Geological Disasters in Newfoundland & Labrador
compiled by David Liverman, Martin Batterson and David Taylor
A geological disaster occurs when natural geological processes impact on our activities, either through loss of life, injury, or economic loss. The Geological Survey has compiled a historical record of geological disasters from a wide range of sources over several years of research. In the course of archival research any natural hazard that might fall in the area of geological phenomena was noted. Purely weather-related phenomena mostly are excluded, but major storms that cause considerable damage and loss of life, especially amongst the fishing community probably are the most significant natural hazard in the Province. Many of the disasters noted are intimately associated with severe weather. Hazards noted include earthquakes, tsunamis, landslides, rockfalls, avalanches and flooding.
This record demonstrates that the province was affected by numerous geological disasters that inflicted a major economic and social cost. In Newfoundland and Labrador at least 175 people have been killed since 1783 in such incidents.
Recent additions
- Flooding, Hant’s Harbour, March 29, 2013
- Flooding, Conception Bay South, March 30, 2013
- Flooding, Holyrood, January 11, 2013
- Earthquake, Labrador, July 8, 2012
- Rockfall, Burin, April 12, 2012
- Rockfall, Signal Hill, Winter, 2012
- Avalanche, Tilt Cove, 1987
- Flooding, Eddies Cove West, May 29, 2011
- Flooding, Hampden, May 3, 2010
- Flooding, St. John’s, February 11, 2012
- Flooding, Fogo Island, September 18 and 19, 1907
- Rockfall, Harbour Breton, January 4, 2012
- Flooding, Trouty, Bonavista Peninsula, October 3, 2011
- Flooding, Trout River, March 7, 2011
- Landslide, TCH near Holyrood, February 26, 2011
- Coastal flooding, Conception Bay South, February 18, 2011
- Coastal flooding, The Beaches (White Bay), January 10, 2011
- Coastal flooding, St. Lunaire-Griquet, 24 Dec 2010
- Coastal flooding, Ferryland, December 24, 2010
- Rockfall, Burin, Dec 22, 2010
- Flooding and landslides, eastern Newfoundland, September 21-22, 2010
- Rockfall, Englee, June 2010
- Rockfall, Hampden, May 31, 2010
- Coastal damage, Greenspond, Bonavista Bay, February 5, 2010
- Coastal damage, The Battery, St. John’s, February 5, 2010
- Avalanche, Labrador, 1933
- Coastal flooding, Ferryland, December 29, 2009
- Coastal damage, The Battery, St. John’s, December 22, 2009
- Landslide, Trout River, June 13, 2009
- Landslide, Trout River, June 6, 2009
- Landslide, Daniel’s Harbour, May 7, 2009
- Avalon/ Burin Peninsulas, earthquake, April 28, 2009
- Avalanche, Lewis Hills, March 22 2009
- Avalanche, Lewis Hills, March 14 2009
- Flooding, Corner Brook, December 10, 2008
- Flooding, St. John’s, November 29, 2008
- Flooding, Gambo, November 20 2008
- Middle Cove, “rogue wave”/ coastal flooding, August 31 2008
- Flooding, Gambo, August 16-18 2008
- Landslide, Daniel’s Harbour, June 18, 2008
- Avalanche, Fogo, Fogo Island, March 13, 2008