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Lightning fatalities in Estonia, 1880–1940

Author

Listed:
  • Mait Sepp

    (University of Tartu)

  • Taavi Pae

    (University of Tartu)

  • Evelyn Uuemaa

    (University of Tartu)

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to find out how many people died of lightning strikes in Estonia from 1880 to 1940. Data about lighting victims were mostly searched for in digitalised old newspapers. The journalistic reports were verified with the help of death records available in church registers. In addition, the data were verified using official statistics of the period. A total of 497 potential victims were reported from various sources. Of these, 349 deaths were considered reliable. This means that during the observed 61 years, an average of 5.2 people per year died in the Estonian region. As the number of fatalities may be underestimated, the actual number of victims could have been 7–8 per million inhabitants. The annual average number of fatalities remained practically unchanged during the period, but the share of women and deaths in buildings decreased to some degree. The sex and age structure of the victims corresponds well with the respective divisions of an agrarian society. The correlation analysis showed that the relationship between the number of lightning victims and the number of people living in the parish is high, as is the relationship with the area of the parish. However, the correlation with population density and land use is virtually non-existent.

Suggested Citation

  • Mait Sepp & Taavi Pae & Evelyn Uuemaa, 2021. "Lightning fatalities in Estonia, 1880–1940," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 109(1), pages 255-272, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:109:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1007_s11069-021-04835-1
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-021-04835-1
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Brian Mills & Dan Unrau & Carla Parkinson & Brenda Jones & Jennifer Yessis & Kelsey Spring & Laurel Pentelow, 2008. "Assessment of lightning-related fatality and injury risk in Canada," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 47(2), pages 157-183, November.
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