Hazard Mapping as a Tool for Landslide Prevention in Mediterranean Areas

In the Mediterranean area the degradation of the landscape by landsliding is a serious problem. The climatological conditions, with a strong concentration of rain in the winter period is one of the main causes of landslide activity in these areas. Also the strong tectonic and neoteconic activities have led to a high frequency of mass movements. Hazard mapping is a good tool for the prevention of these landslides because these maps contain information about actually or potentially hazardous areas. The maps should be used in the early stage of a planning activity for future economic development of an area. It is suggested that the different types of hazard maps has to be critically evaluated for certain areas and knowledge and experience on this matter has to be exchanged between different countries.