Hazard mapping is the process of identifying and visualizing areas that are vulnerable to natural hazards such as floods, hurricanes, earthquakes, and landslides. These maps help governments, businesses, and communities understand where risks are highest and how to prepare for them. In the Caribbean, hazard maps are increasingly used to guide land-use planning, emergency response, and infrastructure development. Hazard maps can be combined with data on population and infrastructure to create risk maps, which show not just where hazards may occur, but also who and what might be affected. This helps prioritize adaptation actions and reduce potential damage.

Hazard maps, together with vulnerability and (flood) risk assessments can for example inform zoning regulations and coastal setbacks.

Feasibility & Local Applicability

Hazard mapping is feasible in the Caribbean, especially with support from regional and international institutions. Projects like PARATUS are working to develop multi-hazard risk assessment frameworks tailored to island contexts. Local meteorological services and research institutions, such as KNMI, are also contributing by producing climate scenarios and hazard forecasts for the Dutch Caribbean. However, successful implementation depends on access to reliable data, technical expertise, and collaboration between stakeholders.

Co-benefits

Hazard maps support better planning and decision-making. They help avoid building in high-risk areas, reduce disaster losses, and improve emergency preparedness. They also contribute to environmental protection by identifying areas where development could harm ecosystems. In tourism-dependent islands like Aruba and Sint Martin, hazard maps can help protect key assets and ensure business continuity.

Equity & Vulnerability Considerations

Hazard mapping can highlight which communities are most at risk, helping ensure that adaptation efforts are inclusive and equitable. Vulnerable groups—such as low-income households or informal settlements—often live in high-risk areas. By identifying these zones, hazard maps can guide targeted interventions and support climate justice. It is important that mapping processes involve local communities and reflect their knowledge and needs.

Costs

Medium | The cost of developing hazard maps varies depending on the scale and complexity. Basic maps can be created using existing data and tools, while advanced systems may require satellite imagery, modeling software, and expert analysis.

Case-studies & Examples

• Accessible climate impact maps for BES Islands, Curacao and Aruba
• Paratus Project: Seismic hazard for the Dutch Caribbean
  

Literature

• Kruiver, P. P., de Zeeuw-van Dalfsen, E., Assink, J., de Vries, H., Doornbos, E., Keizer, I., Brotons Blanes, M., Savelberg, L., van den Homberg, M., Witvliet, B. A., Szarzynski, J., Manzella, I., & Alkema, D. (2024). Multi-hazard Dashboard for Caribbean Islands—First Design.
• In M. A. Erberik, A. Askan, & M. K. Kockar (Eds.), Proceedings of the 7th International Conference on Earthquake Engineering and Seismology - 7ICEES 2023—Volume 2 (pp. 371-385). (Lecture Notes in Civil Engineering; Vol. 401 LNCE). Springer. 
• Lam, N. S. N., Qiang, Y., Arenas, H., Brito, P., & Liu, K. biu. (2015). Mapping and assessing coastal resilience in the Caribbean region. Cartography and Geographic Information Science, 42(4), 315–322.