2. The surface of the earth 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.
3. What are Natural Disasters?What are Natural Disasters?
Volcanic eruptionsVolcanic eruptions
EarthquakesEarthquakes
TsunamisTsunamis
Cyclones or HurricanesCyclones or Hurricanes
TornadoesTornadoes
AvalanchesAvalanches
FloodsFloods
DroughtsDroughts
Forest fires or BrushfiresForest fires or Brushfires
HaboobsHaboobs
SinkholesSinkholes
4. VolcanoesVolcanoes
A volcanic eruption is the spurting out ofA volcanic eruption is the spurting out of
gases and hot lava from an opening in thegases and hot lava from an opening in the
Earth’s crust.Earth’s crust.
Pressure from deep inside the EarthPressure from deep inside the Earth
forces ash, gas and molten rock to theforces ash, gas and molten rock to the
surface.surface.
5. Washington - Mt. St. HelensWashington - Mt. St. Helens
erupted in 1980.erupted in 1980.
8. It caused 1 billion dollars inIt caused 1 billion dollars in
damage (2.88 billion dollars indamage (2.88 billion dollars in
today’s money).today’s money).
9. In 1883, a volcano erupted onIn 1883, a volcano erupted on
Krakatoa Island in Indonesia.Krakatoa Island in Indonesia.
10. Two-thirds of the island collapsed.Two-thirds of the island collapsed.
11. The volcanic eruption combinedThe volcanic eruption combined
with the tsunami it created causedwith the tsunami it created caused
36,417 people to die.36,417 people to die.
12. The eruption of Krakatoa was soThe eruption of Krakatoa was so
loud, it was heard 3,000 miles awayloud, it was heard 3,000 miles away
in Mauritius!in Mauritius!
13. EarthquakesEarthquakes
An earthquake is a violent shaking of theAn earthquake is a violent shaking of the
ground. Sometimes it is so strong that theground. Sometimes it is so strong that the
ground splits apart.ground splits apart.
When parts of the earth, called plates,When parts of the earth, called plates,
move against each other giant shockmove against each other giant shock
waves move upwards towards the surfacewaves move upwards towards the surface
causing the earthquake.causing the earthquake.
19. Tsunami waves can beTsunami waves can be
as high as 100 ft.as high as 100 ft.
20. Imagine a wave as tallImagine a wave as tall
as this building.as this building.
21. In 2011, an earthquakeIn 2011, an earthquake
occurred near Japan.occurred near Japan.
22. This earthquake moved JapanThis earthquake moved Japan
8 feet east and caused the8 feet east and caused the
earth’s axis to shift about 6earth’s axis to shift about 6
inches.inches.
23. It also caused a huge tsunamiIt also caused a huge tsunami
to hit Japan.to hit Japan.
24. The wave was 133 feet high.The wave was 133 feet high.
25. The death toll was 20,448The death toll was 20,448
people.people.
26. The tsunami caused level 7The tsunami caused level 7
meltdowns at 3 nuclearmeltdowns at 3 nuclear
reactors in Japan..reactors in Japan..
27. The economic cost was estimated at 235The economic cost was estimated at 235
billion dollars, making it the most costlybillion dollars, making it the most costly
natural disaster in world history.natural disaster in world history.
28. Cyclones, Hurricanes,Cyclones, Hurricanes,
Tornados or TyphoonsTornados or Typhoons
A Cyclone is a fierce storm with storm winds
that spin around it in a giant circle. During a
cyclone trees can be uprooted, buildings
can be destroyed and cars can be
overturned.
29. Interesting fact about cyclones: theyInteresting fact about cyclones: they
rotate counterclockwise in the Northernrotate counterclockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere and clockwise in theHemisphere and clockwise in the
Southern Hemisphere.Southern Hemisphere.
30.
31. What is the differenceWhat is the difference
between a cyclone and abetween a cyclone and a
hurricane?hurricane?
33. Hurricanes can be up to 600 milesHurricanes can be up to 600 miles
across. The wind they generate canacross. The wind they generate can
be from 75-200 mph.be from 75-200 mph.
34. One of the most famous hurricanes isOne of the most famous hurricanes is
Hurricane Katrina of 2005.Hurricane Katrina of 2005.
