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Atmosphere
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Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition)
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Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition)

A special issue of Atmosphere (ISSN 2073-4433). This special issue belongs to the section "Biosphere/Hydrosphere/Land–Atmosphere Interactions".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 January 2025 | Viewed by 10027

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Tin Lukić

E-Mail Website1 Website2
Guest Editor
Department of Geography, Tourism and Hotel Management, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, Novi Sad 21000, Serbia
Interests: physical geography; natural hazards; rainfall erosivity; climate extremes; climatology; meteorology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue is a follow-up of the first Special Issue entitled “Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment” (https://www.mdpi.com/journal/atmosphere/special_issues/natural_disasters_hazards) published in Atmosphere in 2023 and will cover all aspects of natural hazard and disaster research in geography.

Natural hazards mostly occur as sudden, disastrous events with a high possibility of causing harm to various aspects of human life. Both natural hazard research and natural disaster research in geography have a long history and have evolved to incorporate the complexities of physical and human environments, as well as their interactions. Our understanding of the dimensions of hazards continues to be ever changing. The study of these phenomena strives to encompass all casualties in the environment, especially within the geosphere.

While natural hazards present a threat to humans and their environment, they do not necessarily result from natural and environmental processes and causes alone. Processes of interaction between different systems also bring about hazards. In the era of pronounced climate variability, understanding and predicting future hazard variability and occurrence patterns, as well as consequences in the geographical environment, are scientific challenges crucial to the development and implementation of sustainable management practices and policies.

This Special Issue of Atmosphere encompasses papers that present interdisciplinary concepts, methods, and case studies in the prediction, characterization, monitoring, mapping, communication, risk management, and mitigation of hydro-meteorological hazards and disasters (extreme climate events, wildfires, droughts, floods, mass movements (wet), rainfall erosivity, etc.). All types and sub-types of hazards and disasters associated with the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and land, as well as those induced by climate change and variability, will be considered. The main topics of interest include (but are not limited to) the environmental, socio-economic, and health aspects of hydro-meteorological hazards and disasters in various geographical settings; quantitative and qualitative hazard and risk assessment; multi-hazard risk assessment; multi-vulnerability risk assessment; multi-hazard early-warning systems; advances in hazard and disaster visualization; applications of new techniques in hazard and disaster research; and the spatial–temporal effects on hazard and risk assessment at local to regional scales.

Dr. Tin Lukić
Guest Editor

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Atmosphere is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

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Keywords

  • natural hazards and disasters
  • hydro-meteorological hazards assessment
  • climate change impacts
  • socio-economic impacts
  • vulnerability of weather-dependent economic sectors
  • risk analysis and management
  • land–climate interactions
  • spatial–temporal analysis
  • mapping and visualization
  • early-warning systems

