Peru

The risk of disasters caused by natural hazards in Peru is linked to its geographical location and the nature of its exposed assets and infrastructure. Peru is located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region exposed to major earthquakes and active volcanoes. In addition, the presence of the Humboldt Current, the proximity of the Equator, the influence of the Amazon region, and Peru’s rugged terrain traversed by the Andes mountains expose Peru to a number of geological hazards, including mudflows, and landslides. Its location in the tropical and subtropical belts on the western coast of the South American continent also exposes Peru to climatological events such as the El Niño phenomenon, which can cause extreme rainfall, floods, droughts, freezes, hailstorms, and strong winds.