What kind of natural disasters is Italy susceptible to?

Question

What kind of natural disasters is Italy susceptible to?

Earthquakes, floods, tornado's? How often?

Answer 1

Due to the volcanic activity in the area, I would say volcanoes, earthquakes and tidal waves for sure.

Answer 2

During 20th Century, Italy faced 6 earthquakes of magnitude over 6.5.

1905 Calabria   M=6.8   557 victims

1908 Calabro Messinese M=7.1   80.000 victims

1915 Avezzano M=6.9  33.000 victims

1930 Irpinia M=6.7 1.404 victims

1976 Friuli M=6.6 965 victims

1980 Irpinia-Basilicata M=6.8 3.000 victims

Luckily today is mandatory to build any building with   earthquake-proof criteria, where risk is high.

Floods: during second half of 20th Century, near one flood every 6-7 years, each one causing dozens of casualties;last one in 1997.

Volcanoes: in Italy there are four volcanoes on surface, plus Campi Flegrei, which is similar to Yellowstone super-volcano; this one and Vesuvius would be the more serious risk if and when they'll erupt for the good. But compared to floods and earthquakes, it happen rarely. Very few casualties during 20th century, and all the latest ones just because they were on the verge of the crater at the wrong time...

Etna is an effusive volcano, lava flow slowly, the mount would not explode; Vulcano and Stromboli are island some kilometers from mainland and Sicily; a big and active volcano (Efesto) was recently locate below the sea, south of Sicily.

Tornadoes rarely hit Europe, they develop on the ocean and move east to west (towards Central.North-America).

Occasionally, some whirlwind.

Landslides and avalanches happen every year on the Alps and also the Apennines (lot less, though); average of 20 casualties, during last 40 years.

Answer 3

Floods.... Especially Rome

Answer 4

i would say earthquakes.

Answer 5

Silvio Berlusconi