Through the ages natural disaster has had a massive impact on the Icelandic community, like many other communities throughout the world. Historically Icelandic people have had to deal with catastrophes like earthquakes, glacier bursts, snow floods, landslides, and stormy weather just to name a few. In the past, such catastrophe often had quite the enormous impact on the livelihood of the nation but with advanced technology and better economy in the last one hundred years or so, the chance of such repercussions have lessened considerably. When catastrophes happen, they do still have quite massive repercussions, when both material damage and invaluable casualties are taken in consideration (Tómas Jóhannesson, 2001, 1-2). One fundamental point in preparation against natural catastrophe is knowledge in the danger that is present. That’s where knowledge in volcanic zones, volcanic systems, and transom faults can give ideas of dangers from volcanic eruptions and earthquakes, like knowledge in historical data about snow floods and landslides can give ideas of avalanche danger in certain areas. By using research in Icelandic nature, the possibility of natural catastrophe can be assessed and from that directions can be designed about how areas can be used and about construction in those areas. (Tómas Jóhannesson, 2001, 5).
Tómas Jóhannesson. (2001). Natural catastrophe in Iceland (is. Náttúruhamfarir á Íslandi). in María J. Gunnarsdóttir (editor), Energy culture in Iceland: a foundation for strategic planning: lecture and posters in Energy conference October 11th-13th 2001. (238-246) Retrieved from: https://www.vedur.is/gogn/snjoflod/haettumat/orkuthing-2001.pdf.