essay on human natural disasters

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Natural Disasters Essay

Natural disasters are not in the control of human beings. Like many other countries, India is also plagued with many natural disasters because of its geographical location and environment. In the past few decades, the temperature in the Indian subcontinent has risen. A natural calamity is called a disaster when it affects people or property on a large scale. Here are a few sample essays on the topic ‘Natural Disasters’.

100 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Humans have been subjected to the impact of natural disasters for as long as they have been on Earth. Disasters, unfortunately, are happening all the time. Most of the Natural Disasters we see are caused by natural forces. Therefore, they are almost impossible to prevent from happening. Natural disasters like floods, drought, landslides, earthquakes, and cyclones frequently occur all throughout the world. Often, natural disasters leave mass effects and it can take years to control the damage. However, the negative effects and damages caused by these natural disasters can be reduced significantly if proper warning systems or policies are used.

200 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are mostly naturally occurring events that greatly damage human lives and assets. Every year, many lives are lost due to natural disasters across the globe. Many people are left with no home or property. They suffer endlessly. Some natural disasters are floods, landslides, cyclones, hurricanes, drought, wildfires. This problem becomes far more severe when a natural disaster occurs in a densely populated place. Unfortunately, most natural disasters are unpreventable from happening. We can only forecast these events and take necessary measures to mitigate the loss.

India is one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters because of its unique geological position. Every year India witnesses nearly five cyclones of various intensities. Droughts in summer and mild to strong earthquakes are frequently experienced in many northern parts of India near the Himalayas. In India, wildfires are caused in the forest area during the autumn and summer seasons. Our country is also witnessing dramatic climate changes and massive global warming due to pollution and greenhouse gases. Due to this, natural disasters are becoming more frequent than before.

Coping Up With Natural Disasters

Most natural disasters are out of our control and can occur randomly. All we can do, however, is take necessary precautions as soon as we are able to predict when the disaster is going to take place. Global Warming is an important reason for all these things. Therefore, we must protect and preserve our natural environment. It is essential to warn people of upcoming disasters. A mandatory evacuation should be carried out if necessary. After the disaster, people should be provided financial help to recover from damages and losses from the disaster.

500 Words Essay On Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are events that occur due to either biological activity or human-made activity. Human lives and property are affected for a long time after it occurs. The number of cases is increasing worldwide every day. It is because of the over-exploitation of natural resources by mankind. India suffers significantly from natural disasters due to its vulnerable geographical location. Due to this, our country still needs a proper disaster management unit.

Types Of Natural Disasters

Different kinds of Natural Disasters in India occur very often and have major effects on people’s lives.

Earthquake | An earthquake is a natural event when the Earth's tectonic plates suddenly shift and cause the ground to shake. This shaking can damage buildings and other structures, as well as loss of life. Earthquakes can happen at any time and can strike without warning, making them a frightening and unpredictable phenomenon.

Cyclone | A cyclone is a type of storm characterised by a low-pressure centre and strong winds that spiral inward and upward. Cyclones are also typhoons or hurricanes, depending on the region in which they occur. Cyclones form over warm ocean waters and typically move toward land, where they can cause widespread damage and destruction. They are often accompanied by heavy rainfall and can spawn tornadoes. The destructive power of a cyclone comes from its strong winds, which can reach speeds of over 150 miles per hour. These winds can uproot trees, damage buildings, and create storm surges, large waves that can flood coastal areas.

Wildfire | A wildfire is a large, uncontrolled fire that occurs in a natural habitat, such as a forest, grassland, or prairie. Wildfires can happen due to various factors, including lightning, human activity, and extreme weather conditions. When a wildfire occurs, it can spread quickly, consuming everything in its path. Wildfires can have many adverse effects on the environment and people. For example, they can destroy homes and other buildings and critical infrastructures, such as roads and bridges. They can also cause air pollution and respiratory issues for people living in the area.

Human Activities And Natural Disasters

Human activities can contribute to the occurrence and severity of natural disasters, such as earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires. For example, activities like deforestation, urbanisation, and climate change can increase the likelihood and impact of these events.

Deforestation, which removes vegetation from an area, can increase the risk of natural disasters. Trees and other vegetation hold the upper layer of soil in place, which prevents erosion and landslides. When these plants are removed, the ground becomes more vulnerable to being swept away by heavy rainfall or other natural forces.

Urbanisation, or the growth of cities and towns, can also contribute to natural disasters. As more and more people move into urban areas, the risk of earthquakes, wildfires, and other natural disasters increases. For example, the construction of buildings and other structures can alter the natural landscape, making it more susceptible to damage from earthquakes and other events.

Climate change, the long-term warming of the Earth's surface and atmosphere, can also increase the likelihood and severity of natural disasters. Higher temperatures can lead to more often intense heat waves, droughts, and wildfires. Rising sea levels can cause more severe flooding, particularly in coastal areas.

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Data Administrator

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Bio Medical Engineer

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Ethical Hacker

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GIS officer work on various GIS software to conduct a study and gather spatial and non-spatial information. GIS experts update the GIS data and maintain it. The databases include aerial or satellite imagery, latitudinal and longitudinal coordinates, and manually digitized images of maps. In a career as GIS expert, one is responsible for creating online and mobile maps.

Data Analyst

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Geothermal Engineer

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Database Architect

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Remote Sensing Technician

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Budget Analyst

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Underwriter

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Finance Executive

Product manager.

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Operations Manager

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Stock Analyst

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Welding Engineer

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Transportation Planner

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Environmental Engineer

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Safety Manager

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Conservation Architect

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Structural Engineer

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Highway Engineer

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Field Surveyor

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Orthotist and Prosthetist

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Pathologist

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Veterinary Doctor

Speech therapist, gynaecologist.

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Audiologist

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An oncologist is a specialised doctor responsible for providing medical care to patients diagnosed with cancer. He or she uses several therapies to control the cancer and its effect on the human body such as chemotherapy, immunotherapy, radiation therapy and biopsy. An oncologist designs a treatment plan based on a pathology report after diagnosing the type of cancer and where it is spreading inside the body.

Are you searching for an ‘Anatomist job description’? An Anatomist is a research professional who applies the laws of biological science to determine the ability of bodies of various living organisms including animals and humans to regenerate the damaged or destroyed organs. If you want to know what does an anatomist do, then read the entire article, where we will answer all your questions.

For an individual who opts for a career as an actor, the primary responsibility is to completely speak to the character he or she is playing and to persuade the crowd that the character is genuine by connecting with them and bringing them into the story. This applies to significant roles and littler parts, as all roles join to make an effective creation. Here in this article, we will discuss how to become an actor in India, actor exams, actor salary in India, and actor jobs.

Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats create and direct original routines for themselves, in addition to developing interpretations of existing routines. The work of circus acrobats can be seen in a variety of performance settings, including circus, reality shows, sports events like the Olympics, movies and commercials. Individuals who opt for a career as acrobats must be prepared to face rejections and intermittent periods of work. The creativity of acrobats may extend to other aspects of the performance. For example, acrobats in the circus may work with gym trainers, celebrities or collaborate with other professionals to enhance such performance elements as costume and or maybe at the teaching end of the career.

Video Game Designer

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Depending on the video game designer job description and experience they may also have to lead a team and do the early testing of the game in order to suggest changes and find loopholes.

Radio Jockey

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A career as radio jockey has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. If you want to know more about a career as radio jockey, and how to become a radio jockey then continue reading the article.

Choreographer

The word “choreography" actually comes from Greek words that mean “dance writing." Individuals who opt for a career as a choreographer create and direct original dances, in addition to developing interpretations of existing dances. A Choreographer dances and utilises his or her creativity in other aspects of dance performance. For example, he or she may work with the music director to select music or collaborate with other famous choreographers to enhance such performance elements as lighting, costume and set design.

Social Media Manager

A career as social media manager involves implementing the company’s or brand’s marketing plan across all social media channels. Social media managers help in building or improving a brand’s or a company’s website traffic, build brand awareness, create and implement marketing and brand strategy. Social media managers are key to important social communication as well.

Photographer

Photography is considered both a science and an art, an artistic means of expression in which the camera replaces the pen. In a career as a photographer, an individual is hired to capture the moments of public and private events, such as press conferences or weddings, or may also work inside a studio, where people go to get their picture clicked. Photography is divided into many streams each generating numerous career opportunities in photography. With the boom in advertising, media, and the fashion industry, photography has emerged as a lucrative and thrilling career option for many Indian youths.

An individual who is pursuing a career as a producer is responsible for managing the business aspects of production. They are involved in each aspect of production from its inception to deception. Famous movie producers review the script, recommend changes and visualise the story.

They are responsible for overseeing the finance involved in the project and distributing the film for broadcasting on various platforms. A career as a producer is quite fulfilling as well as exhaustive in terms of playing different roles in order for a production to be successful. Famous movie producers are responsible for hiring creative and technical personnel on contract basis.

Copy Writer

In a career as a copywriter, one has to consult with the client and understand the brief well. A career as a copywriter has a lot to offer to deserving candidates. Several new mediums of advertising are opening therefore making it a lucrative career choice. Students can pursue various copywriter courses such as Journalism , Advertising , Marketing Management . Here, we have discussed how to become a freelance copywriter, copywriter career path, how to become a copywriter in India, and copywriting career outlook.

In a career as a vlogger, one generally works for himself or herself. However, once an individual has gained viewership there are several brands and companies that approach them for paid collaboration. It is one of those fields where an individual can earn well while following his or her passion.

Ever since internet costs got reduced the viewership for these types of content has increased on a large scale. Therefore, a career as a vlogger has a lot to offer. If you want to know more about the Vlogger eligibility, roles and responsibilities then continue reading the article.

For publishing books, newspapers, magazines and digital material, editorial and commercial strategies are set by publishers. Individuals in publishing career paths make choices about the markets their businesses will reach and the type of content that their audience will be served. Individuals in book publisher careers collaborate with editorial staff, designers, authors, and freelance contributors who develop and manage the creation of content.

Careers in journalism are filled with excitement as well as responsibilities. One cannot afford to miss out on the details. As it is the small details that provide insights into a story. Depending on those insights a journalist goes about writing a news article. A journalism career can be stressful at times but if you are someone who is passionate about it then it is the right choice for you. If you want to know more about the media field and journalist career then continue reading this article.

Individuals in the editor career path is an unsung hero of the news industry who polishes the language of the news stories provided by stringers, reporters, copywriters and content writers and also news agencies. Individuals who opt for a career as an editor make it more persuasive, concise and clear for readers. In this article, we will discuss the details of the editor's career path such as how to become an editor in India, editor salary in India and editor skills and qualities.

Individuals who opt for a career as a reporter may often be at work on national holidays and festivities. He or she pitches various story ideas and covers news stories in risky situations. Students can pursue a BMC (Bachelor of Mass Communication) , B.M.M. (Bachelor of Mass Media) , or MAJMC (MA in Journalism and Mass Communication) to become a reporter. While we sit at home reporters travel to locations to collect information that carries a news value.

Corporate Executive

Are you searching for a Corporate Executive job description? A Corporate Executive role comes with administrative duties. He or she provides support to the leadership of the organisation. A Corporate Executive fulfils the business purpose and ensures its financial stability. In this article, we are going to discuss how to become corporate executive.

Multimedia Specialist

A multimedia specialist is a media professional who creates, audio, videos, graphic image files, computer animations for multimedia applications. He or she is responsible for planning, producing, and maintaining websites and applications.

Quality Controller

A quality controller plays a crucial role in an organisation. He or she is responsible for performing quality checks on manufactured products. He or she identifies the defects in a product and rejects the product.

A quality controller records detailed information about products with defects and sends it to the supervisor or plant manager to take necessary actions to improve the production process.

Production Manager

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Natural Disasters Essay for Students and Children

500+ words essay on natural disasters.

A Natural disaster is an unforeseen occurrence of an event that causes harm to society. There are many Natural disasters that damage the environment and the people living in it. Some of them are earthquakes , cyclones, floods, Tsunami , landslides, volcanic eruption, and avalanches. Spatial extent measures the degree or severity of the disaster.

Levels of Disaster

The severity or degree of damage can be further divided into three categories:

Small Scale Disasters: Small scale disasters are those that extend from 50 Kms. to 100 Kms. So this kind of disasters does not cause much damage.

Medium-scale disasters: Medium Scale disasters extend from 100 Kms to 500 Kms. These cause more damage than a small scale disaster. Moreover, they can cause greater damage if they occur in colonial states.

Large Scale Disasters: These disasters cover an area of more than 1000 Kms. These cause the most severe damage to the environment. Furthermore, these disasters can even take over a country if the degree is high. For instance, the wiping out of the dinosaurs was because of a large scale natural disaster.

Get the huge list of more than 500 Essay Topics and Ideas

Types of Disasters

Causes: These can cause of releasing of the energy. This release is from the core of the earth. Furthermore, the release of energy causes seismic waves. Rupturing of geological faults causes earthquakes. But other events like volcanic eruptions, landslides mine blasts can also cause it.

Landslides: Landslides is the moving of big boulders of rocks or debris down a slope. As a result, landslides occur on mountains and hilly areas. Moreover, landslides can cause destruction to man-made things in many ways.

Causes: Gravitational pull, volcanic eruptions , earthquakes can cause landslides. Moreover, soil erosion due to deforestation is also a cause of landslides.

Avalanches: Avalanches are like landslides. But instead of rocks thousand tons of snow falls down the slope. Moreover, this causes extreme damage to anything that comes in its way. People who live in snowy mountains always have fear of it.

Causes: Avalanches takes places when there is a large accumulation of snow on the mountains. Moreover, they can also occur from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Furthermore, the chances of surviving an avalanche are very less. This is because people die of hypothermia in it.

Tsunami: Tsunami is the production of very high waves in oceans and seas. Moreover, the displacement of the ground causes these high waves. A tsunami can cause floods if it occurs near shores. A Tsunami can consist of multiple waves. Moreover, these waves have a high current. Therefore it can reach coastlines within minutes. The main threat of a tsunami is if a person sees a Tsunami he cannot outrun it.

Causes: Tsunami is unlike normal eaves that occur due to the wind. But Tsunami is waves that occur by ground displacement. Thus earthquakes are the main causes of Tsunamis.

FAQs on Essay on natural disaster

Q1.What are natural disasters?

A1. Natural Disasters are unforeseen events that cause damage to the environment and the people.

Q2.Name some Natural disasters.

A2. Some Natural Disasters are earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, Landslides, floods, Tsunami, avalanches. Natural disasters can cause great damage to human society. But preventive measures can be taken to reduce the damage from these disasters.

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Essays About Natural Disasters: 5 Examples and Prompts

Essays about natural disasters teach us many things; read on to see examples and prompts you can use for your piece.

Natural disasters are the sudden occurrence of natural and severe hazards threatening human welfare and survival. These events can cause injuries, destroy assets such as homes and businesses, and even death. Some examples of natural disasters are tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and storms.

Although emergency protocols are in place to alleviate and prevent natural disasters’ impact on both humanity and the economy, there is still no guarantee that these will be able to protect and save everyone from these misfortunes. Therefore, writing essays about natural disasters helps spread awareness on how to act when one faces these mishaps properly.

Below are five examples you should read to create essays about natural disasters effectively:

1. Planning For a Safer Tomorrow by Jyotsana B

2. natural disasters are often not natural by sandra valdez, 3. natural disasters essay by pradeep, 4. equity during natural disasters by writer kip, 5. natural disasters: nature’s revenge by anonymous on loveliessays.com, 1. my experience with natural disasters, 2. natural disasters: a history, 3. natural disasters and the economy, 4. types of natural disasters, 5. my take on natural disaster management, 6. causes of natural disasters, 7. after effects of natural disasters, 8. recovery from a natural disaster.

“Natural disasters have a severe impact on the society, therefore it is important to plan and develop a safety programme and devise means to efficiently deal with natural disaster. Development programme that go into promoting development at the local level have been left to the general exercise of planning.”

The author shares tips on how to prevent calamities and be prepared in case these natural disasters occur. These steps include proper analysis and risk assessment, adequate information database, modern infrastructure, and networks of knowledge-based institutions. The essay further expounds on each point and gives specific directions on successfully implementing these precautions.

“The word ‘natural’ indicates that humans have not triggered the catastrophe. However, human activity can definitely interfere with nature, which in turn may either cause a natural disaster or make its impacts much worse.”

Although Valdez agrees that “natural disasters” means humans do not directly create them, she also considers human’s significant contributions to these tragedies. She offers an example of earthquakes and the fluid injection incident in the Rocky Mountain Arsenal in Denver, Colorado. She further lists more human activities that trigger earthquakes, blaming human engineering that stresses the Earth’s faults. Finally, she acknowledges human speeds up disasters and human elements are innate in these equations.

“There is no doubt that extending help to someone during tough times is paramount. Rich countries should support poverty-stricken nations with altruistic aid while calamities take place… Being rich, similar nations are in a position to support countries that suffer economically and emotionally during nature havoc. The result of this is, not only induces good relations between countries but also paves the way to commercial transactions with minimized taxes in the future.”

Pradeep supports that countries with more resources should aid those with lesser assets. It’s not only because of altruistic reasons but because it can also be the foundation for good relationships between governments. These relationships can result in successful transactions and give comfort and security to grief-stricken countries.

“Should we allow prices to increase during natural disasters or should we protect against price gouging?… No policy is best for everyone… In the grand scheme of things, the market will return to normal the quickest whenever the market prices are allowed to fluctuate.”

Kip criticizes the way businesses increase the goods’ prices when there is a natural disaster. He questions if it’s the right thing to do to consumers who are only trying to purchase what they need to be ready for catastrophes.

He also includes business reviews that rationalize high prices by arguing increasing prices prevents product hoarding. He challenges this statement by asking the readers to consider those who don’t have the money to buy these overpriced essentials. The writer also mentions other terms to explain the economy during a natural disaster and even involves the government’s processes to mitigate its harmful effects.

“Our environment is our responsibility… Exactly who polluted our planet so much? There is only one answer: man. It is man’s actions that have caused the problem… Humanity must realize that if the current trends are allowed to continue unchecked, the future of life on Earth is at risk. it must be conserved.”

Is nature retaliating because of humans’ disregard for it? The author offers reports to present the unpredictability of these disasters brought by climate change. To further prove their points, the author lays down facts like the quick rising of the sea and changing rain patterns.

At the end of the essay, the writer urges man to be an environmentalist because he depends on his surroundings for food and shelter. Therefore, to survive, humans must treat nature well.

A tip: Run your essay through essay writing apps to organize and help you with style and grammar.