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Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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21 pages, 18787 KiB  
Article
Snow Avalanche Susceptibility Mapping of Transportation Corridors Based on Coupled Certainty Factor and Geodetector Models
by Jie Liu, Xiliang Sun, Qiang Guo, Zhiwei Yang, Bin Wang, Senmu Yao, Haiwei Xie and Changtao Hu
Atmosphere 2024, 15(9), 1096; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15091096 - 9 Sep 2024
Viewed by 574
Abstract
Avalanche susceptibility assessment is a core aspect of regional avalanche early warning and risk analysis and is of great significance for disaster prevention and mitigation on proposed highways. Using sky–ground integration investigation, 83 avalanche points within the G219 Wen Quan to Horgos transportation [...] Read more.
Avalanche susceptibility assessment is a core aspect of regional avalanche early warning and risk analysis and is of great significance for disaster prevention and mitigation on proposed highways. Using sky–ground integration investigation, 83 avalanche points within the G219 Wen Quan to Horgos transportation corridor were identified, and the avalanche hazard susceptibility of the transportation corridor was partitioned using the certainty factor (CF) model and the coupled coefficient of the certainty factor–Geodetector (CF-GD) model. The CF model analysis presented nine elements of natural conditions which influence avalanche development; then, by applying the Geodetector for each of the factors, a weighting coefficient was given depending on its importance for avalanche occurrence. The results demonstrate the following: (1) According to the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve used to verify the accuracy, the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value for the CF-GD coupled model is 0.889, which is better than the value of 0.836 of the CF model’s evaluation accuracy, and the coupled model improves the accuracy by about 6.34% compared with the single model, indicating that the coupled model is more accurate. The results provide avalanche prevention and control recommendations for the G219 Wen Quan to Horgos transportation corridor. (2) The slope orientation, slope gradient, and mean winter temperature gradient are the main factors for avalanche development in the study area. (3) The results were validated based on the AUC values. The AUCs of the CF-GD coupled model and the CF model were 0.889 and 0.836, respectively. The accuracy of the coupled model was improved by about 6.34% compared to the single model, and the coupled CF-GD model was more accurate. The results provide avalanche control recommendations for the G219 Wen Quan to Horgos transportation corridor. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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21 pages, 6759 KiB  
Article
Flash Flood Risk Assessment in the Asir Region, Southwestern Saudi Arabia, Using a Physically-Based Distributed Hydrological Model and GPM IMERG Satellite Rainfall Data
by Abdelrahim Salih and Abdalhaleem Hassablla
Atmosphere 2024, 15(6), 624; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15060624 - 23 May 2024
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1241
Abstract
Floods in southwestern Saudi Arabia, especially in the Asir region, are among the major natural disasters caused by natural and human factors. In this region, flash floods that occur in the Wadi Hail Basin greatly affect human life and activities, damaging property, the [...] Read more.
Floods in southwestern Saudi Arabia, especially in the Asir region, are among the major natural disasters caused by natural and human factors. In this region, flash floods that occur in the Wadi Hail Basin greatly affect human life and activities, damaging property, the built environment, infrastructure, landscapes, and facilities. A previous study carried out for the same basin has effectively revealed zones of flood risk using such an approach. However, the utilization of the HEC–HMS (Hydrologic Engineering Center–Hydrologic Modeling System) model and IMERG data for delineating areas prone to flash floods remain unexplored. In response to this advantage, this work primarily focused on flood generation assessment in the Wadi Hail Basin, one of the major basins in the region that is frequently prone to severe flash flood damage, from a single extreme rainfall event. We employed a fully physical-based, distributed hydrological model run with HEC–HMS software version 4.11 and Integrated Multi-satellite Retrievals of Global Precipitation Measurement (IMERG V.06) data, as well as other geo-environmental variables, to simulate the water flow within the Wadi Basin, and predict flash flood hazard. Discharge from the wadi and its sub-basins was predicted using 1 mm rainfall over an 8-h occurrence time. Significant peak discharge (3.6 m3/s) was found in eastern and southern upstream sub-basins and crossing points, rather than those downstream, due to their high-density drainage network (0.12) and CNs (88.4). Generally, four flood hazard levels were identified in the study basin: ‘low risk’, ‘moderate risk’, ‘high risk’, and ‘very high risk’. It was found that 43.8% of the total area of the Wadi Hail Basin is highly prone to flooding. Furthermore, medium- and low-hazard areas make up 4.5–11.2% of the total area, respectively. We found that the peak discharge value of sub-basin 11 (1.8 m3/s) covers 13.2% of the total Wadi Hail area; so, it poses more flood risk than other Wadi Hail sub-basins. The obtained results demonstrated the usefulness of the methods used to develop useful hydrological information in a region lacking ungagged data. This study will play a useful role in identifying the impact of extreme rainfall events on locations that may be susceptible to flash flooding, which will help authorities to develop flood management strategies, particularly in response to extreme events. The study results have potential and valuable policy implications for planners and decision-makers regarding infrastructural development and ensuring environmental stability. The study recommends further research to understand how flash flood hazards correlate with changes at different land use/cover (LULC) classes. This could refine flash flood hazards results and maximize its effectiveness. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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22 pages, 18241 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment of Freezing–Thawing Hazards in the Daxing’anling Forest Region
by Kezheng Chen and Shuai Huang
Atmosphere 2023, 14(12), 1721; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14121721 - 23 Nov 2023
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1066
Abstract
The Daxing’anling forest region represents a crucial forestry hub in China and confronts some of the nation’s most severe freezing–thawing hazards. This study delved into the temporal trends and spatial distributions of various parameters related to freezing and thawing, including air temperature, ground [...] Read more.
