Natural hazards in Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica, Central America

Jonnathan Reyes, Mario Fernández, Sara Grineski, Timothy Collins

Department of Sociology and Anthropology, University of Texas, El Paso, USA.
School of Geography, University of Costa Rica (UCR), San José, Costa Rica.
University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica;School of Geology, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica;Center for Research in Geological Sciences, University of Costa Rica, San José, Costa Rica;Red Sismológica Nacional (RSN: ICE-UCR), San José, Costa Rica.

DOI: 10.4236/ns.2014.63017                

Abstract

Santo Domingo de Heredia, Costa Rica is a county facing serious risks from natural hazards, specifically flooding, earthquakes, volcanic activity and landslides. In order to inform disaster risk reduction efforts and improve the safety and well-being of local residents, this article assessed these natural hazards using a geographical approach. First, we described the four hazards based on a review of reports from previous emergencies, scientific papers and newspaper articles. Second, we integrated spatial data on each hazard to create a hazard density index for the county at the level of the census unit (n = 140). Results demonstrate that river flooding has caused the most damage of the four hazards in recent times. Both seismic and volcanic risks (specifically ash fall from volcanic eruptions) affect the entire area of Santo Domingo. Landslides have affected localized, settled areas of steep river canyons in the southern part of the county. In general, the highest density of hazards is located in the southern reaches of Santo Domingo. As such, we recommend that local authorities concentrate their management efforts in that area.

Keywords

Hazards; Earthquakes; Floods; Eruptions; Landslides; Faults; Index

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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