8 Prompts on Essays About Natural Disasters

There are many aspects of natural disasters you can zero in on. Here are easy but compelling prompts to tackle:

Essays About Natural Disasters: My experience with natural disasters

Share your experience with a calamity, and narrate what happened before, during, and after. Are there certain things you wish you did or didn’t do? Include how it affected your life and how you understand things work, such as the importance of first responders and following authorities in times of panic and chaos.

Then, focus on your personal experience. For example, your family might have to move places because you lost your home. Or that today, you always have an emergency bag packed and ready. You might also be interested in these essays about nature .

List down notable natural disasters that changed the course of the world. This could include volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, and hurricanes. Then, explain why they happened, how the government or country dealt with it, and discuss the precautions executed in case the disaster occurs again. Finally, include the lessons you learned from these tragedies.

Explain how natural disasters affect the economy. Then, to make it more relatable, you can relay the impact of these tragedies on your life. For example, did any of your relatives lose their job because of a natural disaster? Was your family forced to close down your business? Include personal anecdotes to create an engaging essay.

List the many natural disasters and discuss them in detail. In this essay, you can delve into the causes of each type of natural disaster and how it impacts nearby civilizations. What do you fear the most in these disasters? To make it easier, you can pick two natural disasters to compare and contrast.

Choose an incident where natural disaster management was applied and give your thoughts about it. Research a recent natural disaster and study how the local and national government managed it. If any failed initiatives or points could be improved upon, make sure to write your thoughts about this in your essay. Then, you can discuss what you believe will aid natural disaster management in the future.

For this prompt, you can split your essay into two sections. One section can discuss environmental causes, while the other delves into human activities that cause natural disasters. Topics can include pollution, climate change, and overpopulation of small areas. To create an emotive essay, write about your thoughts on what we can do as a society to mitigate these harmful activities.

Consider the short and long-term effects of these natural disasters. You can concentrate on a specific tragedy that the general public knows so your reader can easily imagine what you describe in your essay. To make your piece more interesting, you can list natural disasters’ negative and positive effects.

If you want your essay to focus on something positive, choose to discuss new beginnings. For example, you can center on a community and how its people helped each other recover. You can also include the assistance they received from different places and how it aided them in restarting their lives after the disaster.

If you are interested in learning more, check out our essay writing tips !

Maria Caballero is a freelance writer who has been writing since high school. She believes that to be a writer doesn't only refer to excellent syntax and semantics but also knowing how to weave words together to communicate to any reader effectively.

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Natural Disaster Essay: How to Write, Topics, & Examples

What would you do if someone told you that a tsunami would wipe out your house tomorrow afternoon? You won’t believe them. It always seems that natural disasters happen in someone else’s life. But every year, millions of people worldwide suffer from various natural calamities. This article attempts to systemize the chaos of nature for you to write an impressive natural disasters essay. You will get acquainted with the seven types of disasters, get a long list of topics and examples of natural disaster essay in 200 words and 300 words.

🌪️ Natural Disaster: The Basics
💡 114 Essay Topics
📑 Outlining Your Essay
🌊 Essay Sample (200 Words)
🏜️ Essay Sample (300 Words)

🌪️ Natural Disaster Essay: What Is It About?

A natural disaster is a large-scale meteorological or geological event that can to cause loss of life or massive damage to people’s property. Floods and severe storms are the most reported acts of nature in the US, but other incidents also happen from time to time. That is why you can dedicate your essay on natural disasters to earthquakes, droughts, wildfires, floods, tsunamis, hurricanes, or tornadoes.

The picture lists the 7 main types of natural disasters.

💡 114 Natural Disasters Essay Topics

What could you write in a natural disaster essay? You can invent your own topic about various types of natural disasters, their causes, and aftermath, or their impact on human life and the economy. Depending on the discipline, you can also describe historic calamities that changed the direction of human civilization. Alternatively, choose one from our comprehensive list below.

Why are the Great Plains of the central US ideal for tornado formation?
Global Warming and Climate Change Legislation .
Research the atmospheric parameters inside a tornado.
Energy, Technology and Climate Change .
Why are the boundaries of Tornado Alley in the US so debatable?
The global climate change as a manmade disaster.
Which actions should you never do when a tornado is nearby?
Volunteers’ Role During Disasters .
Suggest your opinion on the best action strategy in a hurricane.
The Columbia Disaster and safety violations.
What were the causes and effects of a flood?
Analysis on Climate Change and Global Impact .
Describe the most devastating wildfires in the US and find their common features.
Earthquake Engineering Considerations and Methods .
Brainstorm ideas to prevent wildfires.
Global warming and the greenhouse effect.
How can building dams cause earthquakes?
Climate Change and Its Impact on Freshwater .
Analyze the impact of droughts on tourism .
Climate Change Effect on Coral Reef Communities .
Describe the most extended droughts in human history.
Marine and Coastal Climate Change in Australia .
Write an essay on natural disasters and earthquakes in particular.
Air pollution and mortality rates
What are the distinctive features of droughts in third-world countries ?
Global Warming, Climate Change, and Society’s Impact on the Environment .
Study the relationship between global warming and droughts.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder After a Hurricane .
Evaluate the damage caused by Hurricane Maria in 2017.
Social Media’s Role in Disaster Response .
Classify the effects of natural disasters in an essay.
Sustainability and Climate Change .
Describe the 1815 volcanic eruption of Mt. Tambora, Indonesia.
Hurricane Katrina: Overview, Impact, Response .
Each new leap of civilization causes new responses of nature.
Animal Exploitation. Animal Agriculture and Climate Change .
Think of any positive effects a volcanic eruption may have.
In Arizona, Collaboration Averts Water Disaster .
Children are the poorest victims of any disaster.
A Solution to Remedy Climate Change .
Which ways of disaster risk reduction do you know?
An Emergency Operations Center During Hurricane Harvey .
Research the current problems in disaster management.
Disaster Recovery Plan for Information Technology Organizations .
Analyze ineffective disaster management in an essay about hurricane Katrina.
Nurse Competencies and Scope of Practice in Disaster .
What should a household have at home in the case of a disaster?
Hurricane Katrina: The Powerful Natural Disaster .
Describe the humanitarian disaster during the drought in Somalia.
Technology in Disaster Preparedness .
Can man-made disasters entail natural calamities?
Disaster Management in Philadelphia .
Review the criteria for disaster classification.
Jeddah Floods and Adaptation Strategies in the City of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia .
Search for real examples of hybrid disasters.
Natural Disasters Prevention: A Tabletop Exercise .
Who is responsible for casualties after a natural disaster?
The Sand Storms: Remote Sensing and Meteorological Variables .
List the lessons we could learn from our past disaster experience.
Fire Development, Growth, and Spreads .
The ice storm and silver thaw: A gentle disaster.
Fire Crisis Management in the UAE .
Rockslides: A pressing issue for rural areas.
1d – 2d Flood Modeling Using PCSWMM .
What are the psychological benefits of disaster preparedness?
Structural Control and Origin of Volcanism in the Taupo Volcanic Zone .
When does a blizzard become a disaster?
Extreme Weather Events + Geographies of Globalization .
Research the causes of dust storms and name the affected areas.
Strategies for Sustainable Integrated Oil Disaster Management in West Africa .
Why did the San Francisco earthquake (1906) cause devastating fires?
Causes of Climate Change .
What could be done to help people who lost their homes in an earthquake?
Book Review: Energy and Global Climate Change .
Analyze the role of World Vision in humanitarian aid after disasters.
Tangshan earthquake of 1976 showed that high population density is disastrous.
The Role of Carbon Dioxide in Climate Change .
Rock avalanche: Why water is the most powerful geological agent.
Aspects of Climate Change .
When do extreme weather conditions turn into a disaster?
Climate Change: Reasons, Kyoto Protocol .
Write an article on shelter-providing organizations for disaster victims.
Establishing an IT Disaster Recovery Plan .
Describe earthquake cycles in Haiti.
Effects of Climate Change on Agriculture and Food .
How can nature damage ecology in natural disasters?
Climate Change. Problems. Effects .
Disaster management should include psychological help to the survivors.
Climate Change Causes: Position and Strategies .
Suggest ways to prevent damage caused by debris flow.
HAT 4: Disaster in Franklin Country .
How did the lack of evacuation after the Bhola cyclone (1970) result in the massive death toll?
The Effects of Climate Change .
The most significant Yellow River flood: 2 million deaths in 1887.
Resilience Building Against Natural Disasters in the Caribbean Islands .
Sinkholes: A natural disaster or attraction for cavers and water-divers?
Global Climate Change and Health .
Describe the dynamics of landslides in California .
Which early-warning systems to detect avalanches do you know?
Los Angeles Regional Collaborative for Climate Action .
Pyroclastic flow: The deadliest volcanic hazard.
Communication During Disaster Response .
Describe the volcano eruption of Vesuvius that destroyed the Herculaneum and Pompeii.
Disaster Planning for Families .
Disaster prevention measures: Investments that save millions of lives.
Natural Disaster Management and Historical Prospective Study in the UAE .
Research the PTSD in survivors of natural disasters.
Are the latest disasters the nature’s fightback to humanity?
Estimate the human impact on natural disasters.
List the countries with the largest number of disasters and find their standard features.
Everyday Communication on Climate Change .
Insurance coverage against disasters: Our inevitable future.
Emergency Planning Before and After Hurricane Katrina .
One natural disaster could bring the world to its end.

Haven’t found a suitable topic in the list above? Use our essay topic generator to get more ideas.

📑 Natural Disaster Essay Outline

Outlines differ, depending on the assigned length and essay type. It is a reference sample. Feel free to modify it, extending some points and narrowing the others. Still, the overall structure should remain the same. We have chosen the “Causes of Earthquakes” essay topic for demonstrative purposes.

Hook . There are millions of possible ways to start your essay, from a rhetorical question to any imaginable scenario. The point is to grab the reader’s attention, showing them that your writing is unique and creative. For example: We are always concerned with the consequences of a natural disaster. But what brought us into such a calamity in the first place?
Concepts. Natural disasters can be studied in the framework of various disciplines. But in all cases, they are linked with geology, biology, chemistry, geography, and some other subjects with broad and complicated terminology. Explain the terms that could be elusive for your readers here. For example: For the purposes of this essay, an earthquake is a sudden displacement of the land surface.
Background. How did you come to think of this problem? Why is it topical? The causes of earthquakes are numerous and often unrelated. To understand them as a system, we need a strict classification.
Thesis statement . Clearly state the aim of your essay. This essay attempts to group the causes of earthquakes to determine which factors can be tackled by human forces.
Transition sentence. It comes in the previous sentence (for paragraphs 2 and 3) and ensures smooth reading. E.g.: Tectonic movements are the most powerful causes of earthquakes, and we cannot influence them. But still, there is something we could do.
Topic sentence . What will you explain in this paragraph? Human interference with nature can also cause earthquakes.
Evidence. How can you confirm the topic sentence? Heavy clubbing of dam water can disturbance the crustal balance. Nuclear bombing causes shockwaves that penetrate the surface, changing the tectonic plates and their natural alignment. Mining can also cause earthquakes by removing extensive volumes of stone from under the ground.
Warrant. Why does the reader need this information, and how does it relate to the thesis statement? Knowing these facts can help us change the old-fashioned approaches and lessen the ecological damage to our planet.
Summary. Collect and summarize all your arguments here. Tectonic movements, volcano eruptions, and geological faults cause a significant part of earthquakes worldwide. But various man-made causes bring us to the same result.
Rephrased thesis. We cannot stop the tectonic movements or hinder volcanic eruptions, but we can use natural resources with more care.

🌊 Natural Disaster Essay 200 Words

Below you will find a short natural disaster essay for 200 words. It explores the causes and effects of the tsunami in Japan in 2011.

Tsunami in Japan: Causes and Effects The proximity of the deadliest disasters is often unpredictable. As a result, the consequences of a tsunami can exceed any possible expectations. This essay looks for the decisive factors that caused the tsunami in Japan in 2011 and its results for the local population and other countries. The causes were out of human control and could not be predicted. The Pacific plate moved in the horizontal and vertical plane, advancing beneath the Eurasian Plate. It displaced the seawater above and entailed several destructive waves. The disaster had enormous consequences for the Japanese people and their economy. It killed almost 16,000 people, although the country had a sophisticated alarming system. Besides, the earthquake caused fires and explosions at oil factories. The cooling system of the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant went out of service. Two people were lost, and many were injured. Nissan, like many other large corporations, had to suspend the operation of its four factories. The economic losses due to the catastrophe amounted to 300 billion dollars. But the disaster moved to other places. On 24 March 2011, the earthquake in the east of Myanmar claimed the lives of 60 people and destroyed 300 buildings. As we can see, everything is linked on our planet. Movements of the earth’ crust in any part of the world bring about earthquakes and tsunami in other countries. The series of waves in Japan was caused by the underwater earthquake and had horrible consequences.

🏜️ Natural Disaster Essay 300 Words

If your assignment is longer, you will have to provide your opinion in the essay. Or, you can make your argumentation more detailed. Below you can check our 300-word sample of a disaster essay.

The Economic Effects of the Dust Bowl Drought When someone says “a natural disaster,” we usually imagine an earthquake or a tsunami. Buildings are destroyed, and property is lost. But imagine a scenario of a devastating drought, which happened in the US in the 1930s. Its effect is less visible because it lies in the domain of the national economy. This essay reveals the economic consequences of the Dust Bowl drought. During the third decade of the XX century, strong winds raised choking dust in the southern states, from Texas to Nebraska. People and animals died as the crops failed in the area for several years in a row. The Dust Bowl lasted for almost a decade and was also called “the Dirty Thirties.” This drought intensified the impact of the Great Depression. Local farmers had to migrate to urban areas in search of better conditions and other sources of living. About 2.5 million people moved West from the worst-hit states, namely New Mexico, Texas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Kansas. But they found only discrimination, meager salaries, and inhuman working conditions. Many had to live in tents near irrigation ditches. They were called “Okies,” a disdainful name for migrants of any state. Regular rains returned to the southern states by the end of 1939, closing the drought. However, the economic aftermath persisted. The counties that suffered the most failed to recover the agricultural value of their land till the 1950s. Thus, the local population kept decreasing for twenty years. Although a drought does not ruin property, it can tangibly lower human life levels. The Dust Bowl threw people into a lose-lose situation. Their farms were unfit for gaining any profit, and the new places of living gave them no better opportunities. It took two decades to restore public wellbeing in the Southern States.

Researching the worst acts of nature can teach you to value what you have. We hope that this article has made your creative writing more manageable and pleasurable. You can write an essay of any length by simply following our outline. All you will need to do after that is make a cover page for it.

Please share your natural disaster essay ideas in the comments below.

❓ Natural Disaster Essay FAQ

How to write an essay about natural disaster.

Your approach should depend on the discipline. But in any case, you can discuss the types of disasters, their consequences, characteristics, and preconditions. The excellent idea is to select a past disastrous event and analyze it from the economic, social, or individual point of view.

What Is a Disaster Essay?

A disaster essay explores the stages of a natural or man-made calamity and seeks the possible ways to prevent similar emergencies in the future. An article on disaster management studies the correct and efficient activities to lower the casualties and property loss after a disaster.

What Is Disaster Preparedness Essay?

This type of writing analyzes the level of readiness of a region or municipality to an unexpected natural disaster. You can highlight the vulnerable groups of the population that will suffer the most. Or, you may invent measures that could reduce the disaster response and coping time. Such assignments teach you strategic thinking and a systematic approach to problem-solving.

How to Describe a Natural Disaster for an Essay?

You should specify that the event was unexpected and led to many deaths and property loss. The most critical things include the causes of the disaster, its progress and duration, and the negative consequences for the locals. You can also specify the negative effect on the economy and humanitarian condition of the area.

🔗 References

Natural Disasters and Severe Weather | CDC
Types of Disasters | SAMHSA
Natural Disaster – an overview | ScienceDirect Topics
Natural Disasters – National Geographic
What Is Disaster Management: Prevention and Mitigation

Home — Essay Samples — Environment — Disasters — Natural Disasters

Essays on Natural Disasters

Hook examples for natural disasters essays, "nature's wrath unleashed" hook.

"Natural disasters remind us of the raw power of the Earth. Explore the awe-inspiring, yet devastating, forces that shape our world and challenge our resilience."

"Surviving the Unthinkable" Hook

"Survivors of natural disasters carry stories of strength and survival. Share firsthand accounts of individuals who faced nature's fury and emerged as heroes."

"Disaster Preparedness: Are We Ready?" Hook

"In an era of climate change, disaster preparedness is paramount. Analyze the state of our preparedness efforts, the role of technology, and the importance of community resilience."

"The Environmental Toll of Natural Disasters" Hook

"Beyond human impact, natural disasters take a toll on our environment. Investigate the ecological consequences of disasters and the long-term effects on ecosystems."

"Mitigating Disaster: A Race Against Time" Hook

"Scientists and policymakers are working tirelessly to mitigate the impact of natural disasters. Explore innovative strategies, early warning systems, and the quest to save lives."

"Humanitarian Response and Resilience" Hook

"Natural disasters bring out the best in humanity as communities and organizations rally to provide aid. Celebrate stories of humanitarian response and the strength of human resilience."

"The Future of Disaster Management" Hook

"As natural disasters become more frequent and severe, we must adapt. Discuss the future of disaster management, sustainable solutions, and global cooperation in the face of adversity."

Natural Disasters: Causes and Impacts

The effects of climate change on global weather patterns, made-to-order essay as fast as you need it.

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The Environmental Effects of Volcanoes: a Comprehensive Analysis

Report on natural disaster: hurricane katrina, the effects of natural disasters on economics, the natural disaster: earthquake, let us write you an essay from scratch.

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The Catastrophic Cyclone of April 1991 in Bangladesh

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A natural disaster is a major adverse event resulting from natural processes of the Earth.

Geological disasters: earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, sinkholes, etc. Hydrological disasters: floods, tsunami, limnic eruptions. Meteorological disasters: droughts, tropical cyclone, blizzards, hailstorms, etc. Wildfires. Space disasters.

Damage paths of tornadoes can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Between 2000 and 2012, natural disasters caused $1.7 trillion in damage and affected 2.9 billion people. Floods are the most widespread natural disaster aside from wildfires. 90% of all US natural disasters declared by the president involve some sort of flooding.

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Essay On Natural Disasters

Natural Disasters Essay

500+ words essay on natural disasters.

