete