Natural Hazard Mitigation Research Articles

Geotechnical Attributes of Active Sediments and its Prospective in Hazards Susceptibility and Mitigation Measures: A Study on Soils from Leh Valley, Ladakh Himalaya, India

In the present study, attempts have been made to evaluate the geotechnical characteristics of Quaternary sediments from high altitude Ladakh Himalaya to demarcate the active sediment (soil) for its bearing on natural hazards susceptibility and mitigation measures. The experimental works have been carried out on collected sediments (soils) from different locations and depths during year 2014 for determination of grain size sensitive parameters and geotechnical attributes as per American Society for Testing and Materials standard and empirical relationships. The results reveal that the majority of uniformly graded sediments (soils) of size 0.02–2.0 mm exhibit wide range of shear, cohesions (c) and angle of internal frictions may be due to difference in their bulk and dry densities, void ratios, liquid limit, plastic limit and liquid index. Thus, the sediments of Leh Valley can be classified in normal sediment (soil) unit and normally active sediment (soil) unit. The normally active unit exhibits lower shear strengths and cohesions in comparison to normal unit due to higher liquid and plastic limits of sediment subjected to temperature sensitive freezing and thawing actions. The active sediment (soil) unit has been found more prone to slope instabilities, differential settlements and mass flow hazards, hence requires special care during developments and mitigation measures.

Decay extent assessment of small-diameter silver fir logs degraded in natural conditions in the French Northern Alps using NIRS and vibration resonance methods

Bioengineering structures devoted to natural hazard mitigation often require the implementation of vegetation and inert materials, mainly timber logs. The latter are intended to ensure the protective function of the structure until the crop development of the plants is sufficient. The structural use of raw wood, i.e. without wood preservative treatment, in severe decay conditions is specific to the bioengineering structures. It raises practical and scientific issues regarding wood-decay assessment for structure management as well as for studies related to design improvements. In this study, two methods assessing the level of decay – the near infra-red spectroscopy (NIRS) method and the vibration resonance method (VRM) – developed on logs degraded in semi-controlled conditions were applied and compared. These methods are based on a mechanical definition of the level of decay by means of the normalized loss in the modulus of elasticity between intact and decayed states. The level of decay of 60 small-diameter silver fir logs degraded in natural conditions in the French Northern Alps was assessed using both methods. The samples had been put on the ground in four different sites near alpine torrents. The degradation process was assumed to take place in aerobic conditions. Prior to assessment of the level of decay, the applicability of the methods was verified. The level of decay was based on a classification varying from class 1 for the least decayed logs to class 4. Both methods allowed assessing the effects of the microbial activity on the logs. The levels of decay found were mainly classes 1 and 2 in both cases but to various extents depending on the method. Finally, the NIRS method was found to be less reliable than VRM. VRM can be used to assess the level of decay of logs decayed in natural conditions.

Resilience theory in archaeological practice – An annotated review

During the last decades, the importance of deriving analogies about current challenges, such as the mitigation of natural hazards, from archaeological case studies was frequently highlighted. In this context, Resilience Theory (RT) has become a potent tool to study socio-ecological systems and, thus, meet these public demands. RT facilitates how to conceptualise the interweaving of behavioural adaptations (e.g., mobility, economy, and social systems) with their external environmental setting. The Adaptive Cycle Model has emerged as a (if not the) key approach in using RT in empirical case studies and its application covers today the entire spatial and temporal field of prehistoric archaeology. However, several challenges remain for research in the future that are summarized in this paper, in particular the lack of a coherent terminology as well as the challenging task of defining the parameters of connectedness and potential are emphasized. Thereby, we show the current pitfalls for approaching the Adaptive Cycle Model and draft the future potential for developing more elaborated systems for classifying resilience in past societies.

Changes of precipitation extremes in arid Central Asia

Despite growing evidence of increasing precipitation extremes around the world, research into extreme precipitation events in Central Asia (CA) is still scarce. In this study, based on daily precipitation records from 22 meteorological stations, several methods were used to detect the spatial-temporal distribution, abrupt change and return periods for six extreme precipitation indices as well as the total annual precipitation during 1938–2005 in CA. The results show that all precipitation indices experienced increasing trend except for annual maximum number of consecutive dry days (CDD), which had a significant decreasing trend. Abrupt changes for most of precipitation indices mainly occurred around 1957 during 1938–2005. Return periods for all seven precipitation indices concentrated in 10-year period. Meanwhile, all precipitation indices showed spatial diversity and heterogeneity, and the entire area tended to be wetter and experienced fewer dry conditions. Understanding these changes of precipitation extremes in CA will definitely benefit to water resource management, natural hazard prevention and mitigation, and reliable future projections in this region.