A natural disaster is defined as an event of nature, which overwhelms local resources and threatens the function and safety of the community. Natural disasters are the consequence of natural phenomena unleashing processes that lead to physical damage and the loss of human lives and capital. Earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, windstorms, floods and droughts are some examples of natural disasters. These disasters disrupt the lives of communities and individuals and the economic activity of the affected area. Students must go through this essay on Natural Disaster and gather ideas to write effective essays on topics related to them. Practising essays on such topics will improve the writing skills of the students and help them score better in the English exam.

Classification of Natural Disasters

Natural disasters result from forces of climate and geology. These are perhaps the most “unexpected” and costly overall in terms of loss of human lives and resources.

Disasters are classified into four categories depending on how they arise:

(1) Internal Earth Processes: It covers geophysical phenomena arising from the internal processes of the earth. It includes earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions etc., which human beings cannot usually predict or prevent.

(2) External Earth Processes: These comprise phenomena such as landslides, collapses, flooding, mudslides etc. These hazards can be avoided and are often associated with man-made alterations in the environment, such as deforestation on hillsides or excavations and many more such activities.

(3) Hydrometeorological Hazards: It is associated with changes in air and ocean temperature. This hazard is responsible for the formation of weather phenomena such as hurricanes and tornadoes, and the precipitation and climate variations that sometimes cause extreme flooding, storm surges, droughts and other hydrological phenomena.

(4) Biological Hazards: Biological disasters result from the proliferation of agents such as bacteria, viruses and toxins that can kill or disable people, harm animals, and crops and damage the environment. Some examples of biological hazards are cholera, dengue, yellow fever, Ebola virus and Marburg virus. The current pandemic situation due to Coronavirus is also an example of biological hazards.

Disaster Management

Disasters have massive human and economic costs. They may cause many deaths, severe injuries, and food shortages. Most incidents of severe injuries and deaths occur during the time of impact, whereas disease outbreaks and food shortages often arise much later, depending on the nature and duration of the disaster. Anticipating the potential consequences of disasters can help determine the actions that need to be started before the disaster strikes to minimize its effects.

Disasters are the ultimate test of a community’s emergency response capability. There are 3 major steps that can be taken to manage disaster which include pre-disaster management, during-disaster management and post-disaster management. The pre-disaster management involves generating data and information about the disasters, preparing vulnerability zoning maps and spreading awareness among the people about these. Apart from these, disaster planning, preparedness and preventive measures are other steps that need to be taken in vulnerable areas.

During disasters, rescue and relief operations such as evacuation, construction of shelters and relief camps, supplying of water, food, clothing and medical aids etc. should be done on an emergency basis. Post-disaster operations involve rehabilitation and recovery of victims. It should concentrate on capacity building in order to cope with future disasters, if any. These measures have special significance to India as about two-thirds of its geographical area and an equal proportion of its population are vulnerable to disasters. The Government of India has also taken some steps for disaster management such as passing the disaster management bill and the establishment of the National Institute of Disaster Management.

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Frequently Asked Questions on Natural disasters Essay

What are the types of natural disasters.

Floods/tsunamis, wildfires, drought, hurricane/storms and earthquakes are examples for common natural disasters.

How can we control the impact of a natural disaster?

Impact of natural disasters can be mitigated to an extent by creating awareness among the public about counter measures to be taken. Governments could use disaster prediction technology and install warning systems to alert people about impending disasters. Implementing and enforcing building codes is another measure to reduce the after-effects of disasters.

How do natural disasters affect the environment?

Wildfires, floods, and tornadoes cause structural changes to our ecosystem and also damage the natural inhabitation of that area.

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Effects of Natural Disasters Essay

Introduction, effects of natural disasters on natural resources, effects of natural disasters on physical infrastructure, impacts of natural disasters on population, economic effects of natural disasters, effects of natural disasters on human labor and technology, effects of hurricane katrina to the u.s economy, reference list.

Natural disasters range from climatic cataclysms such as droughts, floods, hurricanes and tornadoes to geological catastrophes like earthquakes, volcanoes and tsunamis. Their consequences are both short-term and long-term and lead to either negative or positive consequences on the economy of a country. This effects of natural disasters essay will examine each outcome of such tragedies.

Generally, natural disasters affect the physical infrastructural facilities and lead to a lack of agricultural productivity. They tend to cause the loss of life and damage to property. Various factors influence the effects of natural disasters on a country. Among them are the magnitude of the disaster, the geography of the area affected and recovery efforts directed towards reducing the immediate consequences. Failure to mitigate the short-term economic issues impacts the long-term economic growth of a country.

It can be crucial to understand both causes and effects of natural disasters. This essay, however, will focus on the negative consequences that follow such tragedies.

The effects of natural disasters on natural resources can be both negative and positive. Natural disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes dislodge trees causing a reduction in forest cover. Hurricanes and floods also wash away the fertile top soil reducing soil fertility that negatively affects agricultural productivity (Popp 2003, 63). Disasters also lead to the destruction of agricultural resources notably crops and livestock.

Natural disasters such as droughts and floods affect crop and livestock farming thus reducing agricultural production (Bradford & Carmichael, 2006: 56). This phenomenon results to “high food prices products, which in turn affect the economic stability of a region or country” (Maharatna, 1999: 54). Natural disasters also lead to the destruction of wildlife and natural phenomena thus affecting tourism; for instance, storms such as the Tenerife storm in 2005 destroyed ‘El Dedo de Dios’ an important tourist attraction thus affecting tourism

Natural disasters can also cause beneficial effects to a country’s economy. Rich fertile alluvial soils deposited on flood plains are ideal for faming of crops. Additionally, Abbott posits that “Disasters such as volcanic eruptions emit volcanic ash that forms fertile volcanic soils ideal for agriculture” (2004: 342). Volcanic eruptions also lead to the formation of craters that are important tourist attraction.

Natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods destroy infrastructural facilities such as roads and airports affecting transportation and economic growth. As Temple says, physical infrastructural facilities are important in stimulation of economic growth of any country (1999: 139).

However, natural disasters destroy these structures and thus negatively affect economic growth of a country. Critical infrastructure such as transportation and communication, health systems and energy supply are affected by natural infrastructure (Parfomak, 2005:14). However, efforts geared towards reconstruction and rebuilding of physical infrastructural facilities can help promote return to normalcy.

Natural disasters have negative effects on population growth of a country. Many lives are lost during natural catastrophes such as tsunamis and floods which reduces the population of a region or a country; a good example is the Japan tragedy which saw thousands of lives lost.

Additionally, Cain laments that the prospects of “a natural disaster occurring causes fear which leads to a decline in birth rate of f the population” (1983: 698). Destruction of natural resources affects the economy leading to low per capita income among the citizens, which in turn influences the fertility rate of a population (Lee, 1985: 635). Low fertility rate contributes to a decline in population growth.

Natural disasters negatively affect important sectors of a country’s economy. Natural disasters affect a country’s energy production stations including oil refineries and nuclear plants leads energy crisis, which results to high oil prices (Noy, 2009: 13).

According to the Congressional Research Service report, “Hurricane Katrina affected oil refineries and pipelines in the U.S. Gulf coast leading to higher oil prices nationally and internationally” (Cashell & Labonte, 2005: 16 ). This led to slower economic growth of the regions hit by the hurricane. Japan is still battling to prevent a nuclear disaster following the recent earthquake and tsunami that rocked the country recently.

Natural disasters also lead to reduced domestic and international trade, which negatively affect the economy. Moreover, natural disasters affect ports and transportation, which lead to reduction of the amount of imports and exports thus affecting trade. Additionally, natural disasters can bring beneficial effects to the economy of a region.

Skidmore and Toya highlight that, natural disasters precede “intensive construction and building activities to bring about recovery” (2002, 148). The locals and the businesses operating in a region affected by the natural disaster are employed in these recovery activities. However, the destruction of property and infrastructure by natural disasters often result to massive unemployment rates.

Skilled human labor is an important element in achieving economic development in any country. Natural disasters like floods and volcanoes cause death and loss of life thereby reducing the human capital of a region and as Skoufas notes, natural disasters also affect training of human capital through the disruption of schools and damage to training facilities (2003: 99).

Damage to property and unemployment lead to reduced family income, which affect education of especially the young people leading to majority of students to drop out of school. Natural disasters adversely affect technological developments of a country. However, natural disasters can stimulate technological innovations to withstand future disasters such as earthquakes. Technological innovations promote economic growth of a country.

Hurricane Katrina caused damage to many residential property and affected “physical infrastructure like roads and bridges in many states especially Louisiana and Mississippi” (Black & Veatch, 2006: 4). Wastewater disposal systems were affected especially in New Orleans due to damage caused on pipes.

It also affected water supply, electricity and essential healthcare delivery to the affected regions. Transportation of oil products and gas back and forth these regions were affected (Rahman, 2005: 114). The hurricane Katrina affected economy of the states hit by the disaster and the national economy. The U.S. national economic growth declined up to 1.0% because of the effects of the hurricane in these states. However, rebuilding activities will enhance economic growth.

The hurricane disaster affected the energy production centers including the oil refineries in Louisiana. The daily output of these refineries reduced because of the effects of the hurricane leading to a rise in oil and gas prices in the country.

The effects to the ports and oil pipes also contributed to energy crisis experienced during the same period. Due to the destruction of property and industrial facilities by the hurricane, high unemployment rates occurred in these states (Liu, Matt, & Mabanta, 2006: 123). Recovery efforts involve rebuilding the industrial and physical infrastructure and facilities such as schools.

The effects of natural disasters are both short-term including loss of life and damage to property and long-term affecting the economic stability of a region or a country. Damage to infrastructure and energy production centers lead to adverse effects on a country’s economic development. Recovery efforts involving construction and rebuilding of facilities help reverse the effects of disasters and provide employment to the affected people. Other natural disasters such as floods bring beneficial products as sectors such as agriculture improve.

Abbott, P, Natural Disasters . McGraw, New York, 2004.

Black, R & S Veatch, ‘Assessment of Reconstruction Costs and Debt Management for Wastewater Utilities Affected by Hurricane Katrina’, Water Environment Federation , 2006.

Bradford, M & R Carmichael, Natural disasters. Salem Press, Pasadena, 2001.

Cain, M, ‘Fertility as an adjustment to risk’, Population and Development Review , vol. 9, No. 4, 1983, pp. 680- 689.

Cashell, B & M Labonte, ‘The Macroeconomic Effects of Hurricane Katrina’, CRS Report for Congress , 2005.

Lee, R, ‘Population homeostasis and English demographic history’, Journal of Interdisciplinary History , vol.15, no. 4, 1985, pp. 635-660.

Liu, A, et al, ‘Special Edition of the Katrina Index: A One Year Review of Key Indicators Of Recovery in Post Storm New Orleans’, The Brookings Institution , 2006.

Maharatna, A, The demography of famines . Oxford University Press, Oxford, 1999.

Noy, I, ‘The macroeconomic consequences of disasters’, Journal of Development Economics , vol. 88, no. 2, 2009, pp. 10-21.

Parfomak, W, ‘Vulnerability of Concentrated Critical Infrastructure: Background And Policy Options’, CRS Report for Congress , 2005.

Popp, A, The effects of natural disasters on long run growth , 2003. Web.

Rahman, S, ‘Impact of Natural Disasters on Critical Infrastructures’ The 1st Bangladesh Earthquake Symposium , 2005

Skidmore, M & H Toya, ‘Do Disasters Promote Long-Run Growth?’ Economic Inquiry , vol. 40, no. 16, 2002, pp.142.

Skoufas, E, ‘Economic Crises and Natural Disasters: Coping Strategies and Policy Implications’, World Development , vol.31, no. 4, 2003, pp. 78-103.

Temple, J, ‘The New Growth Evidence’, Journal of Economic Literature , vol. 37, no. 9, 1999, pp. 112-156.

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Displacement, Natural Disasters, and Human Rights

Subscribe to this week in foreign policy, elizabeth ferris elizabeth ferris former brookings expert, research professor, institute for the study of international migration - georgetown university @beth_ferris.

October 17, 2008

24 min read

In the course of the past year, over 400 natural disasters took 16,000 lives, affected close to 250 million people and displaced many millions. But many humanitarian actors continue to see natural disasters and those displaced by them as marginal to the central thrust of humanitarian action: responding to those affected by conflict.

From the beginning, those involved in drafting the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement saw the need to recognize natural disasters as a principal cause of displacement and to ensure that the rights of those displaced by floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes were upheld. In this presentation, I would like to focus on:

similarities and differences between those internally displaced by conflict and by natural disasters
the international community’s response to natural disaster-induced displacement, with a particular focus on the Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters
the potential impact of climate change on displacement

Disaster-induced and conflict-induced displacement

Those displaced, for whatever reasons, have certain characteristics in common. Let me begin by noting three of these similarities.

First, the human experiences of those displaced by natural disasters and conflicts are very similar. People displaced, for example, by both flooding and by fighting often lose family members, endure family separation, lose their possessions, and experience trauma and depression. They have similar protection and assistance needs. They lose important documents which limits their access to public services. [1] They lose property and it may take years (if ever) before they receive compensation for their loss. In both conflicts and natural disasters, vulnerable groups suffer more. For example, globally, for every one adult male who drowns in a flood, there are 3-4 women who die. [2] Sexual abuse and rape of women is often a tool of war while gender-based violence is unfortunately common among women displaced by both natural disasters and conflict. Children displaced by both natural disasters and conflicts are often more susceptible to recruitment by armed forces. Vulnerable groups also frequently experience discrimination in the provision of assistance. In many camps where persons displaced by conflict live, food is — at least initially — more likely to go to healthy and strong men than to children or the disabled. And in New Orleans, the elderly, the immigrants and African-American communities suffered the effects of Hurricane Katrina disproportionately. [3]

The problems that are often encountered by persons affected by the consequences of natural disasters include: unequal access to assistance; discrimination in aid provision; enforced relocation; sexual and gender-based violence; loss of documentation; recruitment of children into fighting forces; unsafe or involuntary return or resettlement; and issues of property restitution. [4] These are similar to the problems experienced by those displaced by conflicts.

Secondly, most people displaced by either conflicts or natural disasters remain within the borders of their country. They are internally displaced persons (IDPs) as defined in the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement and thus entitled to the full range of rights and responsibilities included therein. It is their national governments who are responsible for protecting and assisting them and with facilitating durable solutions for their displacement.

Thirdly, poverty makes things worse for both victims of natural disasters and conflict. Natural disasters in poorer countries have higher casualties than disasters of similar magnitude in wealthier countries. Similarly, there is a relationship between poverty and conflict. An analysis of state weakness in the developing world found a strong relationship between poverty and failed states which are more likely to have conflict-induced displacement. The 10 weakest states, according to economic, political security, and social welfare indicators are (in order of weakest to less weak): Somalia, Afghanistan, DRC, Iraq, Burundi, Sudan, Central African Republic, Zimbabwe, Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire [5] – all countries which have experienced major civil conflict – which has generated many displaced persons – in recent years.

There are other, less obvious similarities between those displaced by natural disasters and conflicts. The international response system to both natural disasters and conflict is fairly well-developed although in both cases, there seems to be a greater initial response to high-profile crises which diminishes as situations become protracted. The weakest point in the international system for both natural disasters and conflicts is in prevention or mitigation. In the case of natural disasters, early warning systems have been developed – although of course, more could be done. [6] But early warning systems alone are not enough. In the case of natural disasters, the international humanitarian community has come up with the Hyogo Plan of Action and the International Strategy for Disaster Risk Reduction. [7] These offer concrete suggestions for reducing the human impact of natural disasters, but are unfortunately not yet priorities for most national governments or for international donors. In the field of conflict-prevention, there are many initiatives underway – by civil society, governments, international organizations – but the lack of political will and the pesky issue of sovereignty at times create insurmountable obstacles. Human rights activists, for example, long warned that the political situation in Rwanda was explosive just as humanitarian workers warned of an upcoming famine in Ethiopia as early as 1983. Early warning without early action does not prevent displacement.

Although research is scarce, there appear to be some differences between conflict-induced and natural disaster-induced displacement – although in most cases, the differences are not absolute, but rather are differences in degree.

First, solutions may be different for those displaced by natural disasters and by conflicts. For all IDPs, the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement spell out three solutions — return to the place of origin, integration into the place of displacement, and settlement in another part of the country—and stress that IDPs should have the right to choose the solution. But in some natural disasters, IDPs do not have the option of return, e.g. Montserrat and those displaced by riverbank erosion. If predictions are correct that sea levels will rise as a result of climate change, the option of return for those displaced is likely to be difficult or non-existent. For IDPs displaced by conflict, return to the community of origin remains an option – even though it may be politically difficult and may take a long time to realize.

A second possible difference is that generally those displaced by natural disasters are likely to return home more rapidly than those displaced by conflicts. One of the few studies to systematically compare duration of displacement by its cause found in four South Asian countries that 80% of those displaced by natural disasters had been displaced for one year or less, while 57% of those displaced by armed conflict and 66% of those displaced by development projects had been displaced for more than 5 years. [8] However, this difference may also be one of degree. There are still Central Americans displaced from Hurricane Mitch in 1998 although there is no system for tracking and monitoring the extent to which they have found solutions. In both conflict- and natural disaster-induced displacement, sometimes governments simply decree that displacement has ended, as in Angola and Sierra Leone. The question of ‘when displacement ends?’ led the Inter-Agency Standing Committee to draft a Framework for Durable Solutions which is presently being field-tested. This Framework argues that the ending of displacement is a process through which the need for specialized assistance and protection diminishes. Ending displacement involves both the process by which solutions are found and the conditions of return, integration or re-settlement. [9]

A third difference – or difference in degree – is that the number of people who cross national borders because of natural disasters seems to be much lower than those displaced internally. In many cases, conflicts force people to leave not only their communities, but also their countries. Thus, it is common to have both refugees and IDPs from the same conflict, e.g. Sudanese displaced in Darfur and Sudanese refugees in neighboring Chad, Iraqi refugees in neighboring countries and Iraqi IDPs.

