Colombia
highlands subject to volcanic eruptions; occasional
earthquakes; periodic droughts
volcanism: Galeras (elev. 4,276 m, 14,029 ft) is one of Colombia's
most active volcanoes, having erupted in 2009 and 2010 causing major
evacuations; it has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; Nevado del Ruiz (elev. 5,321
m, 17,453 ft), 129 km (80 mi) west of Bogota, erupted in 1985
producing lahars that killed 23,000 people; the volcano last erupted
in 1991; additionally, after 500 years of dormancy, Nevado del Huila
reawakened in 2007 and has experienced frequent eruptions since
then; other historically active volcanoes include Cumbal, Dona
Juana, Nevado del Tolima, and Purace
Comoros
cyclones possible during rainy season (December to April);
volcanic activity on Grand Comore
volcanism: Karthala (elev. 2,361 m, 7,746 ft) on Grand Comore Island
last erupted in 2007; a 2005 eruption forced thousands of people to
be evacuated and produced a large ash cloud
Congo, Democratic Republic of the
periodic droughts in south; Congo
River floods (seasonal); in the east, in the Great Rift Valley,
there are active volcanoes
volcanism: Nyiragongo (elev. 3,470 m, 11,384 ft), which erupted in
2002 and is experiencing ongoing activity, poses a major threat to
the city of Goma, home to a quarter of a million people; the volcano
produces unusually fast-moving lava, known to travel up to 100 km
(60 mi)/hr; Nyiragongo has been deemed a "Decade Volcano" by the
International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the
Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to its explosive history and
close proximity to human populations; its neighbor, Nyamuragira,
which erupted in 2010, is Africa's most active volcano; Visoke is
the only other historically active volcano
Congo, Republic of the
seasonal flooding
Cook Islands
typhoons (November to March)
Coral Sea Islands
occasional tropical cyclones
Costa Rica
occasional earthquakes, hurricanes along Atlantic coast;
frequent flooding of lowlands at onset of rainy season and
landslides; active volcanoes
volcanism: Arenal (elev. 1,670 m, 5,479 ft), which erupted in 2010,
is the most active volcano in Costa Rica; a 1968 eruption destroyed
the town of Tabacon; Irazu (elev. 3,432 m, 11,260 ft), situated just
east of San Jose, has the potential to spew ash over the capital
city as it did between 1963 and 1965; other historically active
volcanoes include Miravalles, Poas, Rincon de la Vieja, and Turrialba
Cote d'Ivoire
coast has heavy surf and no natural harbors; during
the rainy season torrential flooding is possible
Croatia
destructive earthquakes
Cuba
the east coast is subject to hurricanes from August to November
(in general, the country averages about one hurricane every other
year); droughts are common