Every year more and more people strive to settle in the comfortable conditions of megalopolises. It is good if these settlements are located in a safe area. But some of them are built in potentially hazardous areas under constant threat of flooding, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other disasters. We bring to your attention a list of the most dangerous cities in the world, which can be completely or partially destroyed by natural disasters.
1. LOS ANGELES
The greatest threat to Los Angeles is from earthquakes. The San Andreas fault passing near the city can lead to a catastrophic tremor, which will entail the destruction of buildings and the death of people. Rumors that in the event of a large-scale seismic event, California will break away from the continent and collapse into the sea, is greatly exaggerated, but the damage can be very high.
2. SAN FRANCISCO
Like Los Angeles, San Francisco is one of the most dangerous cities in the world and could be hit by an earthquake. Both San Andreas and the Hayward Fault, which runs along the east coast of the San Francisco Bay, are capable of causing it. The city has a lot of old infrastructure that will be leveled to the ground. One should not expect a large tsunami destroying the Golden Gate (as in the movie "San Andreas Rift"), but the shock will surely be followed by chaos, as it was after the seismic catastrophe that shook the metropolis in 1906.
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3. NAGOYA, JAPAN
The biggest danger to the city is an earthquake and the following tsunami. Nagoya is inhabited by more than 2 million people, who are very concerned about the location of the city on the direct route of a large wave from the Pacific Ocean. In addition to tremors and tsunamis, three other natural disasters threaten the settlement - river floods, storm surges and storm winds.
4. TOKYO, JAPAN
Tokyo may be hit by a seismic event and tsunami. The Japanese capital with its huge population (more than 13 million people) is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire and is constantly threatened by large earthquakes. In 1923, during the so-called "Great Kanto Earthquake", the city was stripped of all stone buildings and was destroyed in half by subsequent fires. Then the Japanese government even considered the possibility of transferring the capital, but in the end, Tokyo retained its status.
5. HILO, HAWAII
The city of Hilo in Hawaii is located in close proximity to the largest land volcano - Mauna Loa. During its eruptions, the giant throws out more lava than all other Hawaiian volcanoes. In 1984, its lava flow almost reached Hilo, stopping just 7 km from the city boundaries. Fortunately for the locals, the lava flows very slowly, so they will have the opportunity to evacuate in a timely manner. Another danger to the city is tsunami. In 1946, about 160 people died from a large wave that came from the Aleutian Islands, and in 1960 more than 60 people were victims of the tsunami that was formed after the earthquake in Chile.
6. MANAGUA, NICARAGUA
Situated close to Masaya National Park, the Nicaraguan capital is not in a better position than Hilo. A major eruption of the Masaya volcanic complex, composed of many craters and nested calderas, could cause significant damage to the city. The giant erupted in 2001, 2003, and 2008, and scientists expect it to explode again at any time. In addition, large volumes of sulfur dioxide and other gases are constantly emitted from the active crater of Santiago, located inside one of the calderas, which can cause acid rain and, as a result, human health problems.
7. NEW ORLEANS, LOUISIANA
Hurricane Katrina, which struck the Louisiana coast in 2005 and killed more than 1,500 people, is well remembered by many. The risk of new flooding in New Orleans remains high. Despite the fact that its dams have been restored, and the infrastructure has undergone major modernization, a significant part of the metropolis has no fortification protection. In addition, the region is experiencing declining soil levels and rising sea levels, which collectively are a bad combination.
8. NAPLES, ITALY
Within the boundaries of beautiful Naples, there are two dangerous volcanoes at once, which together or separately can completely destroy the city. To the southeast rises the famous Vesuvius, well known for the destruction of Pompeii and Herculaneum in 79. To the west, the Campi-Flegrei caldera stretches, which in recent decades has been showing increased activity, and in the 1980s it was actually on the verge of eruption.
9. WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND
Wellington is often subject to stormy winds and earthquakes, but the biggest threat to it is tsunamis, which can be caused by underwater landslides in Cook Street Canyon. The collapse of the seabed can lead to a 10-meter wave that will reach the coast within 10 minutes.
10. AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND
The largest city in New Zealand is located on a volcanic field consisting of a large number of lava domes, shield volcanoes, maars, and cinder cones. The last eruption in this area occurred about 600 years ago and led to the formation of the volcanic island of Rangitoto. According to the latest research, new eruptions in Auckland could occur within the next 100 years.