Technological innovation, social learning and natural hazard mitigation: evidence on earthquake fatalities

AbstractHow do people learn from disasters? Do they constantly develop and accumulate new knowledge that enables them to address recurrent disaster risks? This paper investigates whether social learning and, in particular, the development of earthquake-mitigating technologies reduces earthquake-induced fatalities. Combining patent data with a global cross-section of 894 earthquakes that occurred between 1980 and 2010, we find that countries with more disaster-mitigating innovations and more earthquake exposure in the past suffer fewer fatalities. This study is the first to empirically examine the role of technological change and social learning in disaster mitigation. It sheds light on knowledge as a key element of adaptive capacity, and suggests the importance of incorporating technology development into a long-term hazard mitigation and adaptation policy. The paper also contributes to the empirical disaster literature as the first to address the problem of missing data on disaster losses.

Daily precipitation estimation through different microwave sensors: Verification study over Italy

The accurate estimation of rainfall from remote sensing is of paramount importance for many applications as, for instance, the mitigation of natural hazards like floods, droughts, and landslides. Traditionally, microwave observations in the frequency between 10 and 183GHz are used for estimating rainfall based on the direct interaction of radiation with the hydrometeors within precipitating clouds in a so-called top-down approach. Recently, a bottom-up approach was proposed that uses satellite soil moisture products derived from microwave observations (<10GHz) for the estimation of accumulated rainfall amounts. The integration of the bottom-up and top-down approaches has large potential for providing high accurate rainfall estimates exploiting their different and complementary nature.In this study, we perform a long-term (3years) assessment of different satellite rainfall products exploiting the full range of microwave frequencies over Italy. Specifically, the integration of two top-down algorithms (CDRD, Cloud Dynamics and Radiation Database, and PNPR, Passive microwave Neural network Precipitation Retrieval) for estimating rainfall from conically and cross-track scanning radiometers, and one bottom-up algorithm (SM2RAIN) applied to the Advanced SCATterometer soil moisture product is carried out. The performances of the products, individually and merged together, are assessed at daily time scale. The integration of top-down and bottom-up approaches provides the highest performance both in terms of continuous and categorical scores (i.e., median correlation coefficient and root mean square error values equal to 0.71 and 6.62mm, respectively). In such a combination, the limitations of the two approaches are compensated allowing a better estimation of ground accumulated rainfall through SM2RAIN while, overcoming the limitations of rainfall estimation for intense events during wet conditions through CDRD-PNPR product. The accuracy and the reliability of the merged product open new possibilities for their testing in hydrological applications, such as the monitoring and prediction of floods and droughts over large areas, including regions where ground-based measurements are sparse or not available.

The protective effect of forests against rockfalls across the French Alps: Influence of forest diversity

The role of forests in the mitigation of natural hazards has been repeatedly demonstrated. The protective effect of mountain forests against rockfalls has especially been pointed out because it can constitute a natural and cost-effective protection measure in many situations. However, this particular ecosystem service may substantially differ according to the structure and the composition of the forest. Until now, the rockfall protection capability has always been studied at a local scale with only few forest types. Moreover, the comparison of the protective effect of the different forest types studied remains difficult because different methods and indicators were used. For the same reasons, it is not possible to draw conclusions about the influence of biological and structural diversities on the protection capabilities of forests from former works.The aims of this study were (1) to quantitatively assess the protective effect of forests at the French Alps scale and build a classification based on the protection capability, (2) to compare the protective effect of the different forest types present in the French Alps and (3) to analyze the relations between the protective effect and the forest diversity in terms of stand structure and tree composition. For this purpose, the model Rockyfor3D was used to simulate the propagation of rocks on 3886 different forest plots spread over the whole French Alps. Quantitative indicators characterizing the protective effect of each forest plot were then calculated from the simulation results and used to perform the different analyses.Our results emphasized the importance of taking into account the length of forest in the maximum slope direction for an accurate assessment of the protective effect. Thus, the minimum length of forest to get a reduction of 99% of the rockfall hazard was chosen as indicator to compare protective effect between forests. Using this indicator, half of the French Alpine forests presented a high level of protection after a short forested slope (190m). A decreasing gradient in the protection capabilities was observed from forest types dominated by broadleaved species to those dominated by conifer species. Moreover, considering an equivalent proportion of conifers, stands dominated by shade-tolerant tree species showed better ability to reduce rockfall hazard. Finally, our study highlighted that a high biodiversity and a structural heterogeneity within the forest have a positive effect on the reduction of rockfalls hazard.

