Natural Disaster
An earthquake is a weak to violent shaking of the ground produced by the sudden movement of rock materials below the earth's surface. The earthquakes originate in tectonic plate boundary. Earthquakes are usually caused when underground rock suddenly breaks and there is rapid motion along a fault. This sudden release of energy causes the seismic waves that make the ground shake.
A heat wave is an extremely dangerous weather condition where temperatures soar well above 90 °F. This high heat combines with high levels of humidity and creates a heat bubble over a certain area for an extended period of time. Heat waves form when high-pressure air settles high in the air and causes hot air to sink down. The hot air sinking creates a bubble that acts like a seal and traps heat near the ground.
Typhoons are a specific category of huge storm system with a spiral or circular pattern of extremely strong winds that can be hundreds of kilometers or miles in diameter. In an area of low air pressure, the winds spiral about. The eye is a region of uninterrupted, clean air that has a diameter of a few tens of kilometers. The evaporation of warm ocean water produces the energy that fuels typhoons. Water vapor condenses into clouds as it rises to the top of the typhoon along the sides of the eye. Typhoons that develop into "super typhoons" are stronger due to warmer ocean water.
Flooding occurs when water overflows onto typically dry land. Floods can occur as a result of torrential rain, incoming waves from the ocean, rapid snowmelt, bursting dams, or levee failure. Because they combine the devastation of a flood with tremendous speed, flash floods are the most dangerous type of flooding. When the capacity of the ground to absorb heavy rainfall is exceeded, flash floods happen. They can also happen when streams or creeks that are usually dry are filled with water or when enough water builds up for streams to overflow their banks, creating quick elevations in the level of the water.
A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. The waves travel out of the area of origin and can be extremely dangerous and damaging when they reach the shore.
A tsunami is a series of extremely long waves caused by a large and sudden displacement of the ocean, usually the result of an earthquake below or near the ocean floor. The waves travel out of the area of origin and can be extremely dangerous and damaging when they reach the shore.
Fire occurs when there is a chemical reaction between oxygen and a fuel source (such as wood, gasoline, or natural gas) that releases heat and light. Fire can be deadly, destroying homes, wildlife habitat and timber, and polluting the air with emissions harmful to human health.
Volcanoes spew hot, dangerous gases, ash, lava, and rock that are powerfully destructive. People have died from volcanic blasts. Volcanic eruptions can result in additional threats to health, such as floods, mudslides, power outages, drinking water contamination, and wildfires. Volcanic eruptions are among the most stunning phenomena in the natural world. Volcanoes erupt because of the way heat moves beneath Earth’s surface.