Countries most likely to be hit by natural disasters in 2018

Geologists' predictions for 2018 are not optimistic, especially when it comes to earthquakes. In fact, this may be a record year for earthquakes, as well as other associated phenomena such as tsunamis. Check out the 20 countries at greatest risk of natural disasters this year, according to The Telegraph.

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Earth changes - Before we get to the list of the 20 countries at greatest risk of natural disasters, let us explain why there is a greater risk of earthquakes this year.

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2018 - Let's start off with a somewhat scary statistic: so far in 2018, at least three earthquakes of great magnitude have been recorded.

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2018 - An earthquake with a magnitude of 7.9 struck off the coast of Alaska, one with a magnitude of 7.6 hit Honduras, and another one with a 7.1 magnitude devastated Peru. What's the explanation for these earthquakes?

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Earth rotation - According to geologists, a decrease in the speed at which the planet rotates can explain the increase of these phenomenons, which can double this year.

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Collateral effects - An earthquake is already a traumatic experience that almost always claims victims and leaves a great trail of destruction, but depending on the region, it can still trigger other natural events such as a tsunamis.

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Collateral effects - An earthquake is also capable of awakening volcanoes that can become active and add to the catastrophe.

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The list - Check out the list of 20 countries at highest risk of being struck by natural disasters, according to The Telegraph. The risk percentage of 173 countries was calculated, based on the likelihood of experiencing earthquakes, storms, floods, droughts and sea level rises.

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20. Jamaica - With 12.15%, Jamaica is the 20th country on the list. In addition to the risk of an earthquake (many were recorded in the past), the country is at risk of tsunamis if earthquakes hit neighboring regions.

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19. Chile - This South American country has been hit by several earthquakes throughout its history and occupies the 19th position in the list with 12.28%.

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18. Vietnam - Vietnam ranks 18th with 12.81% in the list of countries most prone to natural disasters.

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17. Guinea-Bissau - Guinea-Bissau ranks 17th in the list of countries at risk, with 13.09%.

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16. Fiji - A magnitude 6.4 earthquake hit Fiji in 2017. The country ranks 16th in the list with 13.56%.

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15. Japan - The country is located in the Ring of Fire of the Pacific Ocean, a region where the likelihood of volcanic activity and earthquakes is high. Japan ranks 15th in the list with 14.1%.

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14. Nicaragua - This country in Central America experienced a tragic and traumatic earthquake in 1972, leaving more than 10,000 dead, according to La Prensa. Nicaragua comes in 14th place in the list with 14.89%.

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13. Mauritius - Earthquakes can have an indirect impact on the Mauritius as tsunamis can be easily triggered in nearby regions. It appears in the list with 15.18%.

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12. Brunei - This Southeast Asian country is located in a high-risk area of earthquakes and occupies the 12th position with 15.58%.

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11. Papua New Guinea - Papua New Guinea is 11th in the list with 15.9%. In February this year, the country was hit by a 7.5 magnitude earthquake.

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10. East Timor - East Timor was hit by a magnitude 6.3 earthquake in 2015. The country appears with 16.37% in 10th position in the risk scale.

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9. El Salvador - Strong earthquakes are part of El Salvador's history. The country appears 9th in the list with 16.85%.

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8. Cambodia - With a percentage of 16.9%, Cambodia is in 8th position.

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7. Costa Rica - Costa Rica appears in 7th position with 16.94%. In November 2017, a magnitude 6.5 earthquake struck the country's coast near the capital San Jose.

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6. Solomon Islands - The Solomon Islands occupy the 6th position with 18.11%. In 2016, a magnitude 6.7 earthquake was recorded in the archipelago.

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5. Bangladesh - Bangladesh is number 5 in the list of countries at high risk of natural disasters with 19.81%.

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4. Guatemala - In February this year, the country suffered a magnitude 5 earthquake, as reported by El País. It comes 4th in the list of most vulnerable countries with 20.88%.

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3. The Philippines - In 2017, a strong earthquake hit the Philippines, placing the country in 3rd place with 27.52%.

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2. Tonga - This Polynesian country located in Oceania comes second in the list with 28.23%.

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1. Vanuatu - Composed of 83 volcanic islands, Vanuatu occupies the top position in the list with 36.43%. The archipelago has already experienced earthquakes in 2016 and 2017.

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Forecast - The forecast may not be the best, but they are just predictions that, of course, may or may not materialize.

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Countries most likely to be hit by natural disasters in 2018 -