Design of a geological multihazard framework on volcanic islands: case study of the Galapagos islands

The Galápagos Islands face recurrent natural hazards such as volcanic eruptions, flooding, and seismic activity due to their location in the Pacific Ring of Fire. Climate change has intensified certain climate-related natural hazards, generating cascading effects that indirectly affect the development of island populations and wildlife. However, natural hazards, stemming from the Earth’s dynamics, also impact on the lifestyle of island inhabitants. Therefore, it is necessary to solve its management by studying the relationship of its Socio-Ecological System (SES) with its geological component. To effectively address this problem, it is essential to propose a methodological design based on historical records of hazards that have affected the archipelago, obtaining a reference diagram for decision-making in the face of multi-hazard events and their possible environmental and socio-ecological effects. The present work seeks to obtain a multi-hazard framework, considering their environmental parameters and socio-ecological hazards. The methodology is planned in different phases: (i) collection of historical data on events that have affected the island; (ii) identification of the hazards triggered by a main event; (iii) description of the SES and its ecosystem services; (iv) elaboration of a multi-hazard framework diagram; (v) determination of environmental and socio-ecological affectations. The importance of this analysis is to provide a tool to entities such as municipalities, Red Cross and Geological Services that allows them to evaluate the existing preventive measures against possible hazards, identifying their cascading effects and minimizing the response time in emerging situations. Therefore, improving risk management preparedness, mitigation and response.