Those who are forced to flee their countries solely because of natural disasters are not considered to be refugees under international law. In the case of the eruption of the volcano on Montserrat in 1995, which (unusually) permanently displaced about half of the country’s inhabitants, the response to the displaced was developed by Caribbean and the UK governments. [10] In other cases where people have crossed national borders because of natural disasters, such as those fleeing the Ethiopian famine in 1984-85, the humanitarian community has responded as if they were indeed refugees. However, in most cases the cause of famine is due as much to governmental policies as to natural disasters. [11] The Representative of the Secretary-General for the Human Rights of IDPs has argued that there may be a gap in legal protection for those forced to leave their own countries because of natural disasters or longer-term environmental degradation occasioned by climate change. [12]

The argument is sometimes made that national authorities are more likely to accept international assistance for people displaced by natural disasters than for those displaced by conflicts because it is less ‘political.’ However, the recent case of Cyclone Nargis in Myanmar is evidence that acceptance of foreign assistance is far from a certain proposition. And three years ago, in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina the US government was unwilling – or unable – to accept immediate offers of assistance. [13]

In conflict situations, multinational forces have been used in a number of situations, such as Bosnia, Afghanistan and Iraq to protect the delivery of humanitarian relief. [14] But their presence is often controversial as many humanitarian actors feel that the involvement of military forces contradicts humanitarian principles of neutrality and independence. [15]

But there is a perception that the military is more generally accepted in natural disasters than in conflict. [16] However, as Kälin pointed out with respect to tsunami-affected countries:

While it is often the case that the military is the national institution most equipped with the logistics, personnel and supplies to undertake initial rescue and humanitarian response to large disasters, ongoing military control of aid and of camps can also endanger beneficiaries, because it can heighten the IDPs’ vulnerability to sexual exploitation and abuse as well as children’s military recruitment, and dampen displaced persons’ ability to control decisions affecting their lives. This risk is especially high in situations of internal armed conflict, where the proximity of the military can render the camps a military target for no-state armed groups. [17]

Human Rights and Natural Disasters

In the aftermath of the 2004 tsunami, there was recognition that disaster response involves more than technical expertise and efficiency and consists of more than a delivery of humanitarian assistance. Growing recognition of the need to respect, uphold, and promote the human rights of those affected by natural disasters, whether displaced or not, was the driving force between efforts by the RSG to develop Operational Guidelines for Human Rights and Natural Disaster. These guidelines, which were formally adopted by the InterAgency Standing Committee in June 2006, are presently being used to train disaster responders on ways of ensuring that human rights are protected in the midst of disaster. [18]

The Guidelines suggest a human rights lens approach to planning both the initial emergency and longer-term response. In particular, the Guidelines are based on the fact that people do not lose their basic human rights as a result of a natural disaster or their displacement. Rather all of those affected by natural disasters, including those who are displaced, are entitled to the protection of all relevant human rights guarantees. As residents, and usually citizens of the country in which they are living, they are entitled to the protections afforded to all residents and citizens even though they may have particular needs related to the disaster and thus require specific assistance and protection measures.

As with all situations of internal displacement, t he primary duty and responsibility to provide such protection and assistance lies with the national authorities of the affected countries. Those affected by natural disasters have the right to request and receive such protection and assistance from their governments.

The Operational Guidelines stress that human rights encompass not only civil and political rights but also economic, social and cultural rights. However, in the midst of a disaster, it is often difficult to simultaneously promote all rights for all of those affected. Thus for practical reasons, the Operational Guidelines divide human rights into four groups, namely:

(A) rights related to physical security and integrity (e.g. protection of the right to life and the right to be free of assault, rape, arbitrary detention, kidnapping, and threats to these rights);

(B) rights related to basic necessities of life (e.g. the rights to food, drinking water, shelter, adequate clothing, adequate health services, and sanitation);

(C) rights related to other economic, social and cultural protection needs (e.g. the rights to be provided with or have access to education, to receive restitution or compensation for lost property, and to work); and

(D) rights related to other civil and political protection needs (e.g. the rights

to religious freedom and freedom of speech, personal documentation, political participation, access to courts, and freedom from discrimination).

The Operational Guidelines suggest that the first two groups of rights may be the most relevant during the emergency, life-saving phase. Thus in the initial disaster response, it is usually more important to ensure adequate access to water than to provide replacement identity cards to those displaced. However, the guidelines insist that only the full respect of all four groups of rights can ensure adequate protection of the human rights of those affected by natural disasters, including of those who are displaced. [19]

The guidelines go on to state that “in all cases States have an obligation to respect, protect and to fulfill the human rights of their citizens and of any other persons in their territory or under their jurisdiction.” [20] States thus have a responsibility: to prevent violations of these rights from occurring or re-occurring; to stop them when they do occur, and to ensure reparation and full rehabilitation if a violation has happened.

When governments are unwilling or unable to fulfill these responsibilities, the international community needs to support and supplement the efforts of the government and local authorities. And these organizations as well – UN agencies, international and national non-governmental organizations, civil society, and IDP communities themselves – have a responsibility to ensure that their approaches and programs incorporate a human rights focus.

In fact, most often, rights are violated not because of conscious intention but because of the lack of awareness or planning based on a rights-based approach. Thus in the United States, the evacuation plans for New Orleans in 2005 were based on private vehicles – even though there were racial and class differences in vehicle ownership. While most middle class white people had access to private cars, many poor and African-American residents did not. [21] More recently, in the evacuation of New Orleans prior to Hurricane Gustav in August 2008, it was clear that officials had still not heeded the lessons learned from Katrina. While evacuation plans provided bus transportation for those without cars, displaced New Orleans residents were taken to large communal shelters while those who evacuated by car were directed to churches, private homes and hotels. [22]

Experience has shown while patterns of discrimination emerge during the initial emergency response phase, the longer that displacement lasts, the greater the risk of human rights violations.

The Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement developed a manual on the Operational Guidelines to provide more concrete guidance to disaster responders and is currently being revised in light of experiences in the field. Presently both Brookings and the Protection Cluster Working Group are organizing training sessions for government officials responsible for disaster response as well as non-governmental organizations. Such training is necessary in order to ensure that a rights-based approach to disaster response is incorporated into all phases of operations.

Climate change

Walter Kälin has summarized the negative impacts of climate change on displacement as follows:

According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, rising sea levels in addition to a higher frequency of storms and floods will impact on tens of millions of people, in particular in coastal areas and on islands. Water availability will be reduced in certain areas, especially the Mediterranean and Middle East, Southern Africa and Latin America, exposing hundreds of millions of people to water stress. Crop yields will be reduced in certain parts of Africa, increasing the likelihood of additional millions of people at risk of hunger. Overall, the areas most affected by climate change will be Africa, the Asian mega deltas and small islands. [23]

Climate change in itself does not directly displace people. Rather climate change may produce environmental effects which make it difficult for people to survive where they are. While there are considerable differences of opinion about the impact of climate change on displacement, there does seem to be a consensus around two particular aspects of climate change which are expected to increase displacement. [24]

First, the number and severity of sudden-onset natural disaster, particularly hydrometeorological events, is increasing which in turn displace people. As Margareta

Wahlström has pointed out, “over the past 30 years, disasters – storms, floods and droughts –have increased threefold according to the UN International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (ISDR).” [25]

A second trend which is generally accepted is that global warming will cause an increase in sea levels which in turn will displace people. The most recent IPCC report projects temperatures to increase by between 1.8 degrees C and 4 degrees C, resulting in sea levels rising by between .2 and .6 meters by 2100, with a greater rise a possibility. According to a World Bank study, sea levels rising a single meter would displace 56 million people in 84 developing countries. [26]

Further, if rising temperature trends continue, widespread deglaciation of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets would occur over an extended period of time. The complete melting of the Greenland ice sheet would raise sea levels 7 meters; the melting of the West Antarctic sheet would raise levels another 5 meters, drastically impacting the earth’s population centers. [27] While this projection comes from the IPCC, other scholars raise even more alarming scenarios and projections. A recent report by the International Peace Academy, for example, argues that in the worst-case scenario, the breakoff of the west Antarctic and Greenland ice sheets would raise sea levels by 15 meters. If the more stable east Antarctic ice sheet melts, sea levels could rise by 60 meters. [28]

Countries most affected by rising sea levels are small island states, such as the Pacific islands, and countries with low-lying coastal areas. A recent study by Sugata Hazra found that during the last 30 years, roughly 80 square kilometers of the Sundarban islands in India have disappeared, displacing more than 600 families and submerging two islands. The Sundarban islands are among the world’s largest collection of river delta islands populated by 4 million people on the Indian side of the border. While there is a natural process of islands shifting size and shape, the study concludes that there is little doubt that human-induced climate change has made them particularly vulnerable. [29] The small island country of Tuvalu has reportedly reached an agreement with the government of New Zealand that its citizens can resettle in New Zealand in the event that rising sea levels make continued residence on Tuvalu impossible. [30]

A third area where climate change is expected to result in increased displacement is the area of so-called slow-onset disaster in which climate change has specific long-term environmental effects over time such as desertification and other changes in weather patterns, which means that people’s livelihoods are no longer sustainable and they are forced to migrate to other places.

This is the most complicated relationship and one where further reflection and analysis are needed. The relationship between environmental change, poverty, population growth and displacement is a complex one. People make decisions over time to leave their communities for a complex interplay of reasons and, it is difficult – actually so far, impossible — to single out the impact of the environmental effects of climate change on these decisions.

It seems indisputable that climate change will produce environmental changes which make it difficult or impossible for people to sustain their livelihoods. Traditionally, people who have left their communities because they are poor or in search of other livelihoods are considered to be migrants: internal migrants for those who remain within the borders of their own country and international migrants for those who travel to other countries. Weather patterns clearly play a role in contributing to poverty, but are certainly not the only factor.

In fact, the interconnections between poverty and the environment need much more analysis. As Longeran argues, generalizations about the relationship between environmental degradation and population movement mask a great deal of the complexity which characterizes migration decision-making. Moreover, it is extremely difficult to isolate the specific contribution of environmental change in many forms of population movements. [31] McDowell and Morell argue that many situations commonly considered as environmental displacement should more accurately be considered as the impact of development. [32]

The key factor in slow-onset disasters seems to be their impact on livelihoods; most commonly drought makes it impossible for farmers to support their families. They have to move elsewhere, the argument goes, because they can no longer survive at home. Moreover, because this is due to forces beyond their control – climate change – they should be treated differently than migrants. But economic migrants have always moved for exactly the same reason: they can no longer survive at home because their livelihoods have disappeared. Many, perhaps most, of the world’s migrants are forced to move; they do not make the choice freely to leave their communities in ‘search of a better life’ — a higher income or improved access to services. Rather they leave because they cannot survive in their home communities. Plantations and export agriculture have displaced subsistence farmers. Population increases mean that sons (and they usually are sons) do not inherit sufficient land to support their families. Deforestation has meant the disappearance of habitats which used to support communities but can no longer do so. Or governments make decisions which eliminate the possibility of people to make a living in their traditional sectors; whole industries in Latin America have been effectively wiped out because of government decisions on trade and tariffs. Do people who can no longer survive because droughts are lasting longer deserve more generous treatment than those who leave because there isn’t enough land to support them, as in Burundi? Or because deforestation has increased to such a degree, as in Haiti, that whole areas of the country can no longer support farming communities? Most of the irregular migrants traveling by boat to European shores do so because they do not have livelihoods or possibilities of jobs back home. There is a danger of privileging those leaving because of environmental changes due to climate change over those leaving because of environmental changes caused by poverty and poor governance.

Concluding thoughts

As the InterAgency Standing Committee emphasized in adopting the Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters, it is essential to consider the human rights of those displaced by natural disasters in developing effective humanitarian response. Presently a wide range of actors is involved in disaster response, including governments of affected countries, local/national civil society organizations, UN agencies and international NGOs, donor governments and those who are directly affected by the disasters.

Although there is growing recognition that those affected by natural disasters are in need of protection, considerable work is needed before this recognition is reflected on the ground. For example, training on the Operational Guidelines should be incorporated into existing training programs of UN agencies and NGOs to ensure that they are mainstreamed into on-going programs. With the implementation of the cluster approach to humanitarian response, a lead agency should be designated to ensure the protection of those affected by natural disasters. The UN resident representative or humanitarian coordinator is to consult with UNHCR, UNICEF and OHCHR to determine which agency is best placed in a particular situation to take on the responsibilities for protection. But agencies are concerned about their capacities to take on additional responsibilities and about a consequent weakening of their traditional mandates. [33]

While there is growing recognition of the need for a rights-based approach to natural disasters, institutions at all levels must change in order to ensure that those who are affected by earthquakes and floods are protected as well as fed.

[1] Walter Kälin, for example, found that 70% of the tsunami-affected population in one country had lost their documentation. Protection of Internally Displaced Persons in Situations of Natural Disasters: A Working Visit to Asia by the Representative of the Secretary-General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons Walter Kälin, 27 February-5 March 2005. Washington: Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, 2005, p. 20.

[2] Lorena Aguilar, “Acknowledging the Linkages: Gender and Climate Change,” Presentation at the World Bank’s Workshop on Social Dimensions of Climate Change, March 2008. http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTSOCIALDEVELOPMENT/Resources/244362-1170428243464/3408356-1170428261889/3408359-1202746084138/Gender_Presentation022808.pdf

[3] Chris Kromm and Sue Sturgis, Hurricane Katrina and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement , Durham, NC: Institute for Southern Studies, January 2008.

[4] IASC Operational Guidelines on Human Rights and Natural Disasters , Washington: Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, June 2006, p. 8.

[5] Susan E. Rice and Stewart Patrick Index of State Weakness in the Developing World, Washington, DC: Brookings Institution, 2008, p. 10.

[6] See for example: IASC’s Humanitarian Early Warning Service which was developed by the World Food Program http://www.hewsweb.org/home_page/default.asp

[7] See www.unisdr.org for related materials.

[8] Calcutta Research Group, Voices of the Internally Displaced in South Asia , Kolkata: CRG, 2006, p. 121.

[9] Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement and Georgetown University, When Displacement Ends: A Framework for Durable Solutions. June 2007

[10] http://www.paho.org/english/HIA1998/Montserrat.pdf

[11] See the classic work by Amartya Sen, Poverty and Famines: An Essay on Entitlement and Deprivation , Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1983.

[12] Walter Kälin, “Displacement Caused by the Effects of Climate Change: Who will be affected and what are the gaps in the normative frameworks for their protection?” Background Paper submitted by the Representative of the Secretary General on the Human Rights of Internally Displaced Persons, Oslo, Norway, October 2008.

[13] See Anne Richard, Role Reversal: Offers of Help from other Countries in response to Hurricane Katrina, Washington: Center for TransAtlantic Relations, 2006.

[14] Richard F. Grimmett, “Instances of Use of United States Armed Forces Abroad: 1798-2006.” CRS Report for Congress, Updated 8 January, 2007. http://www.maxwell.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/crs/rl30172.pdf ; Tim Morris, “Civil-Military Relations in Afghanistan.” FRM 13, June 2002, http://www.ipb.org/disarmdevelop/militarisation%20of%20aid/Civil-Military%20Relations%20in%20Afghanistan%20with%20Recommendations.pdf ; Taylor B. Seybolt, Humanitarian Military Intervention: The Conditions for Success and Failure, Oxford; New York: Oxford University Press, 2007.

[15] See, for example, the guidelines developed by InterAction and the US Institute for Peace on civil-military relations in humanitarian operations. http://www.usip.org/pubs/guidelines.html

[16] See for example, Sharon Wiharta, Hassan Ahmad, Jean-Yves Haine, Josefina Löfgren and T im Randall, The Effectiveness of Foreign Military Assets in Natural Disaster Response , Stockholm: Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, 2008.

[17] Kälin, op cit., p. 17.

[18] IASC, Operational Guidelines, op.cit. .

[19] IASC, Operational Guidelines, op.cit. pg. 7.

[20] IASC, Operational Guidelines, op.cit. pg. 9

[21] Chris Kromm and Sue Sturgis, “Hurricane Katrina and the Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement”, Institute for Southern Studies, January, 2008. pg. 13 http://www.southernstudies.org/ISSKatrinaHumanRightsJan08.pdf

[22] “Never Again, Again”, New York Times, September 20, 2008. http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/21/opinion/21sun2.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

[23] Walter Kälin, “The Climate Change- Displacement Nexus”, Brookings-Bern Project on Internal Displacement, July 16, 2008. https://www.brookings.edu/speeches/2008/0716_climate_change_kalin.aspx

[24] Human tide: the real migration crisis ; Christian Aid report, May 2007, p. 5. Accessed online November 26, 2007;

http://www.christianaid.org.uk/Images/human_tide3__tcm15-23335.pdf

Nicholas Stern, The Economics of Climate Change , London: HM Treasury, January, 2007.

[25] Margareta Wahlström, “the Humanitarian Impact of Climate Change,” UN Chronicle Online Edition , www.un.org/Pubs/chronicle/2007/issue2/0207p30.htm #

[26] “Climate changes and impact on coastal countries”

http://econ.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/EXTDEC/EXTRESEARCH/0,,contentMDK:21215328~pagePK:64165401~piPK:64165026~theSitePK:469382,00.html

[27] Summary for Policymakers, Contribution of Working Group II to the Fourth Assessment Report of the

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Fourth Assessment, April 2007, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK, p. 17. Accessed online, 13 November 2007. http://www.ipcc-wg2.org/index.html

[28] Nils Peter Gleditsch, Ragnhild Nordas, and Idean Salehyan, “Climate Change and conflict: the Migration Link,” International Peace Academy, Coping with Crisis Working Paper, May 2007, pp. 8-9.

[29] Somini Sengupta, “Living on the edge: Indians watch their islands wash away,” International Herald Tribune, 10 April 2007. www.iht.com/articles/2007/04/10/asia/india.php.

[30] Alex Kirby, “Pacific Islanders Flee Rising Seas”, BBC News, 9 October, 2001. http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/1581457.stm

[31] Lonergam, op cit., 1998, pp. 11-12. Note the contrast with Norman Myers who states “But those people who migrate because they suffer outright poverty are frequently driven also by root factors of environmental destitution. It is their environmental plight as much as any other factor that makes them economically impoverished.” 2005, op cit.,p. 2.

[32] Christopher McDowell and Gareth Morrell, Non-conflict displacement: a thematic literature and organizational review , prepared for IDMC, 10 August 2007.

[33] See Roberta Cohen, “For Disaster IDPs: an institutional gap” 13 October 2008 https://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2008/0808_natural_disasters_cohen.aspx

Foreign Policy

Central America Latin America & the Caribbean South Asia Southeast Asia

Sarah Bermeo, David Leblang, Gabriela Nagle Alverio

April 4, 2022

Sarah Bermeo

November 19, 2021

Sarah Bermeo, David Leblang

April 1, 2021

Natural Disasters

Where and from which disasters do people die? What can we do to prevent deaths from natural disasters?

By Hannah Ritchie and Pablo Rosado

This page was first published in December 2022 and last revised in January 2024.

Natural disasters – from earthquakes and floods to storms and droughts – affect millions of people every year. However, we are not defenseless against them, and the global death toll, especially from droughts and floods, has been reduced.

