Disaster Awareness: Understanding Natural Hazards

1. Natural Disasters

2. Tsunami • from the Japaneese word for “ harbour wave” • a series of giant, long ocean waves • created by an underwater disturbances • i.e. earthquakes, landslides, volcanic eruptions • Can move hundreds of miles per hour in the ocean • smashes into land with waves as high as 100 feet or more.

3. Wildfire • “wildfire” describes an uncontrolled fire • fires spread over vast areas quickly and easily • destroys forests, vegetation, animal species • Sometimes caused by lightning but • often are caused by people consequence of carelessness, or arson

4. Flood • Water overflows onto land that's normally dry affecting usual activities • Flooding arise from: • overflowing rivers, • heavy rainfall over a short duration (flash floods), • an inflow of sea water onto land • Sedimentation and deforestation can worsen impact of floods • Seasonal flooding may be important for agriculture and water tables

5. Hurricane • A tropical storm with winds over 74mph • Winds blow in a spiral around a relative calm center known as the "eye” • can bring torrential rains, high winds, and storm surges. • Can only occur over the Atlantic, Carribean Sea, Gulf of Mexico What is this cartoon saying?

6. Earthquake • The sudden rapid shaking of the Earth • Result of shifting tectonic plates • This releases energy that causes the ground to move • Earthquakes may trigger other hazards • A large earthquake in the ocean floor can produce tsunami waves San Andres Fault Line