The CIA World Factbook Every edition, 1997 to 2025 World

Natural hazards World, in 29 editions.

The entry for World published Natural hazards in 29 editions of 36, from 1997 to 2025. The text changed in 11 editions. Each is shown as published. Natural hazards in every entry.

editions changed the text
11
the first edition with it
1997
the latest edition with it
2025

Published as “Natural hazards” (1997 to 2025).

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2025

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large areas of the world are subject to severe weather and natural disasters (cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, etc.)

volcanism:
this is a driver and consequence of plate tectonics, the physical process reshaping the Earth's lithosphere; the world is home to more than 1,500 potentially active volcanoes, with over 500 of these erupting in recorded history; an estimated 500 million people live near volcanoes; associated dangers include lava flows, mud flows, pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, ash fall, ballistic projectiles, gas emissions, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis; in the 1990s, the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior created a list of 16 "Decade Volcanoes" with great potential for destruction: Avachinsky-Koryaksky (Russia), Colima (Mexico), Etna (Italy), Galeras (Colombia), Mauna Loa (US), Merapi (Indonesia), Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rainier (US), Sakurajima (Japan), Santa Maria (Guatemala), Santorini (Greece), Taal (Philippines), Teide (Spain), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea), Unzen (Japan), Vesuvius (Italy)
volcano statistics:
countries with the most volcanoes:

(Holocene Epoch, the past 12,000 years*): United States (162), Japan (122), Indonesia (120), Russia (117), Chile (91);

  • *roughly 1,350 volcanoes have erupted over this time period;
  • about 40-50 eruptions are ongoing at any one time;
  • the frequency of volcanoes has not increased
longest erupting volcano:
Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala has been constantly erupting since 22 June 1922; the Yasur volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu has been in constant activity since Captain Cook observed it in 1774, but it is not cited due to lack of a clear start date; tephra stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating show that the Yasur activity may have begun ca. A.D. 1270
highest volcano (above sea level):
Nevado Ojos del Salado (6,893 m; 22,615 ft) on the Chile-Argentina border is the world's highest volcano above sea level and the highest peak in Chile
highest volcano (from base):
  • Mauna Kea (US) is the world's tallest mountain, measured from base to summit;
  • the peak lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km (43 mi) offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m;
  • total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m
earthquakes:
  • the vast majority of earthquakes occur in three large zones;
  • the Circum-Pacific Belt (known as the Ring of Fire) borders the Pacific and is the largest zone of volcanic and seismic activity, with about 90% of earthquakes (81% of the largest) and about 75% of active volcanoes;
  • the belt extends northward from Chile along the South American coast, then through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand;
  • the Alpide Belt extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, eastward through the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic Ocean, accounting for about 17% of the largest earthquakes;
  • the third belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge

large areas of the world are subject to severe weather (tropical cyclones) and natural disasters (earthquakes, (cyclones, earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions) eruptions, etc.)
volcanism: volcanism this is a fundamental driver and consequence of plate tectonics, the physical process reshaping the Earth's lithosphere; the world is home to more than 1,500 potentially active volcanoes, with over 500 of these having erupted erupting in historical times; recorded history; an estimated 500 million people live near volcanoes; associated dangers include lava flows, lahars (mudflows), mud flows, pyroclastic flows, ash clouds, ash fall, ballistic projectiles, gas emissions, landslides, earthquakes, and tsunamis; in the 1990s, the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior created a list of 16 "Decade Volcanoes" worthy of special study because of their with great potential for destruction: Avachinsky-Koryaksky (Russia), Colima (Mexico), Etna (Italy), Galeras (Colombia), Mauna Loa (United States), (US), Merapi (Indonesia), Nyiragongo (Democratic Republic of the Congo), Rainier (United States), (US), Sakurajima (Japan), Santa Maria (Guatemala), Santorini (Greece), Taal (Philippines), Teide (Spain), Ulawun (Papua New Guinea), Unzen (Japan), Vesuvius (Italy); see second note under "Geography - note" (Italy)
Volcano volcano statistics:
countries with the most volcanoes volcanoes: (Holocene Epoch, the past 12,000 years): years*): United States (162), Japan (122), Indonesia (120), Russia (117), Chile (91); note - roughly
*roughly 1,350 volcanoes have erupted over this time period; about 40-50 eruptions are ongoing at any one time; the frequency of volcanoes has not increased
longest erupting volcano: Santa Maria volcano in Guatemala has been constantly erupting since 22 June 1922; note - Captain Cook observed the Yasur volcano on Tanna Island in Vanuatu in 1774, and it has since been in constant activity since Captain Cook observed it in 1774, but it is not cited due to lack of a clear start date; research (tephra tephra stratigraphy and radiocarbon dating) shows dating show that the Yasur activity may have begun on Yasur ca. A.D. 1270 and so has persisted for over 750 years
highest volcano (above sea level) : level): Nevado Ojos del Salado (6,893 m; 22,615 ft) on the Chile-Argentina border is the world's highest volcano above sea level and the highest peak in Chile
highest volcano (from base) : base): Mauna Kea (United States) (US) is the world's tallest mountain as mountain, measured from base to summit; the peak of this volcanic colossus lies on the island of Hawaii, but its base begins more than 70 km (43 mi) offshore and at a depth of about 6,000 m; total height estimates range from 9,966 m to 10,203 m
earthquakes: the vast majority of earthquakes occur in three large zones; the Circum-Pacific Belt (known as the Ring of Fire) borders the Pacific and is the largest zone of volcanic and seismic activity, with about 90% of earthquakes (81% of the largest) and about 75% of active volcanoes; the belt extends northward from Chile along the South American coast, then through Central America, Mexico, the western US, southern Alaska, and the Aleutian Islands, to Japan, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, the southwestern Pacific, and New Zealand; the Alpide Belt extends from Java to Sumatra, northward along the mountains of Burma, eastward through the Himalayas and the Mediterranean, and into the Atlantic Ocean, accounting for about 17% of the largest earthquakes; the third belt follows the long Mid-Atlantic Ridge

Central Intelligence Agency. “World: Natural hazards.” The World Factbook, 1997–2025 editions. Archived by The Factbook, thefactbook.org/world/natural-hazards.

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