The Daxing’anling forest region represents a crucial forestry hub in China and confronts some of the nation’s most severe freezing–thawing hazards. This study delved into the temporal trends and spatial distributions of various parameters related to freezing and thawing, including air temperature, ground surface temperature, freezing index, thawing index, and freezing–thawing frequency. Furthermore, this study assessed and delineated freezing–thawing hazards within the research area. The findings revealed a rapid increase in air temperature and ground surface temperature within the Daxing’anling forest region yet a lower rate of increase in ground surface temperature compared to Northeast China. Latitude had the strongest influence on mean annual air temperature, mean annual ground surface temperature, air freezing index, air thawing index, ground surface freezing index, ground surface thawing index, air freezing–thawing frequency, and ground surface freezing–thawing frequency, followed by longitude and elevation. Overall, freezing index, and air freezing–thawing frequency increased from south to north, whereas mean annual air temperature, mean annual ground surface temperature, air thawing index, ground surface thawing index, and ground surface freezing–thawing frequency decreased from south to north. The assessment outcomes underscore the importance of closely monitoring freezing–thawing hazards in regions north of the 50th parallel. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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24 pages, 13409 KiB  
Article
A Study on Avalanche-Triggering Factors and Activity Characteristics in Aerxiangou, West Tianshan Mountains, China
by Jie Liu, Tianyi Zhang, Changtao Hu, Bin Wang, Zhiwei Yang, Xiliang Sun and Senmu Yao
Atmosphere 2023, 14(9), 1439; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14091439 - 15 Sep 2023
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1834
Abstract
Through analyzing the triggering factors and activity characteristics of avalanches in Aerxiangou in the Western Tianshan Mountains, the formation and disaster-causing process of avalanches were studied to provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for avalanche disaster prevention. In this paper, based on [...] Read more.
Through analyzing the triggering factors and activity characteristics of avalanches in Aerxiangou in the Western Tianshan Mountains, the formation and disaster-causing process of avalanches were studied to provide theoretical support and a scientific basis for avalanche disaster prevention. In this paper, based on remote sensing interpretation and field investigation, a spatial distribution map of avalanches was established, and the induced and triggering factors in disaster-prone environments were analyzed using the certainty factor model. The degree of influence (E) of the disaster-causing factors on avalanche triggering was quantified, and the main control conditions conducive to avalanche occurrence in different periods were obtained. The RAMMS-avalanche model was used to analyze the activity characteristics at points where multiple avalanches occurred. Research results: (1) The E values of the average temperature, average snowfall, and surface roughness in February were significantly higher than those of other hazard-causing factors, reaching 1.83 and 1.71, respectively, indicating strong control. The E values of the surface cutting degree, average temperature, and average snow depth in March were all higher than 1.8, indicating that these control factors were more prominent than the other factors. In contrast, there were four hazard-causing factors with E values higher than 1.5 in April: the mean temperature, slope, surface roughness, and mean wind speed, with clear control. (2) Under the influence of the different hazard-causing factors, the types of avalanches from February–April mainly included new full-layer avalanches, surface avalanches, and full-layer wet avalanches. (3) In the RAMMS-avalanche simulation test, considering the deposition effect, compared to the previous avalanche movement path, the secondary avalanche flow accumulation area impact range changes were slight, while the movement area within the avalanche path changes was large, as were the different categories of avalanches and their different movement characteristic values. Overall, wet snow avalanches are more hazardous, and the impact force is larger. The new snow avalanches start in a short period, the sliding rate is fast, and the avalanche sliding surface (full-snow surface and face-snow) of the difference is mainly manifested in the differences in the value of the flow height. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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28 pages, 18738 KiB  
Article
Modelling Water Erosion and Mass Movements (Wet) by Using GIS-Based Multi-Hazard Susceptibility Assessment Approaches: A Case Study—Kratovska Reka Catchment (North Macedonia)
by Bojana Aleksova, Tin Lukić, Ivica Milevski, Velibor Spalević and Slobodan B. Marković
Atmosphere 2023, 14(7), 1139; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos14071139 - 12 Jul 2023
Cited by 16 | Viewed by 2872
Abstract
Kratovska Reka is a short (17.3 km) left tributary of Kriva Reka, whose watershed (68.5 km2) is located on the northwestern slopes of the Osogovo Mountains (North Macedonia). Due to the favorable natural conditions and anthropogenic factors, the Kratovska Reka catchment [...] Read more.
Kratovska Reka is a short (17.3 km) left tributary of Kriva Reka, whose watershed (68.5 km2) is located on the northwestern slopes of the Osogovo Mountains (North Macedonia). Due to the favorable natural conditions and anthropogenic factors, the Kratovska Reka catchment is under a high risk of natural hazards, especially water erosion and landslide occurrences. For this reason, the paper presents an approach of modelling of potential erosion and areas susceptible to the above-mentioned hydro-meteorological hazards in the Kratovska River catchment. Firstly, this study analyzed the main geographical features that contribute to intensive erosion processes in the area. Then, using the Gavrilović EPM erosion potential method, an average value of 0.56 was obtained for the erosion coefficient Z, indicating areas prone to high erosion risk. Furthermore, by using landslide susceptibility analysis (LSA), terrains susceptible to landslides were identified. The results shows that 1/3 of the catchment is very susceptible to mass movements in wet conditions (landslides). According to the combined multi-hazard model, 3.13% of the total area of the Kratovska River catchment is both at high risk of landslides and under severe erosion. The Kratovska River catchment is significantly endangered by the excessive water erosion processes (39.86%), especially on the steep valley sides, i.e., terrains that are completely exposed, under sparse vegetation, and open to the effects of distribution/concentration of the rainfall amounts throughout the year. Identifying locations with the highest erosion risk serves as the initial step in defining and implementing appropriate mitigation measures across local and regional scales, thus enhancing overall resilience to environmental challenges. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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Review