While natural disasters account for a small fraction of all deaths globally , they can have a large impact, especially on vulnerable populations in low-to-middle-income countries with insufficient infrastructure to protect and respond effectively. Understanding the frequency, intensity, and impact of natural disasters is crucial if we want to be better prepared and protect people’s lives and livelihoods.

On this page, you will find our complete collection of data, charts, and research on natural disasters and their human and economic costs.

See all charts on Natural Disasters ↓

Other research and writing on Natural Disasters on Our World in Data:

Not all deaths are equal: How many deaths make a natural disaster newsworthy?

Natural disasters data explorer

Natural disasters kill tens of thousands each year.

The number of deaths from natural disasters can be highly variable from year to year; some years pass with very few deaths before a large disaster event claims many lives. On average, over the past couple of decades, natural disasters have annually resulted in the deaths of tens of thousands of individuals worldwide.

In the visualizations shown here, we see the annual variability in the number and share of deaths from natural disasters in recent decades.

What we see is that in many years, the number of deaths can be very low – often less than 10,000, and accounting for as low as 0.01% of total deaths. But we also see the devastating impact of shock events: the 1983-85 famine and drought in Ethiopia; the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami ; Cyclone Nargis which struck Myanmar in 2008; and the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake which resulted in approximately 70% of all deaths that year in Haiti. All of these events pushed global disaster deaths to over 200,000 – more than 0.4% of deaths in these years.

Low-frequency, high-impact events such as earthquakes and tsunamis are not preventable, but such high losses of human life are. We know from historical data that the world has seen a significant reduction in disaster deaths through earlier prediction, more resilient infrastructure, emergency preparedness, and response systems. Those at low incomes are often the most vulnerable to disaster events: improving living standards, infrastructure, and response systems in these regions will be key to preventing deaths from natural disasters in the coming decades.

Number of deaths from natural disasters

Annual deaths from natural disasters.

In the visualization shown here, we see the long-term global trend in natural disaster deaths. This shows the estimated annual number of deaths from disasters from 1900 onwards from the EM-DAT International Disaster Database . 1

What we see is that in the early-to-mid 20th century, the annual death toll from disasters was high, often reaching over one million per year. In recent decades we have seen a substantial decline in deaths. Even in peak years with high-impact events, the death toll has not exceeded 500,000 since the mid-1960s.

This decline is even more impressive when we consider the rate of population growth over this period. When we correct for population – showing this data in terms of death rates (measured per 100,000 people) – we see an even greater decline over the past century. This chart can be viewed here .

The annual number of deaths from natural disasters is also available by country since 1990. This can be explored in the interactive map.

Average number of deaths by decade

In the chart, we show global deaths from natural disasters since 1900, but rather than reporting annual deaths, we show the annual average by decade.

As we see, over the course of the 20th century there was a significant decline in global deaths from natural disasters. In the early 1900s, the annual average was often in the range of 400,000 to 500,000 deaths. In the second half of the century and into the early 2000s, we have seen a significant decline to less than 100,000 – at least five times lower than these peaks. This decline is even more impressive when we consider the rate of population growth over this period. When we correct for population – showing this data in terms of death rates (measured per 100,000 people) – then we see a more than 10-fold decline over the past century. This chart can be viewed here .

Number of deaths by type of natural disaster

With almost minute-by-minute updates on what’s happening in the world, we are constantly reminded of the latest disaster. These stories are, of course, important but they do not give us a sense of how the toll of disasters has changed over time.

For most of us, it is hard to know whether any given year was a particularly deadly one in the context of previous years.

To understand the devastating toll of disasters today, and in the past, we have built a Natural Disasters Data Explorer which provides estimates of fatalities, displacement, and economic damage for every country since 1900. This is based on data sourced from EM-DAT; a project that undertakes the important work of building these incredibly detailed histories of disasters. 2

In this visualization, I give a sense of how the global picture has evolved over the last century. It shows the estimated annual death toll – from all disasters at the top, followed by a breakdown by type. The size of the bubble represents the total death toll for that year.

I’ve labeled most of the years with the largest death tolls. This usually provokes the follow-up question: “Why? What event happened?”. So I’ve also noted large-scale events that contributed to the majority – but not necessarily all – of the deaths in that year.

For example, the estimated global death toll from storms in 2008 was approximately 141,000. 138,366 of these deaths occurred in Cyclone Margis, which struck Myanmar and is labeled on the chart.

What we see is that in the 20th century, it was common to have years where the death toll was in the millions. This was usually the result of major droughts or floods. Often these would lead to famines. We look at the long history of famines here .

Improved food security, resilience to other disasters, and better national and international responses mean that the world has not experienced death tolls of this scale in many decades. Famines today are usually driven by civil war and political unrest.

In most years, the death toll from disasters is now in the range of 10,000 to 20,000 people. In the most fatal years – which tend to be those with major earthquakes or cyclones – this can reach tens to hundreds of thousands.

This trend does not mean that disasters have become less frequent, or less intense. It means the world today is much better at preventing deaths from disasters than in the past. This will become increasingly important in our response and adaptation to climate change .

Injuries and displacement from disasters

Human impacts from natural disasters are not fully captured in mortality rates. Injury, homelessness, and displacement can all have a significant impact on populations.

The visualization below shows the number of people displaced internally (i.e. within a given country) from natural disasters. Note that these figures report on the basis of new cases of displaced persons: if someone is forced to flee their home from natural disasters more than once in any given year, they will be recorded only once within these statistics.

Interactive charts on the following global impacts are available using the links below:

Injuries : The number of people injured is defined as "People suffering from physical injuries, trauma, or an illness requiring immediate medical assistance as a direct result of a disaster."
Homelessness : The number of people homeless is defined as the "Number of people whose house is destroyed or heavily damaged and therefore need shelter after an event."
Requiring assistance : The number of people requiring assistance is defined as "People requiring immediate assistance during a period of emergency, i.e. requiring basic survival needs such as food, water, shelter, sanitation, and immediate medical assistance."
Total number affected : The total number of people affected is defined as "the sum of the injured, affected, and left homeless after a disaster."

Natural disasters by type

Earthquakes, earthquake events.

Earthquake events occur across the world every day. The US Geological Survey (USGS) tracks and reports global earthquakes, with (close to) real-time updates which you can find here .

However, the earthquakes that occur most frequently are often too small to cause significant damage (whether to human life or in economic terms).

In the chart below we show the long history of known earthquakes classified by the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) of the NOAA as 'significant' earthquakes. Significant earthquakes are those which are large enough to cause notable damage. They must meet at least one of the following criteria: caused deaths, moderate damage ($1 million or more), a magnitude 7.5 or greater, Modified Mercalli Intensity (MMI) X or greater, or generated a tsunami.

Available data — which you can explore in the chart below — extends back to 2150 BC. But we should be aware that the most recent records will be much more complete than our long-run historical estimates. An increase in the number of recorded earthquakes doesn't necessarily mean this was the true trend over time. By clicking on a country in the map below, you can view its full series of known significant earthquakes.

Deaths from earthquakes

Alongside estimates of the number of earthquake events, the National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC) of the NOAA also publishes estimates of the number of deaths over this long-term series. In the chart below we see the estimated mortality numbers extending back to 1500.

These figures can be found for specific countries using the "change country" function in the bottom-left of the chart, or by selecting the "map" on the bottom right.

At the global level, we see that earthquake deaths have been a persistent human risk through time.

What were the world's deadliest earthquakes?

The number of people dying in natural disasters is lower today than it was in the past, and the world has become more resilient.

Earthquakes, however, can still claim a large number of lives. Whilst historically floods, droughts, and epidemics dominated disaster deaths , a high annual death toll now often results from a major earthquake and possibly a tsunami caused by them. Since 2000, the two peak years in annual death tolls (reaching 100s of thousands) were 2004 and 2010. Both events (the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami of 2004, and the Port-au-Prince earthquake in 2010) are in the deadliest earthquake rankings below.

What have been the most deadly earthquakes in human history? In the visualization, we have mapped the top 10 rankings of known earthquakes which resulted in the largest number of deaths. 3 This ranking is based on mortality estimates from the NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center (NGDC). 4

Clicking on the visualization will open it in higher resolution. This ranking is also summarized in table form.

The most deadly earthquake in history was in Shaanxi, China in 1556. It's estimated to have killed 830,000 people. This is more than twice that of the second most fatal: the recent Port-au-Prince earthquake in Haiti in 2010. It's reported that 316,000 people died as a result. 5

Two very recent earthquakes — the Sumatra earthquake and tsunami of 2004, and the 2010 Port-au-Prince earthquake — feature amongst the most deadly in human history. But equally, some of the most fatal occurred in the very distant past. Making the top three was the earthquake in Antakya (Turkey) in the year 115. Both old and very recent features are near the top of the list. The deadly nature of earthquakes has been a persistent threat throughout our history.

Number of significant volcanic eruptions

There are a large number of volcanoes across the world that are volcanically active but display little or only very low-level activity. In the map, we see the number of significant volcanic eruptions that occur in each country in a given year. A significant eruption is classified as one that meets at least one of the following criteria: caused fatalities, caused moderate damage (approximately $1 million or more), with a Volcanic Explosivity Index of 6 or larger, caused a tsunami, or was associated with a major earthquake. 6

Estimates of volcanic eruptions are available dating back as early as 1750 BCE, however, the data completeness for long historic events will be much lower than in the recent past.

Deaths from volcanic eruptions

In the visualization, we see the number of deaths from significant volcanic eruptions across the world. Using the timeline on the map we can see the frequency of volcanic activity deaths over time. If we look at deaths over the past century we see several high-impact events: the Nevado del Ruiz eruption in Colombia in 1985; the Mount Pelée eruption in Martinique in 1902; and the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa in Indonesia.

This visualization – sourced from the NASA Socioeconomic Data And Applications Center (SEDAC) – shows the distribution of mortality risk from landslides across the world. As we would expect, the risks of landslides are much greater close to highly mountainous regions with dense neighboring populations. This makes the mortality risk highest across the Andes region in South America, and the Himalayas across Asia.

Global Landslide Mortality Risk Distribution – SEDAC (NASA)0

Famines & Droughts

We cover the history of Famines in detail in our dedicated entry here . For this research, we assembled a global dataset on famines dating back to the 1860s.

In the visualization shown here, we see trends in drought severity in the United States. Given is the annual data of drought severity, plus the 9-year average. This is measured by the Palmer Drought Severity Index: the average moisture conditions observed between 1931 and 1990 at a given location are given an index value of zero. A positive value means conditions are wetter than average, while a negative value is drier than average. A value between -2 and -3 indicates moderate drought, -3 to -4 is severe drought, and -4 or below indicates extreme drought.

Hurricanes, Tornados, and Cyclones

Long-term trends in deaths from us weather events.

Trends in the US provide some of the most complete data on impacts and deaths from weather events over time. This chart shows death rates from lightning and other weather events in the United States over time. Death rates are given as the number of deaths per million individuals. Over this period, we see that on average each has seen a significant decline in death rates. This is primarily the result of improved infrastructure and predicted and response systems to disaster events.

Intensity of North Atlantic Hurricanes

A key metric for assessing hurricane severity is their intensity and the power they carry. The visualizations here use two metrics to define this: the accumulated cyclone energy (ACE), an index that measures the activity of a cyclone season; and the power dissipation index of cyclones.

Extreme precipitation and flooding

Precipitation anomalies.

In the visualization shown, we see the global precipitation anomaly each year; trends in the US-specific anomaly can be found here .

This precipitation anomaly is measured relative to the century average from 1901 to 2000. Positive values indicate a wetter year than normal; negative values indicate a drier year.

Also shown is US-specific data on the share of land area that experiences unusually high precipitation in any given year.

Precipitation extremes

We can look at precipitation anomalies over the course of the year, however, flooding events are often caused by intense rainfall over much shorter periods. Flooding events tend to occur when there is extremely high rainfall for hours or days.

The visualization here shows the extent of extreme one-day precipitation in the US. What we see is a general upward trend in the extent of extreme rainfall in recent decades.

Extreme Temperature (Heat & Cold)

Extreme temperature risks to human health and mortality can result from exposure to extreme heat and cold.

Heatwaves and high temperatures

In the visualizations shown here, we see long-term data on heatwaves and unusually high temperatures in the United States.

Overall we see there is significant year-to-year variability in the extent of heatwave events. What stands out over the past century of data was the 1936 North American heatwave – one of the most extreme heat wave events in modern history, which coincided with the Great Depression and Dust Bowl of the 1930s.

When we look at the trajectory of unusually high summer temperatures over time (defined as 'unusually high' in the context of historical records) we see an upward trend in recent decades.

Cold temperatures

Whilst we often focus on the heatwaves and warm temperatures in relation to weather extremes, extremely low temperatures can often have a high toll on human health and mortality. In the visualization here we show trends in the share of US land area experiencing unusually low winter temperatures. In recent years there appears to have been a declining trend in the extent of the US experiencing particularly cold winters.

US Wildfires

How are the frequency and extent of wildfires in the United States changing over time?

In the charts below we provide three overviews: the number of wildfires, the total acres burned, and the average acres burned per wildfire. This data is shown from 1983 onwards when comparable data recording began.

Over the past 30-35 years we notice three general trends in the charts below (although there is significant year-to-year variability):

on average, the annual number of wildfires has not changed much;
on average, the total acres burned has increased from the 1980s and 1990s into the 21st century;
The combination of these two factors suggests that the average number of acres burned per wildfire has increased.

There has been significant media coverage of the long-run statistics of US wildfires reported by the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). The original statistics are available back to the year 1926. When we look at this long-term series it suggests there has been a significant decline in acres burned over the past century. However, the NIFC explicitly states:

Prior to 1983, sources of these figures were not known, or could not be confirmed, and were not derived from the current situation reporting process. As a result, the figures prior to 1983 should not be compared to later data.

Representatives from the NIFC have again confirmed (see the Carbon Brief's coverage here ) that these historic statistics are not comparable to those since 1983. The lack of reliable methods of measurement and reporting means some historical statistics may in fact be double or triple-counted in national statistics.

This means we cannot compare the recent data below with old, historic records. But it also doesn't confirm that acres burned today are higher than in the first half of the 20th century. Historically, fires were an often-used method of clearing land for agriculture, for example. It's not implausible to expect that wildfires of the past may have been larger than today but the available data is not reliable enough to confirm this.

Long-term trends in US lightning strikes

This chart shows the declining death rate due to lightning strikes in the US. In the first decade of the 20th century, the average annual rate of deaths was 4.5 per million people in the US. In the first 15 years of the 21st century, the death rate had declined to an average of 0.12 deaths per million. This is a 37-fold reduction in the likelihood of being killed by lightning in the US.

Lightning strikes across the world

The map here shows the distribution of lightning strikes across the world. This is given as the lightning strike density – the average number of strikes per square kilometer each year. In particular, we see the high frequency of strikes across the Equatorial regions, especially across central Africa.

World Map of Frequency of lightning strikes – Wikipedia [NASA data]0

Economic costs

Global disaster costs.

Natural disasters not only have devastating impacts in terms of the loss of human life but can also cause severe destruction with economic costs. When we look at global economic costs over time in absolute terms we tend to see rising costs. But, importantly, the world – and most countries – have also gotten richer . Global gross domestic product has increased more than four-fold since 1970. We might therefore expect that for any given disaster, the absolute economic costs could be higher than in the past.

A more appropriate metric to compare economic costs over time is to look at them in relation to GDP. This is the indicator adopted by all countries as part of the UN Sustainable Development Goals to monitor progress on resilience to disaster costs.

In the chart, we see global direct disaster losses given as a share of GDP.

Disaster costs by country

Since economic losses from disasters in relation to GDP is the indicator adopted by all countries within the UN Sustainable Development Goals, this data is also now reported for each country.

The map shows direct disaster costs for each country as a share of its GDP. Here we see large variations by country. This data can be found in absolute terms here .

Link between poverty and deaths from natural disasters

One of the major successes over the past century has been the dramatic decline in global deaths from natural disasters – this is despite the fact that the human population has increased rapidly over this period.

Behind this improvement has been the improvement in living standards; access to and development of resilient infrastructure; and effective response systems. These factors have been driven by an increase in incomes across the world.

What remains true today is that populations in low-income countries – those where a large percentage of the population still lives in extreme poverty or score low on the Human Development Index – are more vulnerable to the effects of natural disasters.

We see this effect in the visualization shown. This chart shows the death rates from natural disasters – the number of deaths per 100,000 population – of countries grouped by their socio-demographic index (SDI). SDI is a metric of development, where low SDI denotes countries with low standards of living.

What we see is that the large spikes in death rates occur almost exclusively for countries with a low or low-middle SDI. Highly developed countries are much more resilient to disaster events and therefore have a consistently low death rate from natural disasters.

Note that this does not mean low-income countries have high death tolls from disasters year-to-year: the data here shows that in most years they also have very low death rates. But when low-frequency, high-impact events do occur they are particularly vulnerable to its effects.

Overall development, poverty alleviation, and knowledge-sharing of how to increase resilience to natural disasters will therefore be key to reducing the toll of disasters in the decades to come.

Definitions & Metrics

Hurricanes, cyclones & typhoons.

There are multiple terms used to describe extreme weather events: hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, and tornadoes. What is the difference between these terms, and how are they defined?

The terms hurricane , cyclone, and typhoon all refer to the same thing; they can be used interchangeably. Hurricanes and typhoons are both described as the weather phenomenon 'tropical cyclone'. A tropical cyclone is a weather event that originates over tropical or subtropical waters and results in a rotating, organized system of clouds and thunderstorms. Its circulation patterns should be closed and low-level.

The choice of terminology is location-specific and depends on where the storm originates. The term hurricane is used to describe a tropical cyclone that originates in the North Atlantic, central North Pacific, and eastern North Pacific. When it originates in the Northwest Pacific, we call it a typhoon . In the South Pacific and Indian Ocean the general term tropical cyclone is used.

In other words, the only difference between a hurricane and a typhoon is where it occurs.

When does a storm become a hurricane?

The characteristics of a hurricane are described in detail on the NASA website .

A hurricane evolves from a tropical disturbance or storm based on a threshold of wind speed.

A tropical disturbance arises over warm ocean waters. It can grow into a tropical depression which is an area of rotating thunderstorms with winds up to 62 kilometers (38 miles) per hour. From there, a depression evolves into a tropical storm if its wind speed reaches 63 km/hr (39 mph).

Finally, a hurricane is formed when a tropical storm reaches a wind speed of 119 km/hr (74 mph).

Difference between hurricanes and tornadoes

But, hurricanes/typhoons/cyclones are distinctly different from tornadoes.

