Natural Disasters
http://www.buzzle.com/articles/list-of-natural-disasters.html
A natural disaster is defined as a result or a consequence of a natural hazard, which
has a negative effect on human beings. Though some of the natural disasters are
geological many of them are due to the changes in the climatic conditions. Some of
the natural hazards that have caused natural disasters are landslides, volcanic
eruptions, earthquakes, blizzards and so on. Given below are some of the very
important natural disasters.
1. Avalanche RYAN/RACHAEL
Avalanches kill an average of 200 people each year. The victims of avalanche
incidents are mostly the snow-mobilers, snow-boarders and skiers. Avalanches are
snowballs which roll down the mountainside and shatter like a glass. Avalanches
mostly occur after a heavy snowfall. When the snow piles up quickly, it weakens the
layer beneath the snow and causes a fracture. This loosens the snow on the top layer
causing it to move down the mountain slope at a great speed. A victim caught in an
avalanche seldom escapes. The factors that foster an avalanche include temperature,
storminess, wind and also the steepness of the slope.
2. Blizzard ANNIE
A severe winter storm is known as a blizzard. Strong winds, heavy snowfall and low
temperatures characterize a blizzard. A blizzard that occurred in 1888 killed over 400
people in the north eastern United States. Two hundred ships were wrecked in this
blizzard. This blizzard is known as the Great Blizzard of 1888.
3. Drought TAYA
Drought can be defined as a condition of unusually dry climate within a certain
geographic region due to lack of annual rainfall. Drought is a natural disaster, which is
hazardous to human beings because it results in water shortage, causes damages to
crops, and an increased death rate of livestock and wild animals. Drought also results
in shortage of electricity. Reports show, many people worldwide die during the time
of drought. In drought-prone areas certain measures such as construction of
reservoirs, rain-harvest system and stopping over-grazing could be taken. Drought
causes increase in food prices and unemployment. The incidents of forest fires would
be more at the time of drought. Drought affects the entire human and animal
population of that geographical location.
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4. Earthquake KAASHVI/ANTHONY
An earthquake occurs when the tectonic plates that form the upper crust of the earth
collide or slide against each other. The zone where an earthquake occurs is known as
the fault zone. When the tectonic plates collide against each other, the stress is
released and it sends massive vibrations called seismic waves. The magnitude of an
earthquake is measured using Richter scale.
5. Famine ETHAN
Famine is a hazard that is induced by over-population. You may define famine as the
shortage of food and clean drinking water. Famine leads to human and animal
deaths. The main cause of famine is crop failure due to lack of rain or untimely rain.
Other causes could be natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes and so on.
6. Flood JACYNTA
A flood is a natural disaster as it results in the death of human beings, animals, and
livestock. The crops are destroyed in the flood, which would gradually result in
increased food prices due to food shortages. A flood can be defined as an event that
occurs when the rivers and dams overflow and thereby submerging the all land that
lies near them. In case of a flood situation, drinking water becomes scarce because
water is contaminated. Due to unhygienic conditions many water-borne diseases are
spread.
7. Hailstorm ABIGAIL/BRODIE
You can say, a hailstorm is a precipitation that consists of lumps of ice. Hailstorm is
sometimes called as freezing rain. The size of the ice lumps depends on the strength
of the thunderstorm. It has been observed that a hailstorm in early spring can turn
the green grass white. A hailstorm could destroy the crops and harm the livestock.
8. Heat Wave XAVIER
When the temperatures soar above the normal temperature and if this condition
continues for a prolonged period, then it is known as a heat wave. The temperatures
that are considered as normal in the hotter regions of the globe could be termed as a
heat wave in a cooler geographical location. Severe heat waves could lead to crop
failures, death of human beings due to hypothermia. Domestic and wild animals also
die in a severe heat wave.
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9. Hurricane ASHER/PANO
Hurricanes are strong winds that develop as a result of low-pressure area in the
ocean that later leads to heavy rainfall and thunderstorm. Hurricane is also known as
a tropical cyclone, tropical depression and tropical storm.
10. Ice Storm SCARLETT
A precipitation that occurs at a very cold temperature is known as the winter storm.
An ice storm is a form of winter storm wherein cold and freezing rain is experienced.
Ice storm is a natural disaster, which could cause damages and health hazards to
mankind and livestock.
11. Lahar LIAM
Lahar is one of the volcanic and avalanche hazards. A lahar is a pyroclastic flow which
is formed from the debris of an avalanche, volcano or a rainfall. They move down the
slope of a valley and are hazardous to the people, plants and animals that inhabit
such valley. The reason is a lahar has the force to bring along with it boulders, trees
and so on. A lahar destroys not only the houses and other buildings but also the
crops.
13. Landslide LAUREN
When the stability of a mountain slope is destabilized by factors such as erosion,
earthquake, volcanic eruptions and heavy rainfalls, the natural disaster called
landslide occurs. A landslide is a natural disaster that uproots the boulders, huge
trees and houses. Landslides that occur due to heavy and continuous rainfall are
known as mudslides.
14. Lightning LUCY/LIV
Lightning is a natural phenomenon that occurs when electricity is discharged between
rain clouds and the earth or between two or more rain clouds. Lightning becomes a
disaster when it strikes the earth and causes destruction to mankind, buildings and all
living things.
15. Limnic Eruption TAMIKA
A liminic eruption is one of the natural disasters, which occurs very rarely. A liminic
eruption occurs when the lake water rises due to an eruption within the lake. The
carbon dioxide displaces water that results in loss of wildlife, humans and livestock.
The lakes that erupt are known as limnically-active lakes. One of the features of a
limnically-active lake is carbon dioxide saturated water.
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16. Sandstorm MIA
A sandstorm is also known as the dust storm, which is a strong wind that blows across
the arid and semi-arid regions. Sandstorm causes soil erosion and it occurs due to the
poor management of dry land and over-grazing of vegetation.
17. Tornado RILEY
One of the natural disasters caused by weather conditions is a tornado. A tornado is
also called as a twister. A tornado is a strong and violent wind that swirls in an anticlockwise direction north of the equator and in the clockwise direction south of the
equator. A tornado rotates at a speed of over 450 kilometers per hour.
18. Tsunami HOLLY/CASSIUS
A submarine earthquake or a volcanic explosion in an ocean creates a set of tidal
waves which rises as high as 50 feet or more is a natural disaster known as tsunami.
Tsunami is so powerful, it is capable of killing the residents who reside along the
coastal area.
19. Volcanic Eruption LILLY
Volcano is one of the natural disasters which causes destruction to all living beings
and plant life around it. When a volcano erupts it sprays out hot gases and molten
rocks. There are around 2,500 active volcanoes worldwide.
20. Wildfire CHARLI/KATY
Forest fire is also known as the wildfire or a bush fire is a natural disaster caused due
to volcanic eruption, arson or human carelessness. A wildfire could be a threat to
wildlife and the human habitation close to the forest. A forest fire could also produce
an ember attack where the floating embers could set fire to the buildings close to the
forest.
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