The Natural Disasters can be devastating as it might result in destruction of places, people and livelihoods. In history, we have observed lot of devastating disasters like Tsunami and Earthquakes which have taken lives of numerous people and destructed the cities. In this blog, we will look at some of these devastating natural disasters around the world.
What is Natural Disaster?
You might be wondering what is natural disaster. A natural disaster is a sudden and severe event caused by natural processes due to geological activities or other various reasons. Nature can be both beautiful and destructive, as evidenced by the many devastating natural disasters that occur around the world. Some natural disaster examples, such as hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions, can cause widespread destruction and take countless lives in a matter of minutes. These events can result in significant loss of life, widespread damage to infrastructure, and long-term economic and social consequences.
Devastating Disasters Around the World – Natural disaster types
Now that you know what is natural disaster, let’s look at some of the natural disaster types are listed below:
Earthquakes
An earthquake is a phenomenon where sudden and violent shaking of the ground happens by the movement of the Earth’s crustal plates. It can cause widespread damage and building collapses and trigger other natural disasters such as tsunamis and landslides. The Chignik Earthquake that took place on July 29, 2021, in Alaska was the biggest earthquake globally since the 2018 Fiji earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.2 and a depth of 43 km.
Tsunamis
A tsunami is a series of outrageous ocean waves that can travel for hundreds of kilometers. They’re usually caused by large-scale disturbances in the ocean, such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or meteor impacts. When tsunamis reach land, they can cause widespread flooding, property damage, and loss of life. Recent tsunami with a height of 3 meters devastated the coast of Banten and Lampung in Indonesia on December 22, 2018, as a result of a submarine landslide following the eruption of the Anak Krakatau volcano.
Hurricanes
A hurricane is a powerful and destructive tropical storm that forms over warm ocean waters. It is characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and large ocean surges that can cause widespread damage and flooding when they make landfall. Harvey, a Category 4 hurricane that happened in 2017, caused severe flooding in Texas and Louisiana by releasing 27 trillion gallons of rain in a period of six days.
Volcanic Eruptions
A volcanic eruption is the release of molten rock (magma), ash, and gas from a volcano. Volcanic eruptions can be explosive, with ash clouds rising high into the atmosphere, or more effusive, with lava flows covering large areas. They can cause widespread damage to nearby communities and infrastructure, disrupt air travel, and trigger other natural disasters such as landslides and tsunamis. To the north of Madinah, over 14,000 km2, is the largest field of the volcano in Saudi Arabia, called Harrat Khaybar (Medina).
Tornadoes
A tornado is a rapid rotating column of air in contact with the Earth’s surface and a cumulonimbus cloud, usually associated with a thunderstorm. Tornadoes are capable of causing widespread damage, destroying buildings, and flipping vehicles. The deadliest tornado in history, the Tri-State Tornado, occurred on March 18, 1925, across Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana. It was a long-lasting F5 tornado stretching 219 miles and lasted 3.5 hours, killing 695 people.
Floods
A flood usually submerges dry land. Floods can be caused through heavy rainfall, glacier melts, dam failures, or high tides. They can cause widespread damage to homes, businesses, and infrastructure and threaten human safety. One of the latest and most devastating floods was in Kerala, India, in August 2018. It was caused by heavy monsoon rains that resulted in causing widespread damage and loss of life.
Wildfire
Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that burn in wildland areas, such as forests, grasslands, and agricultural lands. Natural events like lightning or human activities such as campfires, fireworks, and arson can cause them. Wildfires can cause significant damage to natural and human-made environments and pose a threat to human life and property. One of the latest devastating wildfires occured in California in 2020. It was fueled by hot and dry weather, causing widespread damage and loss.
Conclusion
Natural disasters can be devastating and can have a profound and lasting impact on communities and the environment. There are many natural disasters examples such as earthquakes, hurricanes, floods that can cause widespread damage to communities, the environment, and human life. Therefore, it is important to understand the causes and effects of these events, as well as ways to mitigate their impact through proper planning and preparation.