Improving Decision Making about Natural Disaster Mitigation Funding in Australia—A Framework

Economic losses from natural disasters pose significant challenges to communities and to the insurance industry. Natural disaster mitigation aims to reduce the threat to people and assets from natural perils. Good decisions relating to hazard risk mitigation require judgments both about the scientific and financial issues involved, i.e., the efficacy of some intervention, and the ethical or value principles to adopt in allocating resources. A framework for selecting a set of mitigation options within a limited budget is developed. Project selection about natural disaster mitigation options needs to trade off benefits offered by alternative investments (e.g., fatalities and injuries avoided, potential property and infrastructure losses prevented, safety concerns of citizens, etc.) against the costs of investment. Such costs include capital and on-going operational costs, as well as intangible costs, such as the impact of the project on the visual landscape or the loss of societal cohesion in the event of the relocation of part of a community. Furthermore, dollar costs of any potential project will need to be defined within some prescribed budget and time frame. Taking all of these factors into account, this paper develops a framework for good natural hazard mitigation decision making and selection.

Applications of geoinformatics for the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards

Applications of geoinformatics for the prevention and mitigation of natural hazards

Vibration Reduction of Wind Turbines Using Tuned Liquid Column Damper Using Stochastic Analysis

Passive energy dissipation systems encompass a range of materials and devices for enhancing damping. They can be used both for natural hazard mitigation and for rehabilitation of aging or deficient structures. Among the current passive energy dissipation systems, tuned liquid column damper (TLCD), a class of passive control that utilizes liquid in a “U” shape reservoir to control structural vibration of the primary system, has been widely researched in a variety of applications. This paper focus in TLCD application for wind turbines presenting the mathematical model as well as the methods used to overcome the nonlinearity embedded in the system. Optimization methods are used to determine optimum parameters of the system. Additionally, a comparative analysis is done considering the equivalent linearized system and the nonlinear system under random excitation with the goal of compare the nonlinear model with the linear equivalent and investigated the effectiveness of the TLCD. The results are shown using two types of random excitation, a white noise and a first order filters spectrum, the latter presents more satisfactory results since the excitation spectrum is physically more realistic than white noise spectrum model. The results indicate that TLCDs at optimal tuning can significantly dissipate energy of the primary structure between 3 to 11%.

Onboard Radar Processor Development for Rapid Response to Natural Hazards

The unique capabilities of imaging radar to penetrate cloud cover and collect data in darkness over large areas at high resolution makes it a key information provider for the management and mitigation of natural and human-induced hazards. Researchers have demonstrated the use of UAVSAR data to determine flood extent, forest fire extent, lava flow, and landslide. Data latency of at most 2–3 h is required for the radar data to be of use to the disaster responders. We have developed a UAVSAR on-board processor for real time and autonomous operations that has high fidelity and accuracy to enable timely generation of polarimetric and interferometric data products for rapid response applications. This on-board processor design provides a space-qualification path for technology infusion into future space missions in a high-radiation environment with modest power and weight allocations. The processor employs a hybrid architecture where computations are divided between field-programmable gate arrays, which are better suited to rapid, repetitious computations, and a microprocessor with a floating-point coprocessor that is better suited to the less frequent and irregular computations. Prior to implementing phase preserving processor algorithms in FPGA code, we developed a bit-true processor model in MATLAB that is modularized and parameterized for ease of testing and the ability to tradeoff processor design with performance. The on-board processor has been demonstrated on UAVSAR flights.

Contemporary human uses of tropical forested watersheds and riparian corridors: Ecosystem services and hazard mitigation, with examples from Panama, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela

Humans have long favored settlement along rivers for access to water for drinking and agriculture, transport corridors, and food sources. Settlement in or near montane tropical (and other) forests include additional benefits such as food and wood supply, and high quality water derived from watersheds where upstream human disturbance and environmental degradation are generally low. However, the advantages afforded by these floodplain and montane settings are offset by episodic risks to communities located there as floods, landslides, wildfires, volcanoes, (and tsunamis for coastal communities), cause loss of life and damage or destroy infrastructure and crops. A basic understanding of rainfall and flood patterns, as well as hillslope stability, by residents in these environments mitigates these risks. Modern global urbanization, particularly in regions of rapid economic growth, has resulted in much of this “organic” knowledge being lost, as megacities encroach on floodplains and mountain fronts. Moreover, the most likely occupants of these hazardous locations are often marginalized economically, which increases their vulnerability. Effective stewardship of river floodplains and upstream montane forests maintains a key ecosystem service, which in addition to the well-described services, (i.e. water, food, hydroelectric energy, wood products, carbon sequestration, maintenance of biodiversity, etc.) is the mitigation of natural hazards and vulnerability.