Whilst hurricanes and tornadoes have a characteristic circulatory wind pattern, they are very different weather systems. The main difference between the systems is scale (tornadoes are small-scale circulatory systems; hurricanes are large-scale). These differences are highlighted in the table below:

Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI)

The intensity or size of volcanic eruptions is most commonly defined by a metric termed the 'volcanic explosivity index (VEI)'. The VEI is derived based on the erupted mass or deposit of an eruption. The scale for VEI was outlined by Newhall & Self (1982) but is now commonly adopted in geophysical reporting. 7

The table below provides a summary (from the NOAA's National Geophysical Data Center ) of the characteristics of eruptions of different VEI values. A 'Significant Volcanic Eruption' is often defined as an eruption with a VEI value of 6 or greater. Historic eruptions that were definitely explosive, but carry no other descriptive information are assigned a default VEI of 2.

Interactive charts on natural disasters

Data quality, number of reported disaster events.

A key issue of data quality is the consistency of even reporting over time. For long-term trends in natural disaster events, we know that reporting and recording of events today is much more advanced and complete than in the past. This can lead to significant underreporting or uncertainty of events in the distant past. In the chart here we show data on the number of reported natural disasters over time.

This change over time can be influenced by several factors, namely the increased coverage of reporting over time. The increase over time is therefore not directly reflective of the actual trend in disaster events.

Number of reported disasters by type

This same data is shown here as the number of reported disaster events by type. Again, the incompleteness of historical data can lead to significant underreporting in the past. The increase over time is therefore not directly reflective of the actual trend in disaster events.

EMDAT (2019): OFDA/CRED International Disaster Database, Université Catholique de Louvain – Brussels – Belgium

EM-DAT, CRED / UCLouvain, Brussels, Belgium – www.emdat.be (D. Guha-Sapir)

Since two events are ranked equally in 8th place, a total of 11 are included.

National Geophysical Data Center / World Data Service (NGDC/WDS): Significant Earthquake Database. National Geophysical Data Center, NOAA. Available at: https://www.ngdc.noaa.gov/hazel/view/hazards/earthquake/search .

The death toll of the Haitian earthquake is still disputed. Here we present the adopted figure by the NGDC of the NOAA (for consistency with other earthquakes); this is the figure reported by the Haitian government. Some sources suggest a lower figure of 220,000. In the latter case, this event would fall to 7th place in the above rankings.

This data is sourced from the Significant Volcanic Eruption Database is a global listing of over 500 significant eruptions.

Newhall, C.G. and Self, S (1982). The volcanic explosivity index (VEI): an estimate of explosive magnitude for historical volcanism. Jour Geophys Res (Oceans & Atmospheres) , 87:1231-1238. Available at: https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1029/JC087iC02p01231 .

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Cause & Effect Essay: Natural Disasters and Their Causes

Natural disasters happen all over the world, and they can be utterly devastating for people’s lives and the environments in which they live. Although natural disasters are caused by nature and there is nothing that we can do to prevent them happening, there are many different natural causes that lead to natural disasters, and being aware of these causes enables us to be better prepared when such disasters do arrive.

One common natural disaster is flooding, which occurs when a river bursts its banks and the water spills out onto the floodplain. This is far more likely to happen when there is a great deal of heavy rain, so during very wet periods, flood warnings are often put in place. There are other risk factors for flooding too: steep-sided channels cause fast surface run-off, while a lack of vegetation or woodland to both break the flow of water and drink the water means that there is little to slow the floodwater down. Drainage basins of impermeable rock also cause the water to run faster over the surface.

Earthquakes are another common natural disaster that can cause many fatalities. The movements of the plates in the earth’s crust cause them. These plates do not always move smoothly and can get stuck, causing a build-up of pressure. It is when this pressure is released that an earthquake occurs. In turn, an earthquake under the water can also cause a tsunami, as the quake causes great waves by pushing large volumes of water to the surface.

Tsunamis can also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are another natural disaster, and they are caused by magma escaping from inside the earth. An explosion takes place, releasing the magma from a confined space, which is why there are often also huge quantities of gas and dust released during a volcanic eruption. The magma travels up the inside of the volcano, and pours out over the surrounding area as lava.

One of the most common natural disasters, but also one of the most commonly forgotten, is wildfires. These take place in many different countries all over the world, particularly during the summer months, and can be caused by a range of different things. Some of the things that can start the wildfires can be totally natural, while others can be manmade, but the speed at which they spread is entirely down to nature. The two natural causes of wildfires are the sun’s heat and lightning strikes, while they can also be caused by campfires, smoking, fireworks and many other things. The reasons that they spread so quickly are prolonged hot, dry weather, where the vegetation dries out, which is why they often take place in woodland.

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Human activity the common link between disasters around the world

Cyclone Amphan made landfall in eastern India on Wednesday afternoon local time.

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Disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts are more connected than we might think, and human activity is the common thread, a UN report released on Wednesday reveals.

The study from the UN University, the academic and research arm of the UN, looks at 10 different disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021, and finds that, even though they occurred in very different locations and do not initially appear to have much in common, they are, in fact, interconnected.

A consequence of human influence

The study builds on the ground-breaking Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change ( IPCC ) assessment released on 9 August, and based on improved data on historic heating, which showed that human influence has warmed the climate at a rate that is unprecedented in at least the last 2,000 years. António Guterres, the UN Secretary-General described the IPCC assessment as a “code red for humanity”.

Over the 2020-2021 period covered by the UN University, several record-breaking disasters took place, including the COVID-19 pandemic, a cold wave which crippled the US state of Texas, wildfires which destroyed almost 5 million acres of Amazon rainforest, and 9 heavy storms in Viet Nam - in the span of only 7 weeks.

Arctic-Texas link

Extreme weather in Texas has brought unseasonal snow storms resulting in widespread electricity blackouts across the US state.

Whilst these disasters occurred thousands of miles apart, the study shows how they are related to one another, and can have consequences for people living in distant places.

An example of this is the recent heatwave in the Arctic and cold wave in Texas. In 2020, the Arctic experienced unusually high air temperatures, and the second-lowest amount of sea ice cover on record.

This warm air destabilized the polar vortex, a spinning mass of cold air above the North Pole, allowing colder air to move southward into North America, contributing to the sub-zero temperatures in Texas, during which the power grid froze up, and 210 people died.

COVID and the Cyclone

The refugee camps in Cox’s Bazar are the world’s largest, hosting 860 thousand Rohingya from Myanmar..

Another example of the connections between disasters included in the study and the pandemic, is Cyclone Amphan, which struck the border region of India and Bangladesh.

In an area where almost 50 per cent of the population is living under the poverty line, the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdowns left many people without any way to make a living, including migrant workers who were forced to return to their home areas and were housed in cyclone shelters while under quarantine.

When the region was hit by Cyclone Amphan, many people, concerned over social distancing, hygiene and privacy, avoided the shelters and decided to weather the storm in unsecure locations. In the aftermath, there was a spike in COVID-19 cases, compounding the 100 fatalities directly caused by Amphan, which also caused damage in excess of 13 billion USD and displaced 4.9 million people.

Root causes

Mr Nam holds Phuc and calms him after Phuc knew that he could not find his favorite tree any more

The new report identifies three root causes that affected most of the events in the analysis: human-induced greenhouse gas emissions, insufficient disaster risk management, and undervaluing environmental costs and benefits in decision-making.

The first of these, human induced greenhouse gas emissions, is identified as one of the reasons why Texas experienced freezing temperatures, but these emissions also contribute to the formation of super cyclones such as Cyclone Amphan, on the other side of the world.

Insufficient disaster risk management, notes the study, was one of the reasons why Texas experienced such high losses of life and excessive infrastructure damage during the cold snap, and also contributed to the high losses caused by the Central Viet Nam floods.

The report also shows how the record rate of deforestation in the Amazon is linked to the high global demand for meat: this demand has led to an increase in the need for soy, which is used as animal feed for poultry. As a result, tracts of forest are being cut down.

“What we can learn from this report is that disasters we see happening around the world are much more interconnected than we may realize, and they are also connected to individual behaviour”, says one of the report’s authors, UNU scientist Jack O’Connor. “Our actions have consequences, for all of us,”

Solutions also linked

However, Mr. O’Connor is adamant that, just as the problems are interlinked, so are the solutions.

The report shows that cutting harmful greenhouse gas emissions can positively affect the outcome of many different types of disasters, prevent a further increase in the frequency and severity of hazards, and protect biodiversity and ecosystems.

Interconnected disasters

Interconnected Disaster Risks 2020/2021, is released by the United Nations University’s Institute for Environment and Human Security ( UNU-EHS ), which conducts research on risks and adaptation related to environmental hazards and global change.

The institute’s research promotes policies and programmes to reduce these risks, taking into account the interplay between environmental and societal factors.

Research areas include climate change adaptation by incorporating insurance-related approaches, environmentally-induced migration and social vulnerability, ecosystem-based solutions to adaptation and disaster risk reduction, and models and tools to analyse vulnerability and risks linked to natural hazards.

disaster risk management

Essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters

Students are often asked to write an essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters

What are disasters.

Disasters are terrible events that cause a lot of harm and suffering. They can be split into two types: natural and man-made. Natural disasters happen because of nature, like earthquakes or floods. Man-made disasters are caused by people, such as oil spills or wars.

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters come from the Earth or weather. These include storms, volcanic eruptions, and droughts. They can destroy homes and make it hard for people to get food and clean water. We can’t stop them, but we can get ready and try to stay safe.

Man-Made Disasters

Man-made disasters happen because of human actions. Examples are factory explosions, pollution, and fires that people start. These disasters can also ruin homes and hurt the environment. It’s important for us to be careful and prevent these events.

Staying Safe

To stay safe, we must learn about disasters and plan ahead. Families should have emergency kits and know where to go if a disaster happens. By being prepared, we can protect ourselves and help others in tough times.

250 Words Essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters

Disasters are terrible events that cause a lot of harm and suffering. They can destroy homes, make people get hurt, or even cause them to lose their lives. These events can be grouped into two types: natural and man-made.

Natural disasters are caused by nature. This includes things like earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and volcanic eruptions. These events are powerful and can happen without warning. For example, an earthquake can shake the ground so much that buildings fall down. Floods can happen when there is too much rain and the water rises, covering the land.

On the other side, man-made disasters are caused by people’s actions. Pollution, wars, and accidents at places like factories or nuclear power plants are examples of this. For instance, if a factory does not handle dangerous chemicals the right way, it could cause a big explosion.

To stay safe, it is important for everyone to know about these disasters and how to act when they happen. Schools teach children what to do if a disaster strikes, like how to leave a building safely during an earthquake.

Working Together

After a disaster, people often come together to help those who are affected. They might give them food, clothes, or a place to stay. It shows that even after something bad happens, people can work together to make things better.

500 Words Essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters

Understanding disasters.

A disaster is a sudden event that causes a lot of damage or loss of life. Disasters can be split into two main types: natural and man-made. Natural disasters are caused by nature, like earthquakes or floods. Man-made disasters are caused by human actions, like wars or oil spills.

Natural disasters come from the Earth or weather. Earthquakes shake the ground and can knock down buildings. Volcanoes can erupt and send out hot lava. Floods happen when too much rain falls and rivers overflow. Hurricanes are big storms with strong winds and heavy rain. These events can be scary and can hurt people and damage their homes.

Man-made disasters are different because people cause them. Pollution can make the air, water, or land dirty and unsafe. Chemical spills can harm people and animals. Nuclear accidents can release dangerous energy. Wars can destroy cities and hurt many people. These disasters often happen because of mistakes or bad choices.

Effects of Disasters

Disasters can change lives in many ways. People may lose their homes or loved ones. They might need to leave their town or country to be safe. After a disaster, food and water might be hard to find. People can also get sick from dirty water or not enough food. Disasters can make it hard for kids to go to school or for adults to work.

Preparation and Response

It’s important to be ready for disasters. Families can make plans for what to do if a disaster happens. They can have emergency kits with food, water, and medicine. Governments and groups can teach people how to stay safe during a disaster. After a disaster, help can come from many places. People can get medical help, food, and a place to stay. Workers can fix broken buildings and roads.

Learning from Disasters

After a disaster, people can learn how to do better next time. They can build stronger houses or better walls to stop floods. Scientists can study disasters to understand them more. This knowledge can help predict when a disaster might happen and warn people to be safe.

Disasters, whether natural or man-made, can be very difficult and sad. But by understanding and preparing for them, people can help each other and rebuild their lives. It’s important to learn from past disasters to make the future safer for everyone.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

Essay on Nationwide Smoking Ban
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Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

Happy studying!

Human-Made and Natural Disasters Comparison Essay

1. introduction.

So, first of all, what is a human-made disaster? Human-made disasters, sometimes referred to as anthropogenic disasters, are the result of human intent, negligence, or error, or involving a failure of a man-made system. Examples include a building collapse, a train wreck caused by a lack of proper maintenance, an industrial explosion, and environmental pollution. As for natural disasters, they are extraordinary, sudden and violent events that originate from the natural processes of the earth. These types of disasters have a very low chance of occurring in the area they affect, but can have a huge impact in terms of causing damage, destruction and death when they do occur. Some examples of natural disasters include floods, earthquakes, hurricanes, and epidemics. In essence, the difference between a natural and human-made disaster is that human-made disasters are man-made, and disasters occur naturally. Human-made disasters generally involve hazardous materials in the workplace, and multiple deaths are a result of a manmade disaster (for example, the Bhopal gas tragedy). On the other hand, natural disasters are caused as a result of natural processes within the earth, leading to loss of life and damage to property (for example, the earthquake in Haiti that killed thousands). And finally, the difference in the type of disaster allows for a different approach to deal with the situation. Human-made disaster affects society in many ways, for example, it can have a serious impact on the environment. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, hurricanes and floods can also affect the environment, but with manmade disasters, the environment can be affected in the long term, especially if there are toxic chemicals involved. By contrast, natural disasters pose immediate threats to humans, resulting in the loss of life and injury. Culturally, human-made disasters can affect the confidence and trust that society holds on its infrastructures and planning strategies, as disasters are not supposed to happen as a result of human errors or oversights. This has the potential of weakening the power and ability of humans to defend themselves against the elements, which is what leads to the fear of a natural disaster as less of a threat. For public officials and emergency managers, knowing the differences between natural and human-made disasters has major implications for the preparation of potential significant events. While it is impossible to prevent nature from acting, it in many ways is possible to prevent or at least limit the effects of human-made disasters with better planning, training, resources and monitoring. On a community and wider level, it enables early intervention strategies and forward planning to minimise the risk from both types of disasters happening.

1.1 Definition of Human-Made Disasters

As defined by the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), human-made disasters are the result of human hazards, vulnerabilities, and inadequate capacity to reduce the resulting loss. The UNDRR explains that while humans may not be able to control the forces of nature that set natural disasters in motion, they can control the impact of "earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and floods" - all classified as natural disasters - by settling disputes and fostering natural disaster risk awareness and preparedness on a local level. On the societal level, the UNDRR advises that stricter land use planning, critical infrastructure, environmentally protective methodologies, and heightened building codes can decrease the adverse effects of natural disasters. Examples of human-made disasters include war, industrial accidents, nuclear explosions, and terrorism - among others. Critical to these events, according to the UNDRR, is the absence or very limited protection with little or no resistance in the face of two primary societal disadvantages: the failure to follow appropriate disaster risk preventing measures and the lack of collective cooperation and coordination in the maintenance of national and local disaster prevention and risk reduction capabilities.

1.2 Definition of Natural Disasters

Knowing how to best protect yourself and your family when disaster strikes is critical in minimizing the potential negative impact of a natural disaster. A natural disaster is a term that refers to an event that is caused by natural forces and causes great harm, either to human life or to property or to the environment. Examples of natural disasters include earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes and tropical cyclones, floods, tsunamis, and drought. However, this is not an exhaustive list of natural disasters, and natural disasters can come in many forms. Natural disasters can cause great damage and large-scale loss of life. They can also affect the economy and development of a country and its recovery mechanisms. There have been so many disasters from the hydro-meteorological hazards and they are ranked the most frequent in the EM database. And now, the natural disasters are more likely to happen with the highly increase of the number of the population and the development of the society which leads to the environmental degradation. Also, global warming may also cause an increase in the probability of occurrence of the disasters. With the effect of climate change and other factors, natural disasters are becoming more frequent and are likely to become more common in the future. Therefore, it is necessary for modern societies to acknowledge the critical implications associated with natural disasters and to develop comparative knowledge of the risks and consequences that such disasters bring. This knowledge and understanding are useful in a number of different ways, as it can help in disaster planning and preparedness, considering the mitigation of disaster risks, and in helping to raise awareness of how to reduce the factors that create potential for disasters. In turn, the reduction of the potential of disasters as well as the mitigation of risks can be of great assistance in societal development while minimizing the negative impacts of these unpredictable events on the social, economic, and physical well-being of a community or country as a whole.

1.3 Purpose of the Essay

The main purpose of this essay is to develop insights into the various types of disasters, both natural and human-made, and to provide an understanding of the vulnerability of different societies and the challenges they may face in the event of a disaster. The essay is also expected to provide an academic way of looking at disasters - something that can prove very valuable in understanding them. Furthermore, through examining the causes of disasters, and how society prepares for and responds to them, it is hoped that the essay will provide a greater depth of understanding as to their significance. The essay also addresses various key themes and presents a balanced argument to demonstrate an awareness of wider literature. As you work through this essay and its various activities, remember these are the main objectives of this work. Try to relate them to what you are reading/doing for a more in-depth learning experience.

2. Causes of Human-Made Disasters

Human-made disasters have been around for a long time and have become a major risk to the development of human society. The causes of human-made disasters have been a topic of interest to me for some time, the first being human error. Human errors are common in day-to-day work; for example, someone might forget a step in a process. However, unlike in today's society where we are lucky and lead generally peaceful lives, accidents in late early human civilization, such as accidental fires whilst using stone tools, could prove fatal. Nowadays, mishaps could also potentially lead to disasters on a high level. For example, inattention to monitoring storage levels or incorrectly aligning pipelines could attribute to a major pollution incident or explosion, thus making human error a major cause for human-made disasters. Environmental Impact Nowadays, systems and industries are beginning to be built with tighter safety controls, due to more research into human factors and advanced technology in the engineering world. However, many of the initial structures and processes are still in place today with minimal improvements. Many of these structures and processes are associated with the increased chemical usage and energy requirements of late 19th and early 20th-century human society, such as manufacturing plants and transport systems. The combined effect of decades of artificialization of natural systems and resources has now begun to take a toll on our environment; for example, the increased possibility of air or water pollution and soil degradation, making environmental impact an ever more prevalent cause of human-made disasters today.

