Final Hazards Report

 Finalizing Haiti

Haiti's Main Natural Hazards

        Haiti is no stranger to a number of natural hazards to date. The most dangerous ones, from most to least hazardous, are earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. Although they have been ranked from most to least hazardous, these are the events that take place most often in the country. These hazards are also ranked as a priority due to the severity of damages they cause and also because of how likely they continue to occur. They are also seen as a priority because they are the main events that seem to be worsening throughout the past couple of decades as a result of climate change. These events are also the reason why Haiti is considered the poorest country in all the Western hemisphere.

        As flooding is the result of hurricanes, earthquakes and such happen so often in Haiti due to its location in the Caribbean. Haiti's location is prime territory for hurricanes and tropical storms. The country also lies right between the Caribbean and North American Plate boundaries, resulting in several fault lines between the two. This makes Haiti that much more vulnerable to experiencing earthquakes all too often. 

        In order to help mitigate Haiti's earthquake and hurricane hazards, it is important to start with infrastructure. This helps to minimize damages to most buildings from collapsing which can injure the people inside them. This would also increase flexibility in buildings and housing for movement that occurs during extreme earthquakes. It is also highly recommended to keep extra batteries and radios in homes for further instruction of where to evacuate before and after earthquakes or hurricanes. Three-day food and water supplies are also highly necessary in the event that these hazards do occur. 

        The riskiest areas that are most exposed to natural hazards are low lying and coastal regions. Mountainous areas are also exposed to a lot of water runoff making them vulnerable to landslides when hurricanes occur. The Sud region of Les Cayes and the east department of the coast are most exposed and vulnerable to flooding. For this reason, it important that these areas have stable housing or established evacuation routes to avoid further damages and injuries to those living in them.  

        

        A good area for housing, as shown in the map above, would be far from coastal regions on elevated ground. Not all, but most areas in the green regions would be great for housing to avoid potential natural hazards, especially hurricanes and earthquakes. Hinch or Verrettes would be the best choices, as they are in stable surrounded land away from the water and closer to the Dominican Republic. Although these hazards are inevitable, damages to buildings and injuries or deaths can best be avoided in these regions. 

Resources:

The History of Natural Disasters in Haiti - uFondwa-USA, Inc.

The reason behind devastating earthquakes in Haiti (breezyscroll.com)

Haiti Earthquake Mitigation - My Site (weebly.com)

Haiti risk mapping 20120130 (cordaid.org)

Haiti: Extreme Weather

 Haiti's Extremes

    The most extreme type of weather the country of Haiti experiences is hurricanes. According to The Guardian, as of 2019 hurricanes and more natural disasters can be caused due to climate change not only in Haiti, but in a couple of other countries as well. This does not only include hurricanes, but also droughts which then lead to food crisis'. 

    According the another source, Thomson Reuters, as of September of this year, farmers are also having trouble due to the climate change. The rainfall patterns are getting difficult to work with as it has effects on the harvest. 

    

    The people are however learning to navigate through these extreme conditions. Since the main threat to Haiti as of today are droughts and hurricanes, they are cutting down more trees for coal usage. This makes the land more vulnerable to landslides as they have also been experiencing a lot of flooding with the inconsistent rain patterns occurring. However with the help of the CSA (Climate Smart Agriculture), they are making an effort to ensure their food security. 

    As of 2016, Haiti has been known to top every other country for extreme weather, but especially during this year. Haiti is 9 of the 10 countries that has not only experienced the worst weather, but has also been effected the most and suffering the worst of the consequences. A lot of these countries, along with Haiti, have cost the united States $47.7 billion in damages. Even then, Haiti if one of the countries that is said to not even be able to recover fully from these extreme weather hazards. 

Sources: Climate change 'cause of most under-reported humanitarian crises' | Climate science | The Guardian

Haiti farmers hit hard by storms and drought with little support (trust.org)

How Haiti is Becoming More Resilient to Extreme Weather - Farming First

Haiti tops index of nations worst-hit by extreme weather in 2016 | Reuters

Haiti's Volcanic History

 Volcanoes and More

    The country of Haiti was actually formed due to the collision of volcanic arcs including the North American plate. It is made up of 11 former island arcs. While there is no current volcanic activity present in these times, the country does have a past with volcanoes. 

    There are a total of two Pleistocene volcanoes which include Morne la Vigie and Thomazeau. The last time these volcanoes were active was about 1.5million years ago. According to recent research, Thomazeau is thought to probably already be extinct, being located in Port-au-Prince. Much like Thomazeau, Morne la Vigie is known to probably also be extinct, representing one of the youngest volcanoes in Haiti's history. 

    Although Haiti has experienced a recent major earthquake this past August, there is not known to be any further volcanic disturbance regarding it. 

Resources

Haiti | An Armchair Volcanologist (thearmchairvolcanologist.com)

Thomazeau volcano (Haiti) facts & information / VolcanoDiscovery

Morne la Vigie volcano (Haiti) facts & information / VolcanoDiscovery

Talking Tectonics

 Where Haiti Lies

    Haiti sits on the tectonic plate of the Caribbean. also known as a transform plate boundary within the North American Plate. It is actually near the juncture of two shifting tectonic plates, hence plenty of earthquakes on the island. Since it is at the edge of the slowly shifting Caribbean plate, the movements of it actually build up stresses in a network of fractures crisscrossing the island. The eventually release that stress in the event of earthquakes. Although Haiti does not often experience earthquakes that are too powerful, the can still seem to cause major disasters due to the fact that Haiti's infrastructure was not made to withstand earthquakes. 

    Overall, the impacts from their most recent earthquake being on August 14th of 2021 are still not yet fully clear.  All we know as of now is that many are still suffering the consequences and there have been many not only injured, but also dead. 

Intro to Haiti

Introducing: Haiti

     As most may know, the country of Haiti is no stranger when it comes to dealing with natural disasters. Regardless, it is best known for its location in the Caribbean Sea, neighboring Cuba, Jamaica, and the Bahamas. Haiti is also known mostly for its climate. It is mostly humid and tropical within the region variating in temperatures depending on seasons and climate. On average, temperatures can range from 70 degrees F in January and February to mid 80s in July and August. 

    Haiti is currently amidst devastation after facing a 7.2 earthquake, in which death tolls are actually expected to continue rising. According to researchers, the death toll has recently risen to 1,297 and leaving around 2,800 injured. Many of the survivors were forced to shelter in either streets or soccer fields due to destroyed and damaged homes. Haiti and its people could still soon face further flooding due to heavy rain as well as landslides.

 

If you would like to help Haiti in their times of need, Project HOPE is helping fund relief for the country. You can donate to the link below in order to help Haitian families and individuals recover from their losses. Thank you.

Donate to Project HOPE to help Haitians in need