Belize

     Just like natural disasters, Belize faces a high risk of coastal erosion due to its low-lying geography and the impact of human activity. To begin with, it is crucial to understand what coastal erosion is and what this looks like on Belize's surface.  According to the U.S Climate Resilience Toolkit , Coastal erosion is the natural process by which the land along the coastline is worn away by the sea. This is normally caused by forces like waves, tides, and strong currents, which make it inevitable to occur. Since coastal erosion is a natural process, it will eventually occur on all shorelines but at different times. Things that can affect the process and make it quicker are all based on the geography and weather of the area. For example, the rising sea levels caused by climate change are a prime example of quickening the pace of coastal erosion. So what does this look like for Belize? Belize’s climate and physical geography make it especially vulnerable. Much of...

        Belize is highly vulnerable to extreme weather events due to its location in the western Caribbean, an area frequently impacted by hurricanes and tropical storms. According to the National Meteorological Service of Belize (2023), the country experiences an average of two to three tropical systems each year, with hurricane season lasting from June to November. Low-lying coastal regions and offshore islands are especially at risk of storm surges and flooding. Historical events like Hurricane Hattie in 1961 and Hurricane Iris in 2001 caused catastrophic damage to infrastructure and agriculture, highlighting the nation’s ongoing exposure to severe storms.       Climate change is further increasing Belize’s risk of extreme weather. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2022 ) notes that rising sea levels and higher sea surface temperatures are intensifying storms and flooding across the Caribbean. In Belize, these changes threaten ...

       Nestled on the Caribbean coast of Central America,  Belize  is a country known for its tropical beauty, rich biodiversity, and vibrant culture. But behind its scenic rainforests and coastal views lies a growing concern for  mass wasting , or the downslope movement of soil and rock caused by gravity. Like many countries in the region, Belize faces the challenge of landslides and slope failures, especially during periods of intense rain or storms.      Mass wasting events in Belize are often triggered by  heavy rainfall, hurricanes, and deforestation . During the rainy season, intense storms can saturate the soil, causing slopes to become unstable. The hilly and mountainous regions of southern Belize, particularly around the  Maya Mountains , are the most prone to landslides. In 2022, for example, several small landslides were reported along the Hummingbird Highway after days of continuous rainfall, temporarily blocki...

     Belize does not have any active or dormant volcanoes within its borders, and there is no record of volcanic eruptions in its history. This sets it apart from neighboring countries like Guatemala and El Salvador, which are part of the volcanically active Pacific “Ring of Fire” (Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program, 2023) .      Belize sits near a transform boundary between the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates. These boundaries typically generate earthquakes rather than volcanic eruptions. Due to this, volcanic activity is not a significant concern for Belize, even though eruptions in nearby countries can occasionally impact the wider Central American region through ashfall or regional hazards (USGS, 2023) .      Instead of monitoring for eruptions, Belize focuses its disaster preparedness efforts on other natural hazards, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and flooding. The National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO) lead...

       Belize is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Central America lies south of the United States in North America and is known for its diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage.       Belize is uniquely situated at the intersection of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, which create a transform boundary. At this boundary, the plates slide past one another, a movement that can lead to earthquakes. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS ), Belize experiences relatively low levels of seismic activity compared to its neighbors, but it is still at risk from regional earthquakes that occur along the fault system in nearby Guatemala and Honduras.      Tectonic plates are large, rigid segments of the Earth's outer shell, known as the lithosphere, which is divided into approximately 15 pieces. These plates float and move slightly over the molten la...

         Belize is a small country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. Central America lies south of the United States in North America and is known for its diverse ecosystems and cultural heritage.      Belize is uniquely situated at the intersection of the North American and Caribbean tectonic plates, which create a transform boundary. At this boundary, the plates slide past one another, a movement that can lead to earthquakes. According to the Climate Change Knowledge Portal, significant seismic activity is rare in Belize; the country is nonetheless vulnerable to natural disasters due to its geological setting, including hurricanes and flooding.     Tectonic plates are large, rigid segments of the Earth’s outer shell, known as the lithosphere, which is divided into approximately 15 pieces. These plates float and move slightly over the molten layer beneath, often referred to as the asthenos...