1. On the back, illustrate an example of each natural disaster
Catastrophic Events:
An event that results from natural Earth processes that can cause damage and endanger human life
Fold your paper like this:
On the back, illustrate an example of each natural disaster
One catastrophic event goes into each of the sections

2. Often accompanied by torrential rains Occur June-November
Hurricanes: A large rotating windstorm that forms over warm ocean water
Wind speed >74 mph
Huge, many miles across
Often accompanied by torrential rains
Occur June-November
Gets its energy from warm water
Calm center of the storm is called the eye
Strongest winds surround the eye (eye wall)

3. Hurricanes: Impact Impact on Land
Storm surge: Flood of ocean water pushed onto land by the hurricane winds (causes most deaths associated with hurricanes)
Heavy rain and flooding: After hurricanes make landfall, and their winds slow down, the amount of rainfall becomes a major factor, and can cause significant flooding.
Beach Erosion: waves and the storm surge move sand and rocks from one place to another and changes the shape of shorelines
Impact on Humans
Destroys beachfront properties (waves and storm surge)
Floods roads/homes (rain and storm surge)
Wind blows down trees, fences, power lines, etc.
Most damage is due to flooding and the storm surge

4. Occur during thunderstorms Wind damage Spring/Summer
Tornado: A funnel shaped column of rotating air (wind) that stretches from the bottom of clouds to the ground
Wind speed mph
~250 ft across (average)
Occur during thunderstorms
Wind damage
Spring/Summer
Mostly in the central U.S. (Tornado Alley)

5. Tornados: Impact On Land Knocks down trees and other tall objects
On Humans
Blow windows outward
Destroy buildings and bridges
Most damage caused by the wind
On Land
Knocks down trees and other tall objects
Often accompanied by hail (ice falling from the sky)
Destroys crops and other living things they pass through

6. Caused by: Heavy rains (hurricanes & thunderstorms)
Floods: An overflow of water that covers land not normally covered by water
Caused by: Heavy rains (hurricanes & thunderstorms)
Storm surge (hurricanes)
Tsunamis

7. Floods: Impact On Land: Erosion of beaches and riverbanks (negative)
Deposits new soil (positive)
On humans:
Destroys crops
Destroys buildings and property
Drowning

8. Earthquakes: Movement of rock along cracks in the Earth's surface (faults)
Caused by the movement of tectonic plates floating on melted rock under the Earth's crust
Strength is measured on the Richter Scale

9. Earthquakes: Impact On Humans: On Land:
Destroy buildings and roads (negative)
Break underground gas lines and pipes
Cause fires when the gas is ignited
On Land:
Build mountains (positive)

10. Volcano: An opening in the Earth's crust that allows magma/lava (melted rock) to come out
Often occur near edges of tectonic plates

11. Volcanoes: Impact On Land: Releases ash into the air (negative)
Forms new mountains/islands (positive)
On Living Things:
Burns/knocks down trees
Forces animals to relocate
Destroys habitats near the volcano

12. Tsunamis: A large wave caused by underwater earthquakes or landslides.
Usually occur in the ocean
Can be over 100 feet tall

13. Tsunamis: Impact On Land: Creates floods Erodes beaches Destroys crops
On Humans:
Destroys buildings
Kills many people (Indonesia, Japan, etc.)

14. Wildfires: An uncontrolled fire which burns vegetation (grasses, trees, etc.)
Can be caused naturally by lightning
Can be caused by humans (playing with matches, etc.)
Occur more frequently during times of drought (low rainfall)

15. Wildfires: Impact On Humans: Destroys crops On Land:
Burn homes or buildings
On Land:
Destroys plants
Causes animals to relocate
Produces fertile soil (positive)

16. Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES
Answer the following questions in COMPLETE SENTENCES. You do not have to write the questions.
Describe how people can reduce their risk from a natural hazard.
Many new homes have been built in valleys near Mt. Rainier, a volcano in Washington state that might erupt again. Should people continue building new homes there? Explain.
Is it possible for one natural disaster to cause another natural disaster? Describe and explain.
Is there any time a catastrophic event could have a beneficial effect of the environment?
How would the ability to predict a catastrophic event ahead of time be beneficial to people?