Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
Hydrology and Earth System Sciences
HESS
Articles | Volume 28, issue 12
Articles | Volume 28, issue 12
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2603-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Special issue:
https://doi.org/10.5194/hess-28-2603-2024
© Author(s) 2024. This work is distributed under
the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Articles | Volume 28, issue 12
Opinion article
 | 
19 Jun 2024
Opinion article |  | 19 Jun 2024

HESS Opinions: The sword of Damocles of the impossible flood

Alberto Montanari, Bruno Merz, and Günter Blöschl

Viewed

Total article views: 4,562 (including HTML, PDF, and XML)
HTML PDF XML Total Supplement BibTeX EndNote
3,543 836 183 4,562 56 209 302
  • HTML: 3,543
  • PDF: 836
  • XML: 183
  • Total: 4,562
  • Supplement: 56
  • BibTeX: 209
  • EndNote: 302
Views and downloads (calculated since 14 Nov 2023)
Cumulative views and downloads (calculated since 14 Nov 2023)

Viewed (geographical distribution)

Total article views: 4,562 (including HTML, PDF, and XML) Thereof 4,509 with geography defined and 53 with unknown origin.
Country # Views %
  • 1
1
 
 
 
 
Latest update: 06 May 2026
Download
Short summary
Floods often take communities by surprise, as they are often considered virtually impossible yet are an ever-present threat similar to the sword suspended over the head of Damocles in the classical Greek anecdote. We discuss four reasons why extremely large floods carry a risk that is often larger than expected. We provide suggestions for managing the risk of megafloods by calling for a creative exploration of hazard scenarios and communicating the unknown corners of the reality of floods.
Read more
Share
Special issue
HESS Opinions 2023