2.1 Human Error

Explanation for section "2.1 Human Error" Human error is the main cause for human-made disasters and it is on the rise. Misjudgments, inattentiveness, and incorrect actions on the part of humans can result in grave errors. An example of a severe human error occurred in 1986 when an explosion at the Chernobyl nuclear power station caused a massive disaster. This disaster was caused by the reckless conduct of the plant operators to the nuclear reactor. The operators, who had an order from the headquarters to continue the electricity generation, tried to model a turbine rundown test and neglected important safety procedures. As a consequence, the power surged and the reactor went out of control, causing an explosion and a fire that released large amounts of radioactive particles into the atmosphere, spreading over the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and Europe. According to Zsuzsanna Vargha, author of "Chernobyl: A Legal and Economic Analysis," the disaster caused the largest uncontrolled radioactive release into the environment ever recorded for any civilian operation, and the authorities had to permanently evacuate 350,000 people from an area the size of Switzerland. In effect, human error is not only caused by the carelessness of the workers, but there are also various causes for human errors, such as excessive stress and physical fatigue that work to lower the worker's concentration and with it, effectiveness. Similarly, the problem of human error is frequently compared to the problem of safety. It is also pointed out that the error approach to safety can be contrasted on a fundamental level with the traditional, more prevalent 'failure' approach. These views are based on different, but often conflicting perspectives in the safety literature that translates to different methods in safety practice.

2.2 Technological Failures

Technological failures are a common cause of human-made disasters. Such failures can occur in a wide array of technologies, from those used in mass production facilities to nuclear power plants. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster in 2011 is one of the most prominent examples of a technological disaster caused by a technology failure. The disaster was initially triggered by an earthquake and a tsunami that followed soon after. However, the majority of the damage - the nuclear meltdown - was caused by a loss of cooling water in the reactor core, which led to the failure of the fuel rods in the core and subsequent releases of radioactive materials. This loss of cooling water occurred because the Fukushima nuclear power plant site and its emergency power systems were not designed to withstand such high tsunami waves that followed the earthquake. This is despite the fact that research published in 2008 by seismologists had concluded that a far larger earthquake and tsunami could be reasonably expected in that part of the Pacific. The same nuclear disaster analysis also reported that the present safety guidelines for nuclear installation and staff training had concentrated on the risks of earthquakes and had not envisaged the effects of a huge tsunami hitting the power plant and disabling the emergency power systems. This reflects a further potential reason why technological disasters occur - an overemphasis on certain risks and a failure to fully plan for mitigating rarer, higher impact disaster scenarios.

2.3 Environmental Impact

Lastly, the environmental impact of human-made disasters is further reaching and more long-lasting than that of natural disasters. An environmental impact is the impact on the environment created by the emission of greenhouse gases and the depletion of the ozone layer from human-made disasters. Deforestation and the loss of biodiversity in a region are also heavily linked to human-made disasters. The extensive damage caused by oil spills, for example, creates a long-lasting impact that cannot be repaired in human lifetimes. When an oil spill occurs, not only does it physically cover the habitats of many species with thick, sticky oil, but the chemicals throughout the oil will contaminate the earth. These chemicals effectively sterilize the earth, so that either no plants can grow at all, or only certain species of plants can grow, effectively taking away biodiversity in the region. When deforestation occurs, both natural disasters and human-made disasters can strike. From the impact of losing habitats, increased soil erosion, and a major decrease in biodiversity, biodiversity is also a major factor in the causes and effects of both human-made and natural disasters. Biodiversity ensures natural sustainability for all life forms, including us humans. It is the idea that all living organisms are interrelated and interdependent. Biodiversity plays a crucial role in human life and the stability of the natural environment. Some of the natural impacts of human-made disasters are global warming, a depletion of the ozone layer, natural resource depletion, and air and water pollution. Air pollution from human-made disasters is thought to have contributed to global warming, creating ever more severe and periodic natural disasters. The potential long-term impacts of such pollution are still being studied. Both human-made and natural disasters are, ultimately, the result of the power of the planet and the inability of humanity to control it. However, the means by which both human-made and natural disasters happen and the impacts and responses to each are quite different.

3. Causes of Natural Disasters

The earth is an active place and earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis can have devastating impacts on human and animal life. All these events and phenomena are caused by the release of pressure that has built up over time. Over the years, the earth's crust has been formed into large sections called tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving, but very slowly. However, they do sometimes get stuck at their edges due to friction. When these plate boundaries move, it can cause energy to be released. This is called a fault and the energy waves, called seismic waves, shake the earth and cause an earthquake. When pressure under the earth's surface forces magma - molten rock - up through a vent in the crust, it creates a volcanic eruption. As the magma comes out of the volcano, it rapidly cools and solidifies to form rock. The majority of volcano-related deaths are caused by volcanic blasts. When these occur, they can shoot rocks and ash at extremely high temperature and speed into the air. The ash can cause lung irritation, and the rocks can cause injuries or death, as well as destroy buildings and infrastructure. A tsunami is a huge wave, usually generated by an undersea earthquake. It can travel across entire ocean basins. As these waves approach coastal areas, the sea can rise as high as 100 feet, devastating everything in its path. This is what happened in Southeast Asia on Boxing Day 2004 when an earthquake occurred off the West Coast of Sumatra in Indonesia. The death toll from the tsunamis totaled 229,866 in 14 countries, with 170,000 in Indonesia alone.

3.1 Geological Factors

The structural and geomatic factors experienced by the Earth's land masses and plate tectonics contribute significantly to geological disasters. For instance, the movement of Earth's crust creates fractures that allow water to travel to the impervious rocks. The lubrication of rock surfaces by the water leads to a reduction in the frictional resistance that acts in opposition to the movement at the Earth's surface. Consequently, geological events like landslides and mudslides often result when the overlying material cannot be supported by the weakened foundation. Seismic activity and the resulting earthquakes represent another potential geological disaster. The Earth's crust is formed by a series of plate tectonics that are in constant albeit gradual motion, and earthquakes result from the abrupt movement of the plates. In more specific terms, earthquakes are normally caused by the slippage that occurs along faults. In the event of an earthquake, the energy that is built up by the relative motions of the Earth's plates is released and sends shock waves throughout the surrounding rock. These waves, in turn, cause most of the damage associated with earthquakes. In addition to the causes outlined above, certain human activities have also been identified as potential geological disaster catalysts. For instance, deforestation and surface mining increase the likelihood of events like landslides by removal of the vegetation that helps bind soils and rocks as well as changing the topographical layout of an area. Similarly, damming and urbanization may create conditions that are conducive to floods. For example, the impoundment of water through dam construction can lead to landslides. This is because the weight of the water serves to add subsurface pressure to the weakened rock layers along the edge of the body of water. With urbanization, the increased effect of stormwater runoff from impervious surfaces may exceed the ability of drainage systems to keep moving water efficiently contained. This, in turn, increases the potential for surface water to invade basements and weaken foundation structures. Natural vulnerability is a real and universally experienced concept, and geological disasters present significant risk and danger to human life and property. Even with our advances in engineering and technology, the forces harnessed and the Earth processes at work are simply beyond our current capacity to effectively prevent or adequately mitigate the risk of geological disasters. We can only hope to better understand and predict the occurrences of natural threats to safety and adjust our behaviors and policies in light of this knowledge. However, as outlined above, the often sudden and overwhelmingly destructive power of geological entities is not an issue that may be easily or absolutely dealt with; careful preparation and the inclusion of geological considerations in the planning and regulation of human activity is currently our best line of defense against such disasters.

3.2 Climatic Factors

Thirdly, natural disasters are often caused by climatic changes that damage the environment. For instance, the rise in sea level is as a result of the rising temperatures that have been found to come as a result of higher levels of pollution in the atmosphere. This rising temperature is what is causing the polar ice caps to melt, which will eventually result in the flooding of some areas of the earth. Higher sea levels increase the intensity and magnitude of flooding. For example, if a tidal wave occurs or if there is excessive rainfall then flooding is more likely, particularly in areas where the land is already at or near to the sea level. Moreover, increased temperature can result in more hurricanes and tropical storms which bring about huge amounts of rainfall and may cause storm surges. Deforestation is another major factor when it comes to flood damage caused by human activity and climate change. Forests protect against soil erosion, as it is the tree roots that bind the soil together and help water to not seep away, meaning that surface run-off is reduced. Owing to the fact that trees absorb a large amount of water, deforestation leads to more water saturation of the earth, which can lead to a higher risk of landslides, such as that experienced during the summer floods in 2007.

3.3 Ecological Factors

In addition to geological and climatic factors, environmental or ecological factors can also play a role in the causation of natural disasters. According to the World Commission on Environment and Development, ecological factors are responsible for two-thirds of all the natural disasters. Deforestation, for example, has been known to result in mudslides, flooding and droughts. Soil erosion (which can occur from such things as the tillage of the soil, the removal of all vegetation and building practices that do not allow for the natural replenishment of the soil) can result in landslides. Not protecting the coastal areas with mangroves and other vegetation leads to increased damage from coastal storms and hurricanes. Wetlands act as natural sponges to absorb and hold floodwaters. When these areas are developed, the floodwaters spread out, causing damage to the surrounding areas. It is estimated that one acre of wetland, with an average water depth of one foot, can hold one and a half million gallons of water - a release of which would surely create a disaster. While it has been proposed that the destruction of the environment as a result of natural disasters might be totally avoided if the concept of sustainable development were adhered to, it is accepted that this goal is difficult to achieve because of the different types of environmental degradation which are most likely to be found in different geographical areas and the differing socio-political constraints which are evident across the globe. On a practical level, it is known that a minimum of around 40 per cent of the land needs to be dedicated to conservation. This is based on the monsoon climates and the fact that if this requirement is not fulfilled, the volume of the rainy season in relation to the flooding potential will increase.

4. Impact of Human-Made Disasters

The impact of human-made disasters is far-reaching and more disastrous than natural disasters. One major impact is on the lives of people. Human-made disasters cause large-scale loss of human life. The two major factors causing the loss of human lives by human-made disasters are lack of knowledge (ignorance) and lack of proper evacuation. In many cases of human-made disasters, it is witnessed that the people do not have any prior knowledge of the disaster. For example, the biggest industrial disaster in the world is the gas leak at the Union Carbide pesticide plant in Bhopal, India. This disaster killed around 20,000 people and injured around 150,000. It was found from the studies that people were not aware of the gas leak because the siren of the plant was shut off at that time. Secondly, the lack of proper evacuation facilities further adds to the loss of human lives by human-made disasters. During human-made disasters, like building collapsing disaster, there are very limited means of evacuation and rescue. This lack of proper facility adds to the death toll due to human-made disasters. Secondly, human-made disasters are capable of not only destroying the economy of a country but also affecting the economy of the whole world. It is evident from the studies that human-made disasters have a far bigger impact on the economy than natural disasters. For example, the biggest man-made disaster to the oil industry is the oil spill. The Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989 had a massive impact on the economy of the US. It is suggested that the overall cost for the clean-up and settlement after the spill was approximately $9.5 billion. This one particular disaster had cost almost double the amount spent by the US government after the 9/11 attacks. Similarly, the cost of clean-up and damages after the BP oil spill in 2010 was estimated to be nearly $40 billion. Also, it was recorded that the shares of the BP oil company fell by 54% after the spill.

4.1 Loss of Human Lives

Based on the World Health Organization, human-made disasters are responsible for approximately 60% of the lives lost in disaster events. The majority of these deaths occur in countries with low financial situations where individuals lack the resources which are customary in wealthier nations. Human-made disasters are the consequence of human intent, problem or carelessness, or error. In a case such as an epidemic, the mistakes of humanity in contamination of the environment cause continuously. For example, on 26th April 1986, the explosion of reactor number four at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine led to the release of major key radioactive isotopes into the environment which the consequences take from past to present. On the other hand, natural disasters are responsible for 40% of disaster fatalities worldwide and the risk of death from a natural disaster is considerably lower because they can often be predicted and individuals can be moved into protection. In the course of the Asian disaster, the tsunami clean-up teams needed to detect and suitably bury as many bodies as possible in the interest of public health and to give press families some sort of closure. This gave the clean-up workers a chance to establish standard methods of identifying, recording and appropriately disposing of the bodies.

4.2 Economic Consequences

The economic consequences of human-made disasters, particularly large-scale industrial incidents and transport accidents, can be devastating. As well as severely impacting the local, regional, and even national economy, clean-up costs, insurance claims, and fines payments can often run into millions or even billions of pounds. Not only are businesses, whether large or small, affected by such disasters, but the lives of those directly affected by the incident through damage to property, lessened earning potential, or, in the worst cases, loss of life are turned upside down. The resources needed to help these people affected can also be substantial, further compounding the overall cost of the incident to society as a whole. When human-made disasters not only impose a high number of casualties but also may yield tremendous economic damage, the recovery process becomes more challenging due to limited resources. For example, air and water pollution caused by a large factory explosion may not only cause respiratory diseases among residents but also contaminate local water resources, including farmland irrigation sources. Especially if the disaster occurs in developing countries with scarce technological insurance and recovery capabilities, the international community and those more technologically advanced nations may have to provide aid or resources to assist the country in recovering from the devastating consequences. Economic recovery plans and funds are essential to rebuild infrastructure, re-establish confidence for investors, as well as sustain necessary public services such as firefighting and healthcare facilities. To ensure that the money is well spent and public safety is observed, it is often required to both develop and refresh the relevant disaster management policies and also train and regulate carrying out different roles and responsibilities in the policies. Economically, further research may be mandated to explore potential ways to reduce the chances of disasters or alleviate their consequences, which in turn has a positive influence on the mitigation of future disasters. Political influences on the economy, such as trade embargoes and sanctions, may also play a role in disaster recovery. For countries where the political relationship with other countries is poor, whether they have been affected by natural or human-made disasters, the provision of vital resources, either human or economic, to aid recovery may be hindered by other political factions. For instance, the US has offered aid and resources following the 2010 Haiti earthquake and the 2015 Nepal earthquake, despite hesitation and refusal from North Korea and Cuba in accepting US assistance. The economy of the location of the disaster can also be severely affected by knock-on consequences such as an increase in the cost of insurance to local businesses. Weapons of mass destruction certainly draw a huge amount of attention because of their potential catastrophic consequences. However, an explosion of a small chemical factory in England resulted in 4 fatalities, 41 serious and 454 minor injuries. The cost of compensation and fines alone to the employer amounted to £18 million, and the overall cost to the UK economy from the Buncefield Incident in 2005 is estimated to be around £1 billion. Such an example illustrates the substantial economic damage outcomes of human-made disasters.

4.3 Environmental Damage

In addition to the loss of human lives and the economic consequences, human-made disasters pose a significant threat to the environment. The chemical and biological agents that are released into the environment from the human-made disasters may cause large-scale acute and chronic impacts on people and the environment. The strong toxic substances can leak into soil and underground water, poisoning plants, animals, and people relying on them. These toxins could last for years or even decades. For example, during the Vietnam War, the US army had poured over 40 million liters of toxic herbicides on the forests in Southern Vietnam in order to expose northern troops' supply routes and hiding places. The most common of these herbicides was known as Agent Orange and it contained 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin, a very toxic dioxin compound. Apart from its well-documented effects on human health, the environment experts know the environmental impacts this hazardous compound would have over time. This is because once dioxin enters the soil, it can last for up to 15 years, harming small organisms and vegetation. It can also destroy various species and disrupt the natural balance of the ecosystem. For natural disasters, it is even worse. Although natural disasters may result from nature, the reality is that human activities are always heavily interlinked with the occurrence of natural disasters. This is obvious when looking at the fact that most of the man-made disasters are due to the negligence and incompetence of the humans in their activities. No matter it is urban planning, industrial construction, hazardous materials, or the manipulation of nature, in most circumstances, the disasters in those areas are the precipitated human-made disasters. This, in turn, indicates that the man-made disasters can be easily avoided if humans are more vigilant and they can be seen as an 'uncaring person' when compared to natural disasters. On the other hand, natural disasters are becoming more common than ever. Although human actions and activities have significantly contributed to the intensification of natural disasters, as in the case of global warming, it is important to note that natural disasters are charged with power that challenges the human race at every moment of its existence. Not only is nature arbitrary in its behavior, but also its behavior is unpredictable and occasionally harmful to us, due to the massive forces at work. So, the key differences lie in the measure of human culpability as well as the formidable magnitude of nature's power.

5. Impact of Natural Disasters

The impact of a natural disaster is never easy. Financial, structural, and human losses are devastating. A natural disaster impact can be substantial; it is crucial to be aware of the potential and immediate risk that they impose on the local community. While it is true that the size of a natural disaster will always have a substantial impact on the community, the reality is that the size is only one part of the impact. However, it must be recognized that the direct human impact of natural disasters, in terms of deaths, injuries, and displacement, may often be the most striking and the most carefully documented. According to data from the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters (CRED) and the International Disaster Database EM-DAT, natural events such as storms and quakes have been responsible for the deaths of just under people on average every year over two decades. The majority of deaths were due to geophysical events - including quakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, and mass movements - whereas more than were linked to climatological events such as flooding, storms, and extreme temperatures. When it comes to immediate impact, the loss of human lives is the one that captures most attention. Although there have been natural disasters throughout the United States history, the EF5 tornado that tracked through Joplin, Missouri on Sunday, May, is known as the second deadliest tornado in US history. There were direct fatalities and more than injuries. This devastating tornado tore a path that was miles long and mile wide, completely destructed the hospital and about a third of the homes, along with numerous businesses. The total amount of damage is estimated to billion, making this disaster the most expensive in Missouri's history. Moreover, recent studies have reported that a total of murders were committed in Louisiana over four months after Hurricane Katrina, which is known as the third major hurricane to hit the United States. The research was done in a variety of data gathering techniques, from linking databases to carrying out street interviews within the specific area. It must be acknowledged that although direct fatalities and economic consequences such as building and infrastructure damage are very visible, there are other equally significant and longer-term issues to deal with. For example, there may be considerable disruption and inconvenience to people's lives in terms of loss of livelihood, water supplies, energy, long journeys to essential supplies, and access to basic services such as hospitals and schools. Environmental impacts such as ecological damage, deforestation, soil erosion, flooding, landslides, changes to river channels, and sediment transport can also be immense. Also, the essay concludes by summarizing the main points discussed.