GIS based frequency ratio and index of entropy models to landslide susceptibility mapping (Daguan, China)

The main goal of this study is to produce landslide susceptibility maps by frequency ratio (FR) and index of entropy (IoE) models based on geographic information system (GIS) for the Daguan county of Yunnan province, China. At first, landslide locations were identified by earlier reports and aerial photographs as well as by carrying out field surveys, and a total of 194 landside locations were constructed from various sources. Then the landslide inventory map was randomly split into a training dataset 70 % (136 landslide locations) for training the FR and IoE models and the remaining 30 % (58 landslides locations) were used for validation purposes. Fifteen landslide conditioning factors were constructed in GIS. The susceptibility maps produced using FR and IoE models were divided into five different susceptibility classes such as very low, low, moderate, high, and very high. Finally, the validation of landslide susceptibility maps was carried out based on training dataset and the validation data using the area under the curve (AUC) method. The success rate curve showed that the area under the curve for FR and IoE models were 0.8191 and 0.8109 accuracy, respectively. Similarly, the validation result showed that the prediction accuracy of the two models was 81.75 % for FR model and 81.44 % for IoE model, respectively. The maps produced by both models exhibits better satisfactory properties. The landslide susceptibility maps may be useful for planning purposes for environmental protection and natural hazard mitigation studies in the near future.

On a Possible Unified Scaling Law for Volcanic Eruption Durations.

Volcanoes constitute dissipative systems with many degrees of freedom. Their eruptions are the result of complex processes that involve interacting chemical-physical systems. At present, due to the complexity of involved phenomena and to the lack of precise measurements, both analytical and numerical models are unable to simultaneously include the main processes involved in eruptions thus making forecasts of volcanic dynamics rather unreliable. On the other hand, accurate forecasts of some eruption parameters, such as the duration, could be a key factor in natural hazard estimation and mitigation. Analyzing a large database with most of all the known volcanic eruptions, we have determined that the duration of eruptions seems to be described by a universal distribution which characterizes eruption duration dynamics. In particular, this paper presents a plausible global power-law distribution of durations of volcanic eruptions that holds worldwide for different volcanic environments. We also introduce a new, simple and realistic pipe model that can follow the same found empirical distribution. Since the proposed model belongs to the family of the self-organized systems it may support the hypothesis that simple mechanisms can lead naturally to the emergent complexity in volcanic behaviour.

High capacity variable friction damper based on band brake technology

Implementation of high performance controllable damping devices can ameliorate cost-effectiveness of structural systems for mitigation of natural hazards. However, the applications of these damping systems are limited due to a lack of (1) mechanical robustness; (2) electrical reliability; and (3) large resisting force capability. To broaden the implementation of modern damping systems, a novel semi-active damping device is proposed. The device, termed Banded Rotary Friction Device (BRFD), has enhanced applicability compared to other proposed damping systems due to its cost-effectiveness, high damping performance, mechanical robustness, and technological simplicity. Its mechanical principle is based on a band brake, which results in a high amplification of the applied force while enabling a variable control force. The theoretical model of the BRFD is presented and experimentally verified by subjecting a prototype to various harmonic loads. Results show that the prototype BRFD is capable of a maximum force of 45kN (10kips) using only a 267N (60lb) actuation force, therefore providing a mechanical advantage of 169. A 3-stage dynamic model previously developed by the authors can successfully be used to model the dynamic behavior of the BRFD.

