Natural Hazards in Slovenia

Abstract

Almost all types of natural hazards that are typical for Europe also occur in Slovenia, with the exception of some major events such as volcanic eruptions or ocean-related natural hazards such as large tsunamis. The greatest economic damage is caused by natural hazards affecting agriculture, such as drought, hail, rainstorms, and frosts. Great damage is caused by floods in settlements and by landslides and avalanches in mountain areas. Periodically earthquakes occur, and heat waves are increasingly frequent. Large differences exist among Slovenian regions with respect to the types and intensity of natural hazards. In the Alpine mountains in the west and north of the country, there are frequent rockfalls, landslides, debris flows, and avalanches. Landslides and torrential floods are characteristic for the Alpine hills in central Slovenia. The Dinaric regions in the south of the country are characterized by flooding of poljes. Fires characterize the Mediterranean landscapes in southwestern Slovenia. The Pannonian lowlands in the southeast are subject to flooding, whereas the drier and agriculturally more intensive Pannonian region in the northeast of the country is most often affected by drought. Seismic hazard is high in the western as well as central and southeastern parts of the country.