Natural Disasters Jill Brookes Saks Elementary Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005

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

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

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

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

Effects of Alabama Hurricanes Hurricane Frederick Hurricane Ivan 2005

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

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

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

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

Effects of Tsunamis Indian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005

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

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