Abstract:
Natural disasters and technological accidents are not always singular or isolated events. Adverse events of natural origin are significant threats, affecting the safety of chemical plants that house hazardous materials. Natural disasters have the potential to trigger simultaneous technological failures from single or multiple sources. The specific features of technological accidents triggered by natural events are now indicated as NaTech accidents. The situation is aggravated due to climate change and the increasing vulnerability of our society. Various categories of natural disasters might conduct to complex situations with important differences in the damages produced and this is one of the reasons for limited data available concerning NaTech disasters. Despite a growing body of research and more stringent regulations for the design and operation of industrial activities in areas prone to natural hazards, NaTech accidents remain a threat. This work focuses on the general approach to NaTech hazards screening and assessment procedures and brings together information about natural disasters and technological accidents that have occurred across Tarnavelor Plateau in recent years and their impacts on the environment and society.