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24 pages, 2680 KiB  
Review
Remote Sensing Techniques for Assessing Snow Avalanche Formation Factors and Building Hazard Monitoring Systems
by Natalya Denissova, Serik Nurakynov, Olga Petrova, Daniker Chepashev, Gulzhan Daumova and Alena Yelisseyeva
Atmosphere 2024, 15(11), 1343; https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos15111343 - 9 Nov 2024
Viewed by 661
Abstract
Snow avalanches, one of the most severe natural hazards in mountainous regions, pose significant risks to human lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems. As climate change accelerates shifts in snowfall and temperature patterns, it is increasingly important to improve our ability to monitor and predict [...] Read more.
Snow avalanches, one of the most severe natural hazards in mountainous regions, pose significant risks to human lives, infrastructure, and ecosystems. As climate change accelerates shifts in snowfall and temperature patterns, it is increasingly important to improve our ability to monitor and predict avalanches. This review explores the use of remote sensing technologies in understanding key geomorphological, geobotanical, and meteorological factors that contribute to avalanche formation. The primary objective is to assess how remote sensing can enhance avalanche risk assessment and monitoring systems. A systematic literature review was conducted, focusing on studies published between 2010 and 2025. The analysis involved screening relevant studies on remote sensing, avalanche dynamics, and data processing techniques. Key data sources included satellite platforms such as Sentinel-1, Sentinel-2, TerraSAR-X, and Landsat-8, combined with machine learning, data fusion, and change detection algorithms to process and interpret the data. The review found that remote sensing significantly improves avalanche monitoring by providing continuous, large-scale coverage of snowpack stability and terrain features. Optical and radar imagery enable the detection of crucial parameters like snow cover, slope, and vegetation that influence avalanche risks. However, challenges such as limitations in spatial and temporal resolution and real-time monitoring were identified. Emerging technologies, including microsatellites and hyperspectral imaging, offer potential solutions to these issues. The practical implications of these findings underscore the importance of integrating remote sensing data with ground-based observations for more robust avalanche forecasting. Enhanced real-time monitoring and data fusion techniques will improve disaster management, allowing for quicker response times and more effective policymaking to mitigate risks in avalanche-prone regions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Natural Disasters and Hazards in the Geographical Environment (2nd Edition))
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