35. It struck the southern United States.It struck the southern United States.
New Orleans, Louisiana suffered theNew Orleans, Louisiana suffered the
most.most.
36. Hurricane Katrina cost the lives of atHurricane Katrina cost the lives of at
least 1,833 people.least 1,833 people.
37. Hurricane Katrina caused massiveHurricane Katrina caused massive
flooding in New Orleans.flooding in New Orleans.
38. The total damage caused byThe total damage caused by
Hurricane Katrina is estimated at $108Hurricane Katrina is estimated at $108
billion.billion.
39.
40.
41. What’s the difference between aWhat’s the difference between a
hurricane and a typhoon?hurricane and a typhoon?
42. Typhoons are hurricanes that developTyphoons are hurricanes that develop
in the western part of the North Pacificin the western part of the North Pacific
Ocean.Ocean.
43. Extreme tornadoes can attain windExtreme tornadoes can attain wind
speeds of more than 300 mph.speeds of more than 300 mph.
44. Some tornadoes can stretch moreSome tornadoes can stretch more
than 2 miles across.than 2 miles across.
48. Tornadoes have been observed onTornadoes have been observed on
every continent except Antarctica.every continent except Antarctica.
49. The vast majority of tornadoes occur inThe vast majority of tornadoes occur in
the Tornado Alley region of the U.S.the Tornado Alley region of the U.S.
50. AvalanchesAvalanches
An Avalanche is a movement of snow, ice and
rock down a mountainside. Avalanches happen
very suddenly and can move as fast as a racing
car up to 124mph.
Avalanches can be caused by –
snow melting quickly
snow freezing, melting then freezing again
someone skiing
a loud noise or an earth tremor
56. FloodsFloods
A flood is caused by an overflow of water which
covers the land that is usually dry.
Floods are caused by heavy rain or by snow
melting and the rivers burst their banks and
overflow.
Costal floods are caused by high tides, a rise in
sea level, storm waves or tsunami (earthquakes
under the sea).
61. DroughtDrought
A drought is the lack of rain for a long time.
In 1968 a drought began in Africa. Children born
during this year were five years old before rain
fell again.
65. Forest Fire or BrushfireForest Fire or Brushfire
Fires can burn out of control in areas of forest or
brush land. Fires are caused by lightning, sparks
of electricity or careless people. Wind may blow a
brushfire to areas where people live.
66. Brushfires can advance onBrushfires can advance on
cities and cause destruction.cities and cause destruction.
67. In 1988, Yellowstone National ParkIn 1988, Yellowstone National Park
experienced many wildfires.experienced many wildfires.
68.
69.
70. The fires lasted from June untilThe fires lasted from June until
November before snow finally put themNovember before snow finally put them
all out.all out.
71. HaboobsHaboobs
Intense dust storms that occur in desertIntense dust storms that occur in desert
regions.regions.
The word is Arabic.The word is Arabic.
76. SinkholesSinkholes
Sinkholes are created by a collapse of theSinkholes are created by a collapse of the
surface layer.surface layer.
They are sometimes caused by theThey are sometimes caused by the
chemical erosion of underground rock.chemical erosion of underground rock.
86. What is the difference betweenWhat is the difference between
a hurricane and a typhoon?a hurricane and a typhoon?
87. What is the difference betweenWhat is the difference between
a hurricane and a cyclone?a hurricane and a cyclone?
88. True or False?True or False?
Tsunamis are caused byTsunamis are caused by
earthquakes.earthquakes.
89. True or False?True or False?
Tsunamis can be as tall as 300Tsunamis can be as tall as 300
ft.ft.
90. True or False?True or False?
The word “haboob” is aThe word “haboob” is a
Japanese word.Japanese word.
91. True or False?True or False?
Sinkholes can be caused by theSinkholes can be caused by the
collapse of underground cavecollapse of underground cave
ceilings.ceilings.
92. True or False?True or False?
Hurricanes spinHurricanes spin
counterclockwise in thecounterclockwise in the
Northern Hemisphere.Northern Hemisphere.
93. True or False?True or False?
Avalanches can be caused by aAvalanches can be caused by a
loud noise.loud noise.
94. True or False:True or False:
Haboobs are the same asHaboobs are the same as
hurricanes.hurricanes.
