Argentina is exposed to several natural hazards such as flooding, seismic activity, volcanic activity, water scarcity, extreme heat, wildfire, and extreme precipitation events. Distribution to physical and social exposure varies significantly throughout the country depending on the region and sources of social vulnerability. Volcanic and landslide related hazards are most prevalent in Western Argentina near the Andes mountain chain and near the south. Seismic risk is highest in the central-western provinces. Risk for extreme heat is highest in the north while water scarcity and risk of drought is concentrated in the center. Riverine flooding of concern in most of the county and coastal flooding is concentrated in the country's southern coast. The Government of Argentina identified flooding, heat waves, and extreme precipitation events as hazards of highest concern due to the overlap of exposure, risk, and vulnerability. Climate change is projected to exacerbate both, the intensity and frequency of these events.
This section provides a summary of key natural hazards and their associated socioeconomic impacts in a given country. And it allows quick evaluation of most vulnerable areas through the spatial comparison of natural hazard data with development data, thereby identifying exposed livelihoods and natural systems.