ABSTRACT
From the destruction of Pompeii in 79 AD to the Lisbon earthquake in 1755, many geophysical disasters have left a historical mark. We use the term to describe the numerous disasters that are induced by a modifi cation of the physical characteristics of the Earth – as opposed to climatic or meteorological conditions. Geophysical disasters are thus not directly related to the climate, contrary to a very common belief expressed in public debates.
