Alexandra G. Geol9

       The two most deadly natural hazards to occur in China are floods and earthquakes. These are ranked at the top of the list due to their frequency, cost in damages/recovery, threat to life and economic stability. Out of all the countries in Asia, China has the most earthquakes and overall seismic activity, particularly in the Southwest region. The convergent plate boundaries collide with the Indian plate at the Himalayan mountains and the Philippine Sea plate off the Taiwanese coast. On average, 459 earthquakes of a 4.0 magnitude or higher occur yearly in China with a total of 591 (4.1 magnitude or higher) earthquakes happening in 2024. The earthquakes ruin infrastructure, cause power outages, loss of life and also contribute to recurring floods.      China is hit by flooding mostly along their major river systems that overflow during heavy rainfall and monsoon weather, rapid urbanization and deforestation. It affects both rural and urban areas, d...

      China experiences several coastal problems due to rapid development, environmental stress, and climate change. These issues can make the country susceptible to long-term damage on the Eastern coastline. Coastal erosion in cities like Shanghai are losing land because of beaches and wetlands shrinking. The variables that cause coastal erosion in China include extreme weather, climate change, and human development activities such as building the Three Gorges Dam and sand mining. While the land shrinks back, sea levels are rising from local land subsidence and climate change.  The coastal sea level in China rose at an annual rate of 3.9 mm during 1993–2020 and reached its third highest level in 2020. Amongst one of China's most dangerous coastal hazards is typhoons and storm surge risks. On the Southeastern coastline, Fujian and Guangdong provinces are frequently hit by powerful typhoons which results in coastal flooding and economic loss from infrastructure d...