Flood damage data analysis: towards an improvement of data quality and usability

The European project IDEA (Improving Damage assessments to Enhance cost-benefit Analyses) is a response to the limited reliability of data currently used to support cost-benefit analyses for natural hazards mitigation; in particular, an improvement of both damage data quality and procedures to collect and manage them is pursued by the project. A comprehensive understanding of (i) how disaster data are presently collected and stored, (ii) main reasons for data collection, (iii) possible uses of collected data, and (iv) stakeholders involved in data collection and management is the first step to improve the present quality, reliability and usability of data. To this aim, several case studies were analysed in the project referring to different hazards, countries and spatial scale. The analysis brought, for each case study, to (i) the characterisation of data owners, data collectors, and data users, and (ii) a critical analysis of damage data in terms of their comprehensiveness in reproducing observed impacts, data sources, formats and level of detail. This paper discusses results obtained for the floods that hit the Umbria Region (Central Italy) in 2012 and 2013, as emblematic of the different case studies analysed in the project. First, the methodological approach followed in the analysis is disclosed. Then, results are presented. Finally, their implication for the project objective are discussed.

Comparing post-event and pre-event damage assessment: Information gaps and lessons learnt

Post event damage and needs assessment can supply fundamental information to feed risk models, i.e. data to define, calibrate and validate risk models. The lack or low quality of information regarding damage and losses collected in the aftermath of events conditions the quality of pre-event scenarios, thus affecting also the significance and the relevance of cost benefit analyses on mitigation measures to reduce the severity and magnitude of damage that are expected. Data collected in the aftermath of disasters are usually not suitable to this aim. Mostly, data on damage explicative variables (i.e. hazard, exposure, vulnerability and mitigation actions) are missing; damage data themselves can be also unsuitable as they refer to different spatial or temporal scales than those at which damage models work. In such a context, this paper presents results from the European Project IDEA (Improving Damage assessments to Enhance cost-benefit Analyses). The project is a response to the very limited reliability of data currently used to support cost-benefit analyses for natural hazards mitigation. The main objective of IDEA is an improvement of both damage data quality and procedures to collect and manage them. The paper focus in detail on the investigation of how improved damage data can better support the risk-modelling process. To this aim, the flood hitting the Umbria Region (Italy) in 2012 and the earthquake event that stuck the municipality of Lorca (Spain) in 2011 were investigated. Observed damages and damage predictions based on data that were available before the disaster have been compared. The comparison had several objectives: -to verify the reliability of damage models that are currently used for damage estimation and that are proposed in literature; -to identify data gaps in pre-event assessment that could be narrowed by better damage data. This is relevant for showing what data are currently missing in risk modelling but could be obtained at reasonable costs; -to identify sectors for which pre-event damage assessment cannot be carried out or is carried out at the expense of large uncertainties and/or roughness; -to show how improved risk modelling could better feed cost benefit analyses of pre-event mitigation measures.

Preface: Prevention and mitigation of natural and anthoropogenic hazards due to land subsidence

An awareness of problems related to land subsidence and its anthropogenic causes has been growing worldwide since the second half of the Twentieth century. The problem of land subsidence was first included by the UNESCO program of the International Hydrological Decade (IHD), 1965– 74. In 1969 UNESCO convened the 1st International Symposium on Land Subsidence in Tokyo. In 1975 land subsidence was retained under the framework of the International Hydrological Program (IHP) as subproject 8.4 “Investigation of Land Subsidence due to Groundwater Exploitation”, and UNESCO IHP formally codified the Working Group on Land Subsidence. In collaboration with UNESCO IHP, IAHS, and other scientific organizations, the UNESCEO– IHP Working Group on Land Subsidence convened eight more International Symposia on Land Subsidence in different countries in Asia, Europe and North America: Anaheim, USA (1976); Venice, Italy (1984); Houston, USA (1991); The Hague, Netherlands (1995); Ravenna, Italy (2000); Shanghai, China (2005); Queretaro, Mexico (2010); and Nagoya, Japan (2015). Though subsidence is a global phenomenon, the consequences and their remediation generally are local. Land subsidence has become an important area of research in Japan, and globally. The proceedings of the Ninth International Symposium on Land Subsidence (NISOLS, Nagoya, 2015) represents a body of high quality and globally relevant scientific and technical information for scientists, engineers, and other stakeholders concerned about land subsidence and the associated hazards. The papers in this volume cover international science and social issues related to land subsidence and the role of natural resources development. The main topics addressed by NISOLS includes Land Subsidence processes related to (1) Aquifer-system compaction and subsidence caused by groundwater withdrawal, (2) Risk management of subsidence related hazards, (3) Anthropogenic land subsidence in coastal regions, (4) Land subsidence related to soil oxidation, (5) Anthropogenic uplift (CO2-sequestration included), (6) Land subsidence and liquefaction, due to the East Japan Great Earthquake of March 11, 2011, (7) Ground failure (fracturing, fault activation, fissuring), (8) Land surface displacement, measuring and monitoring, (9) Numerical modelling, (10) Social, cultural and economic influence of land subsidence, (11) Water management strategies, (12) Subsurface deformation due to shale gas production, (13) Settlements and geotechnical construction activities and (14) Seismic activity, triggered by fluid extraction and injections. Many presenters describe the development of new techniques for monitoring, analysis, interpretation and prediction of subsidence and (or) related fracturing processes – an emphasis of NISOLS. This symposium and the proceedings are of particular interest for Japan because of the close relation between land subsidence, ground fracturing, and groundwater use and management. These phenomena provoke widespread problems in the rapidly growing urbanized areas of central Japan. The analysis of these phenomena requires a multidisciplinary approach to improve understanding of the triggering factors, failure modes, and propagation processes of fracturing. Resolution of the often conflicting socio-economic demands placed on our natural resources and the desires to protect and preserve our natural resources is an inevitable condition for the sustainable development in developed areas. To face this challenge in Japan and elsewhere we need to improve our understanding of Land Subsidence processes. An effort was made in NISOLS to integrate a broad spectrum of the subsidence-interest community; three peripheral technical meetings were convened to focus on subsidence-related topics: (1) Workshop on Subsidence Monitoring, (2) Work-

