DO NOW WEDNESDAY Which natural disaster do you think would be the worst and why?

TODAY’S PLAN TODAY’S DO Identify and define different types of natural disasters and their causes. Analyze and interpret data on natural disasters to forecast future events. Explain how technology can be used to predict and prepare for natural disasters. TODAY’S DO We will discuss definitions and causes of earthquakes, tsunamis, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and forest fires

Definitions and Causes Natural Disasters Definitions and Causes

Earthquake Definition and Causes What is an Earthquake http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/videos/earth/whatisanearthquake.html

Earthquake Definition Earthquake = the shaking and trembling that results from movement of rock beneath Earth’s surface Intro to Earthquakes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrBaiPN6AW8

What causes earthquakes? Movement of lithospheric plates

Where do earthquakes happen? Along plate boundaries, where movement is occurring.

Tsunamis Definition and Causes

Tsunami Definition A tsunami is a series of ocean waves with very long wavelengths (typically hundreds of kilometers) caused by large-scale disturbances of the ocean

What causes tsunamis? earthquakes landslides volcanic eruptions explosions meteorites

Where do tsunamis happen? The Pacific “Ring of Fire” is the most common place for tsunamis to happen, due to the number of volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Floods Definition and Causes

Flood Definition An overflow of water onto normally dry land The most common environmental hazed worldwide

What causes floods? Heavy rains, especially in a short period of time Overflow of a river when there is more water upstream than usual Strong winds, hurricanes, and tsunamis in coastal areas Breakage of a dam Melting of ice and snow

Where do floods happen? River floodplains and coastal areas are most prone to flooding Areas with unusually long periods of heavy rainfall Bangladesh is the most flood prone area in the world

Hurricanes Definition and Causes

Hurricane Definition Storm system made up of a low pressure center and thunderstorms with strong winds and heavy rains Called hurricanes in the Atlantic Ocean Called typhoons in the Pacific Ocean Northern Hemisphere hurricanes rotate counterclockwise Southern Hemisphere hurricanes rotate clockwise

What causes hurricanes? Six factors in combination cause hurricanes: High water temperatures (>80°F) Rapid cooling of air High humidity Low wind shear Some kind of circulation of air and low pressure center (a pre-existing weather disturbance)

Where do hurricanes happen? In any of the world’s ocean, usually in the tropics, and then hit coastlines all over the world

Tornadoes Definition and Causes

Tornado Definition A violently rotating column of air that is in contact with the ground

What causes tornadoes? 3 conditions in combination result in tornadoes: Warm, humid air stream meets with a cold, dry air stream and the jet stream coming at speeds of about 150 mph.

Where do tornadoes happen? Have been observed on every continent (except Antarctica) The U.S. has the most tornadoes per year, especially in “Tornado Alley”: Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, and Nebraska

Wild Fires Definition and Causes

Wild Fire Definition Uncontrolled fire in a wooded area

What causes forest fires? High temperatures, drought conditions Can be triggered by lightning, lava, or human influence It is estimated that 90% are due to human activity, while 10% are started by lightning or lava.

Where do wild fires happen? Occur on every continent Australia is the most wild fore prone country in the world Among the most wild fire prone states in the U.S. are California and Texas

Want to know more? For more information, visit: http://www.n-d-a.org