What are Natural Disasters?

Types of Natural Disasters Tornadoes Hurricanes Earthquakes Volcanoes Floods Tsunamis Winter Storms Wildfires

The World is always changing. Natural disasters are changes which are so great they may cause damage to the shape of the land or to the lives of people and other living things. Great changes happen deep inside the Earth and on its surface. The changes on the outer part of the Earth happen because of different kinds of weather.

A tall column of air spinning round very fast is a … tornado

Tornadoes Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful thunderstorms Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major damage More occur in the United States than anywhere else in the world; they occur in every state in America. Related Websites: FEMA for Kids National Geographic: Nature’s Fury Scholastic Weather Watch National Geographic: Tornado Chasers

Tornado Preparation Visit this website for tornado safety tips for home, school, outdoors, mobile homes, and large buildings. National Weather Service: Tornado!

Effects of Tornadoes in Alabama Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000

Effects of Tornado in Joplin, MO JHS Video Footage

Joplin Damage

Path

An extremely violent wind or storm is a… hurricane

Hurricanes Massive severe storms occurring in the tropics Winds greater than 75 MPH Clouds & winds spin around the eye Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves, and spin-off tornadoes Related Websites: NOAA: Hurricanes Tropical Twisters National Geographic Kids – Hurricane! BrainPop movie

Hurricane Preparations Visit this website to learn more about preparing for the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Preparedness for Kids

Effects of Alabama Hurricanes Hurricane Frederick - 1979 Hurricane Ivan 2005

A violent tropical storm in which the air goes round and round is a … cyclone

A shaking of the ground is an… earthquake

Earthquakes Shaking caused by movements of plates in the earth’s crust Occur along faults – borders between two plates Occur most often along the Ring of Fire Related Websites: National Geographic: Earthquakes Exploratorium Faultline Project USGS: Earthquakes for Kids

Preparing for Earthquakes Visit this site to learn more about earthquakes. Scroll down through the page to discover valuable tips for earthquake safety. Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes

Volcanoes Volcano World Virtual Field Trips More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; over half in the Ring of Fire Pressure builds below the earth’s surface producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic gases Related Websites: National Geographic Kids – Volcano! Build a Volcano Activity Volcano World Virtual Field Trips

Preparing for a Volcano Visit this site for safety tips before, during, and after a volcano. Weather Wiz Kids: Volcano Safety

A large amount of water that covers an area is a … flood

Floods Result from heavy rains May involve rivers overflowing, storm surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees breaking Most common natural hazard Flashfloods = floods that happen very fast Related websites: PBS: In Focus – Floods! How TVA Stops Floods Nova – Hot Science: The River’s Gift

Flood Preparations Visit this site to learn more about floods, and scroll down to discover important flood safety tips. Weather Wiz Kids – Rain and Floods

A huge wave caused by an earthquake which flows onto land is a … tsunami

Tsunamis Form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, or landsides under the ocean Waves grow taller as they reach the coast Four out of Five occur in the Ring of Fire Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05 Indian Ocean tsunami Related Websites: National Geographic Kids – Killer Wave! Pacific Tsunami Museum – Student Corner PBS – Savage Earth: Tsunamis

Tsunami Preparedness Visit this website for important tips for surviving a tsunami. FEMA Hazards Fact Sheets: Tsunami

Effects of Tsunamis Indian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005

A large mass of snow falling down the side of a mountain is an… avalanche

Winter Storms May include snow, ice storms, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperatures Most deaths occur in automobiles Storms may cause widespread power outages Related Websites: National Weather Service: Winter Storms Risk Watch: Severe Winter Storms Scholastic – Winter Storms

Winter Storm Preparations Visit these sites for tips on how to prepare for a winter storm. CDC: Winter Storm Facts Winter Storm Fact Sheet

A period of time with no rain is a … drought

Heat Wave Prolonged period of excessively hot weather which can be accompanied by high humidity. Severe heat waves have caused catastrophic crop failures, thousands of death and widespread power outtages.

Wildfires Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded areas Most common causes: lightning and human accidents Burn more than 4 million acres in the U.S. each year Related Websites: Smokey Bear: Kids National Geographic: Wildfires Dialogue for Kids – Wildfire Facts

Preparing for Wildfires Visit this site to learn important tips for protecting your family and home during a wildfire. Risk Watch: Wildfires

Famine Extreme scarcity of food.

Disease An abnormal condition that affects the body of an organism. It is often constructed as a medical condition associated with specific symptoms and sings. Can originate from external source (infectious disease).