Natural Disasters:
Like the everything of this world, nature is also dual. Sometimes, it is calm, beautiful and placid but sometimes, it becomes scary, unpleasant and disastrous also. The horrifying and irregular forms of nature are called natural disasters. In simple words, natural disasters are the extreme and sudden events which can cause serious damage and deaths.
Some Common Natural Disasters:Â Â Â
1. Earthquakes:Â
The most common and seen form of natural disaster is earthquake. Earthquake means the vigorous shaking or vibrating of earth’s surface. It is caused by the movements of tectonic plates along fault lines present in the earth’s crust. These movements result the release of strain energy in the form of seismic waves that beam out outward from hypocenter of the earth. The intensity and magnitude of earthquakes are measured by Mercalli scale and Richter scale respectively.
Earthquakes can cause serious effects such as ground shaking, tsunamis, landslides, land rupture, fissures, slid liquefaction, avalanches, fires and dam ruptures. The level of destruction and damage of an earthquake directly depends upon its magnitude. Experts consider a magnitude of 7-9 more severe and hazardous.
2. Floods:Â
Flood is another natural disaster which is very common in Asia. Flood means the overflow of water from water bodies onto the dry land. Heavy rainfalls, long period of rains, melting of snow (glaciers), dam leakage and when ocean waves come on the shore can result into floods.
Floods can cause loss of lives, damage buildings and soil erosion etc.
3. Volcanoes:Â
Volcanoes are the rupture of earth’s crust especially from the peak of mountains which allow hot lava, ash and gases to escape. Tectonic plates movement, pressure, temperature and water melt rocks cause the formation of volcanoes. The major effects of a volcano are pollution and climate change.
4. Storms:Â
A storm is defined as the disturbance in atmosphere which is characterized by cloud cover, low biometric pressure, strong wind, lightning, precipitation and thunder. Cyclones, Typhoons, tornados, haboobs, blizzards, hurricanes and supercells are some forms of storms. Storms can cause serious damage to the environment.
Other Natural Disasters:Â Â
5. Tsunamis: Giant waves under the sea.
6. Drought:Â Extended dry period without rainfall.
7. Wildfires:Â Uncontrolled fire in forest.
8. Landslides:Â Collapse of mass from mountains or cliffs.