The document discusses trends in tectonic hazards such as earthquakes and volcanoes. It notes that the annual death toll from earthquakes has been higher in recent decades than in the last century, despite earthquake frequency remaining normal. Additionally, over 50-60 volcanoes erupt each year worldwide, and earthquakes cause the most deaths per event, killing over 495,000 people between 1988 and 2007. The economic costs of disasters have also risen over time.

1. Global Trends
TRENDS IN TECTONIC HAZARDS

2. Impacts by Disaster 1992-2011 (UNISDR,
2011)

3. Impacts by Disaster 2001-10 vs 2011

4. Economic Damage over Time (UNISDR
2011)

5. (USGS, 2011)

6. The recent annual death toll from earthquakes has been more than 75
000 higher than in any comparable period in the last century, and shows
that the number of earthquakes causing significant human and economic
loss has increased since the 1970s. This is at the same time as the
annual frequency of earthquakes remaining within the ‘normal’ limits of
expected seismic activity.
(Spence et al., 2011)
“There are more than 1500 volcanoes potentially,
active in the world and more than one million volcanic
vents under the sea; about 50-60 volcanoes erupt
every year worldwide.
Earthquakes are the natural hazard that causes most
deaths per event. According to CRED between 1988
and 2007, more than 495 000 people died in
earthquakes and approximately 3 billion people live in
regions prone to earthquakes.”
(UNISDR, 2011)

7. Key Points:
• rising costs over time.
• earthquakes kill a significant number of
people.
• earthquakes cause widespread damage
and death.
• volcanoes tend to have ‘smaller’ impact
in a more localised area.
• there are frequent examples of extreme
high magnitude incidents that can have a
dramatic impact on overall trends.