Modern societies rely on a wide range of interconnected industrial infrastructures - petrochemical plants, chemical industries, transport networks, energy systems - whose activities generate significant technological risks during the production, storage, and transport of hazardous materials. Major accidents such as Deepwater Horizon (2010), Rouen (2019), and Beirut (2020) have shown how deficiencies in risk management can produce severe, long-lasting consequences for human health, ecosystems, and economies. Reducing these risks requires a solid understanding of accidental phenomena and of the combinations of events that can escalate into major disasters.
This open-access book provides an integrated and accessible overview of risk analysis methods and presents the scientific bases for understanding some of the most critical hazardous phenomena, including explosions, fires, and marine pollution. It also draws attention to emerging challenges, such as NaTech scenarios, the growing influence of climate change on industrial vulnerability, and the transformations brought by the energy transition-illustrated by the rise of new fuels such as ammonia. By combining technical insights and broader systemic perspectives, the book encourages readers to anticipate evolving risks and contribute to more resilient, adaptive, and sustainable societies.