Bridging aero-fracture evolution with the characteristics of the acoustic emissions in a porous medium

The characterization and understanding of rock deformation processes due to fluid flow is a challenging problem with numerous applications. The signature of this problem can be found in Earth Science and Physics, notably with applications in natural hazard understanding, mitigation or forecast (e.g. earthquakes, landslides with hydrological control, volcanic eruptions), or in industrial applications such as hydraulic-fracturing, steam-assisted gravity drainage, CO₂ sequestration operations or soil remediation. Here we investigate the link between the visual deformation and the mechanical wave signals generated due to fluid injection into porous media. In a rectangular Hele-Shaw Cell, side air injection causes burst movement and compaction of grains along with channeling (creation of high permeability channels empty of grains). During the initial compaction and emergence of the main channel, the hydraulic fracturing in the medium generates a large non-impulsive low frequency signal in the frequency range 100 Hz - 10 kHz. When the channel network is established, the relaxation of the surrounding medium causes impulsive aftershock-like events, with high frequency (above 10 kHz) acoustic emissions, the rate of which follows an Omori Law. These signals and observations are comparable to seismicity induced by fluid injection. Compared to the data obtained during hydraulic fracturing operations, low frequency seismicity with evolving spectral characteristics have also been observed. An Omori-like decay of microearthquake rates is also often observed after injection shut-in, with a similar exponent p≃0.5 as observed here, where the decay rate of aftershock follows a scaling law dN/dt ∝(t-t₀ )-p . The physical basis for this modified Omori law is explained by pore pressure diffusion affecting the stress relaxation.

Ecosystem approach for natural hazard mitigation of volcanic tephra in Iceland: building resilience and sustainability

Living in Iceland, a highly volcanically active island with a historical eruption frequency of 20–25 events per 100 years, involves risks from lava, pyroclastic flows, tephra-fall, and floods from glacier/snow-covered volcanoes. Volcanic eruptions can have detrimental effects on human health, societies, and ecosystems. Eruptions in 2010–2011 proved the value of pre-event planning for some natural hazards. An additional focus is needed on pre-disaster mitigation responses for the effects of tephra-fall on vegetation: As outlined under the UNISDR Hyogo/Sendai Framework for Action, healthy ecosystems and environmental management are key actions in disaster risk reduction (DRR). Iceland’s most serious environmental problem is the degraded state of common rangeland in the highlands, where tephra-fall has been catastrophic. Tephra (airborne volcanic material) affects hydrology, air quality, and ecosystems by direct burial or post-eruptive transport, extending its influence far beyond the initial eruption area. Resilience to tephra-related disturbances depends on an ecosystem’s overall health. Tall, vigorous vegetation has greater endurance; its initial survival is more likely, while sheltering minimizes secondary transport and hastens recovery. Areas that are sparsely vegetated and already stressed are more vulnerable; there, tephra remains unstable and can cause further damage. Reclaiming vulnerable land and building healthy ecosystems, as represented by the Hekluskogar project, improve the ability of these areas to endure tephra-fall, increasing their resilience and reducing the associated costs to society. Successful DRR for tephra-fall, through the revegetation of degraded land, will require effective governance, multi-sector coordination, and the alignment of policies on land use, agriculture, natural resource management, and climate change mitigation.