5.1 Loss of Human Lives

The loss of human lives in natural disasters can be considerable. This is because the unpredictability and force involved in such events often means that there is little or no warning given, either to prepare the population for the event, nor to evacuate it in time. As such, the number of fatalities in any given natural disaster, when one occurs, can be alarmingly high; this is despite the significant technological advances that have been made in recent years in terms of both monitoring the planet for signs of impending disaster and the presenting of data on things such as possible future developments in the world's climate. For example, in the Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, nearly 230,000 people lost their lives. Given the magnitude of a disaster such as this, it is unsurprising that it had such a huge toll in terms of human life; nevertheless, the sheer number of fatalities demonstrates that even with today's modern technology, which allowed hours and sometimes up to a week's worth of warning before the Tsunami struck, it is almost impossible to safeguard human life, and the hazards and potential dangers presented by natural disasters are extreme. By contrast, when considering the loss of life following a man-made disaster, it is often where human negligence, a failure to observe strict health and safety guidelines or a blatant disregard for the well-being of others leads to a catastrophic event occurring. For example, look at the disaster in Buncefield in 2005. Although no one was killed, the Health and Safety Executive has commented that it very easily could have had much more serious consequences. The fire and subsequent damage to much of the Northern Terminal caused by the ignition of 300 tonnes of high-octane petrol was, according to official remarks, entirely avoidable. In the aftermath of such a disaster, the focus for many people is not only the loss of life and the immediate damage caused; rather, there is often an outpouring of rage, sadness and a complete and utter inability to come to terms with the event, particularly where it may have been possible for precautionary steps to have been taken in order to avoid such a serious occurrence.

5.2 Economic Consequences

A natural disaster is a natural event that causes damage and loss of life. These can be distinguished from human-made disasters that are the result of human negligence, error, or intent. Human-made disasters, such as a building collapse, are not as destructive on a physical scale. However, such disasters can cause significant economic harm. When a human-made disaster occurs, there is not only the need to repair and rebuild, but also the impact of loss of business and the associated trade. This can result in job losses and will potentially have a knock-on effect on the local and regional economy. For example, if a road bridge collapses because of a structural failure, it may cause roads to be closed, thereby reducing business. However, the repair work will actually stimulate economic activity as companies will get contracts and workers will be employed. This means that overall the economic cost of the disaster might not be as severe as with a natural disaster, particularly in terms of job losses. However, with a natural disaster, the costs can be widespread and prolonged. For example, after flooding, it is the insurance industry that bears the brunt of the multi-billion dollar cost of high claims. However, for things such as earthquakes where there is a long recovery period, such as the 6-7 year period of rebuilding in Japan after the 1994 disaster, there are businesses that do not open again or collapse during this period. With human-made disasters, particularly those caused by negligence, there is often an ongoing cost to pay. For example, in the case of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill and the subsequent human health issues and environmental damage, the cost to BP is now over $60 billion. However, with so many different factors that contribute to the overall economic cost, such as whether the disaster is natural or human-made and the technological development of the area in question, it can be difficult to produce a definitive answer as to what might be the cost and impact of a disaster and how it might be managed.

5.3 Environmental Damage

The environmental damage in human-made disasters is not an instantaneous disaster most of the time. Some of the most widespread and dangerous forms of environmental damage are deforestation and changing of the natural environmental pattern, which can cause very long-term effects. Basically, deforestation is the clearance of the forest, which acts as a carbon sink of the earth, and changing the natural environmental pattern can be explained as a disaster that changes the dominant vegetation in the affected area; for example, the disaster from grass to forest. After deforestation and changing of the natural environmental pattern has been done by the human-made disaster, the long-term effects will take over the next few decades. When a disaster like deforestation occurs, the earth's atmosphere is disrupted and harmed to a large extent. The carbon that was locked within the trees is then released into the air as carbon dioxide, one of the major greenhouse gases that scientists link to global warming. The animals that live in the affected area are being affected, since their habitats are being destroyed. Eventually, the carbon cycle will be disrupted, which will harm our ecosystem. For the long-term effects of changing the natural environmental pattern, we can consider the disaster as disastrous to both human beings and wildlife. Natural disasters are less frequent, which is less harmful to the environment and humans in the short term, but the long-term effects will be more harmful. When a forest is destroyed, it will take a good few decades to grow back and is also hard to regrow. For fast action to overcome deforestation and the changing of the natural environmental pattern, there are many ways that can be done to reduce and fix the environmental damage. For example, reforestation refers to the natural and deliberate process of promoting and establishing the growth of trees in the forest. This action can help absorb carbon dioxide, which can kill two birds with one stone; firstly, it reduces the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, and secondly, it provides a home for wildlife. Also, wildlife habitats can be connected so that it will assist the plants and animals to move between them and respond to environmental changes. By doing this, the natural environment will surely remain stable.

6. Response and Preparedness for Human-Made Disasters

Research has shown that response and preparedness for human-made disasters differ greatly from the response and preparedness for natural disasters. For example, emergency response plans, which are specific to the type of disaster and which organize who is responsible for what tasks and all of the supplies that must be stockpiled, tend to be more directly and effectively used in human-made disasters. Part of the reason for this discrepancy in disaster preparation is that natural disasters may occur without warning, whereas human-made disasters tend to occur after warning, as was the case when Hurricane Katrina struck because plans and warnings were largely ignored and there was no effective response. Still, despite the fact that emergency response plans for human-made disaster risk mitigation are more successfully utilized, human-made disasters incur far more funding, occur more often, and have a greater share of the global mortality, making clear the necessity of effective response tactics to mitigate human-made disaster risk. Early warning systems are crucial for disaster management. Some human-made disaster early warning systems include surveillance for disease and monitoring of pulse and respiratory rates using devices or cameras installed in public places that may be an indicator for a biological or chemical attack. Such data can be transmitted in real time to an emergency operation center and processed automatically using algorithms to detect outbreaks or attacks. Also, other human-made disaster early warning systems that protect from infrastructure failures include the "Structural Health Monitoring" method, an automated and remote predictive maintenance technology to monitor and manage infrastructure. This technology assesses the performance and risks in real time and, after processing the received data, an informed decision about when and how to maintain infrastructure can be made. This can help reducing the risk of sudden failure of human-made structures. On the other hand, the main example of a natural disaster early warning system is the "The Indian Ocean Tsunami Warning System", created as a response to the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. Focusing on rapid and reliable communication, the system can issue a warning within 10 minutes of the event and predicted the behavior of the wave with an accuracy of 80% in a part to the west of the epicenter. Disaster preparedness training should focus on covering response to immediate human-made disaster impacts, with a broad syndicate in the new security environments such as those posed by the modern terroristic threats redesigning operations and making proper preparations. Public education and training activities should focus on increased awareness of what to do in the aftermath of different types of human-made disaster. Specifically, public education campaigns should be reinforced by the three guiding principles for human-made disaster response: supporting professional emergency response teams, providing appropriate materials for a safe response of non-governmental organizations, and effective planning in collaboration with different stakeholders. Overall, there is a focus on a community wide adoption of these principles as it basis for organizing training programmes. Such community based training groups, provided by the government, non-governmental organizations, community colleges and even some private companies, should offer different training courses including aerobic exercise, dress rehearsals, table-top exercises, drills and functional exercises. These should be audited, both to check for the quality of the training but also to check for probable opportunities to incorporate advanced technologies.

6.1 Emergency Response Plans

To ensure the most efficient response to a disaster, it is imperative that each responsible organization understands and maintains an emergency response plan. An emergency response plan is designed primarily to ensure the safety of the public and the affected individuals. All individuals must be made aware of the plan and the procedures to be taken in the event of a disaster. For example, employers are required to have an emergency plan as per Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) regulations and develop an emergency plan based on employees using the National Fire Protection Standard (NFPA) 160. Also, different states have different emergency response plan requirements for the employers and California, as an example, has the guidelines for the employers that are based on 8CCR. In California, the emergency response plan is designed to help employers and employees be prepared and respond to emergency situations. It becomes quite clear from the above view that emergency response plans can be properly executed through compliance with the laws and standards that prescribe a requirement to establish the site-specific elements of the plan as well as its components. The standardized emergency response plan outline typically comprises seven elements, such as preparation, define the roles and responsibilities, provide guidance, training and exercise, testing and improvement, coordination with public emergency services as well as informational educational, defined by OSHA. Ergo, in such type of human-made disaster, an emergency response plan that follows standards and laws proficiently as well as meets the specific demands of the certain types of the crisis would be the best answer to the mitigate of disaster. Public emergency services need to have the improved coordination and cooperation with the facility management in the establishment of the specific detail. Such specific details of the emergency response plan must be developed based upon a fire risk assessment for a particular building and engineering design of the fire protection system. All responsible organization members would have to play their specific roles and accomplish the performance objectives as set out in the plan. This would make the emergency response plan activated efficiently and effectively. Visitors, especially students, are encouraged to become familiar with the general emergency response plan and the nearest exits if a crisis occurs during visits. All members of a sit-disaster response team, including the emergency management team, have to work properly with continuous training and exercising as well. All in all, for the human-made disaster like a fire disaster, it is required to execute and apply the emergency response plan that follows OSHA regulations and it is designed based on the NFPA160 which is focusing on the standard for facilities safety of the life and fire protection safety. The facility's safest and the highest possible level of the life and fire protection workers can be obtained by ensuring the emergency plan with these standards and laws. It is vital to do so, especially for the fire casualty.

6.2 Risk Assessment and Mitigation Strategies

In addition to the preparation provided by emergency response plans, proper risk assessment and mitigation strategies are essential to addressing the potential impacts of human-made disasters. Risk assessment involves identifying potential hazards, analyzing and evaluating those hazards, and considering possible impacts and how to address them. On the other hand, mitigation strategies are measures put in place to prevent or reduce the likelihood or potential effects of a hazard. Such strategies can include adopting land-use practices, safeguarding critical facilities, applying building practices and codes, and protecting the environment. When a risk is identified in a particular area, it is crucial to make sure that the local planning and building control departments know about it. This can be done by means of a formal planning process, known as the "development plan" which supports development in suitable areas. There is also the option to submit a "planning application" before any development takes place. However, it must be established that a real risk exists. This is where development and emergency management go hand in hand, with the local planning authority working closely with the local government and other bodies who play a part in emergency response to ensure that the community is fully involved in the decision-making process. First and foremost, mitigation strategies must be informed by evidence-based risk assessment to ensure that resources are directed to where they are most needed. Such strategies must be developed in line with appropriate national strategies, and the aim should always be to reduce risk to the furthest extent possible. In the United Kingdom, a "risk-based approach" to emergency preparedness and resilience is reflected in the principles and practice of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004. This places a duty on Category 1 responders, including local authorities, emergency services and utility companies, to carry out risk assessments, maintain emergency plans and information and to promote business continuity. These responders must engage with other bodies and organisations to ensure the maintenance and activation of civil protection arrangements. At the same time, the Act recognises the importance of community resilience and allows for regulations to establish a framework for voluntary emergency plans. By taking account of local knowledge and resources, it means that a more considered approach to the assessment of community risk can be introduced. Such community initiatives can involve a wide range of agencies and organisations including local government, health services, school and colleges and community and voluntary groups. However, a level of continuity is essential to ensure that the measures are fully effective. By keeping rescue techniques and medical aid up to date, "emergency aid training" serves as not only a vital tool in preparing and co-ordinating response to an emergency, but also a crucial strategy in the mitigation of hazards pertinent to human-made disasters. Under the legal framework, all employers are required to carry out a risk assessment of workplace activities, as stipulated in the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, and provide appropriate first-aid and fire and emergency equipment. If necessary, planning may be required to provide equipment such as fire extinguishers, sprinkler systems and emergency lighting, which typically form part of a suitable risk mitigation strategy. Financially and physically experiencing a human-made disaster prompts changes to insurance premiums, and insurers often accentuate the importance of having precautions in place which play a key part in the reduction or prevention of incidents. This means tasks or regulations enforceable under various laws such as the Fire Precautions Act 1971 and the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005 become more significant in businesses and communities. It also provides useful information in investigations as to the cause of a fire, and orders serve as a way of ensuring that safeguards are put in place to mitigate the risk of a similar disaster occurring again.

6.3 Public Awareness and Education

Humans are learning tools and knowledge is our weapon. As the natural disasters are making a large amount of damage to countryside and the lives, we should do something that can help the victims when the disasters are taking place. Apart from the technology developments, I think the main reason that the natural disasters are getting out of control is the lack of knowledge. In order to have a more comprehensive understanding about the natural disasters, the students should be included in the curriculum about the disasters and educate the students from the young ages. They should be asked to carry out some projects about natural disasters, for example, earthquake proof building designs. In this case, the students can learn the relevant knowledge of natural disasters and also, be educated of how human being can prevent the damage that brought by natural disasters. Moreover, the governments should start up some effective measures to train more professional disaster managements. These trainings should be focus on some new or advanced technology and it can help to strengthen the disaster rescue and relief work. People in different sectors, such as the engineers, the social workers and the government officers, should be included in these trainings. When the disasters are taking place, these professional rescue teams can give help immediately and the casualties can be reduced. Last but not least, the media has a huge effect to the public. The knowledge and information of disasters can be effectively delivered to the public through different sorts of media. The governments should use more ways to educate the public. For example, broadcasting some advertisements about the disaster preventions and experience sharing in the disaster affected areas can help to arouse the public's awareness.

7. Response and Preparedness for Natural Disasters

One of the key differences between human-made and natural disasters is that, while we can predict the incidence and severity of human-made disasters to some extent and take steps to prevent them, natural disasters happen with little to no warning and we can only try to reduce the damage that they cause. However, the use of technology has allowed us to develop new methods of predicting, responding to, and preventing the worst effects of natural disasters, thus somewhat changing the traditional response strategies. This section focuses on analyzing these new technologies and strategies, exploring how they have changed the way in which people respond to natural disasters. As discussed in the previous section, due to the unpredictability and spontaneity of natural disasters, the main focus of natural disaster response and readiness strategies has always been placed on post-disaster action, for example, developing efficient and quick ways of evacuating affected areas safely and ensuring that affected people receive enough medical attention as soon as possible. However, the recent advancements in technology have put more emphasis on prediction and prevention. For example, modern satellites now allow almost precise monitoring of atmospheric and oceanic patterns and temperature: sudden changes in these parameters can be an indication of an oncoming natural disaster, such as a hurricane. This technological revolution has given birth to a new generation of disaster response strategies known as the Predictive Paradigm, where efforts focus on predicting the onset and severity of not just natural disasters themselves, but the secondary problems that they cause, such as power outages and the spread of disease. This demonstrates a significant change in the way in which people can respond to natural disasters, potentially making such events much less damaging. However, these new strategies rely on constant and effective global monitoring of the environment, meaning that there is a necessity for massive international funding and cooperation for such systems to be successfully employed on a worldwide scale. Nevertheless, the World Health Organization has identified new predictive strategies as one of the key steps forward in natural disaster response and has suggested that the international community and individual nations alike make the necessary investments for the future.

7.1 Emergency Response Plans

The focus is primarily on having predefined actions to be taken in the period immediately following a disaster. Such plans aim to minimize loss of life and injury. The panacea to mitigating the catastrophic effects of both natural and human-made disasters is to implement integrated emergency management plans. However, for such plans to be effective, a high degree of interagency cooperation is required. In the absence of effective planning and consequent coordination amongst different emergency and rescue agencies, the response efforts may be delayed and prove to be inadequate. Well-established emergency response plans usually contribute to the prompt and efficient response to the demands of the local civil protection and disaster management. A certain degree of standardization can be achieved, allowing interagency cooperation at both district and national level. A general approach to planning, which could be applied by both governmental and non-governmental organizations and volunteers alike, would envisage five distinct yet interacting stages: prevention, preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation. As far as emergency response plans are concerned, the focus would be on the response phase - that is the type of plans, the elements that should be included, principles to be followed, the interagency coordination, and the methods to assess the success of a plan. Early warning is a major aspect of all emergency response plans, but it seems to be more vital for natural disaster risks. Effective communication between all relevant emergency and rescue agencies, the public, and the media is of paramount importance in this age of modern technology. As such, emergency response plans that incorporate a modern method of advance notice, monitoring systems, and round-the-clock availability of experts are highly likely to be more successful in preventing and reducing disaster dangers. With the advance of science and technology and the increase in complexity of modern societies, comprehensive emergency management plans, integrating both disaster and non-disaster events, are being developed and adopted worldwide. These generic plans outline structures, policies, and procedures to manage all types of emergencies and establish clear lines of responsibility for people from different organizations and at different management levels. But, it is emphasized that planning for emergencies should move beyond the administrative level and engage complex adaptive systems involving communities and local stakeholders.

7.2 Early Warning Systems

Earthquake early warning (EEW) systems are used to detect early rumbles of an earthquake, providing advanced notice to seismically risky regions. When an earthquake happens, it releases energy in the form of various types of waves, including primary and secondary waves. Primary waves (P-waves) travel faster through the Earth (1 to 8 km per second) than deformations produced by faults and arrived before the more destructive S-waves, which can cause severe damage. The importance of California's ShakeAlert EEW system, which is a leading safety innovation in new technology, was portrayed in the Fourth State of the State Address by California Governor Gavin Newsom in February 2019. He stated that, "The early warning system is just the type of tool we need to bring to scale in order to help us protect entire communities" and allocated $16.3 million towards the expansion of the system. This has raised an additional $29 million to build out the whole system in the state. Nonetheless, one of the decisive elements of effective and accurate EEW systems is to make sure there are numerous sensors located closer to each other, enabling successful detection and spreading the alerts more widespread. For example, Japan is very advanced in terms of EEW technologies and about 3,000 seismometers are generally installed throughout the country. As a result, the Japan Meteorological Agency runs the earliest nationwide public EEW system. A seismic intensity of 1 is enough for the EEW system to start preparing for the incoming devastation of the earthquake, and once a shaking degree of four or over on the Japanese seismic scale is recorded, the EEW system will provide public alerts at schools, train services as well as automatically shut down industrial machinery to avoid major casualties. The effectiveness has been positively demonstrated in the March 11th Tohoku earthquake; residents in Tokyo had around 55 seconds of warning time before the arrival of the strongest tremor from the Pacific coast. The "Drop, Cover, and Hold On" site is the best emergency preparedness practice for an earthquake, and when there is an alert from the EEW system, residents will have plenty of time to take shelter.

7.3 Disaster Preparedness Training

Disaster preparedness training is crucial for the success of disaster preparedness efforts. There are numerous people that can profit from catastrophe preparedness coaching together with volunteers, group emergency response groups, fireplace and rescue personnel, legislation enforcement officers, EMTs, emergency medical providers suppliers, public health staff, and others. For instance, workers in factories that use chemical substances are required to have catastrophe preparedness coaching as a part of the Hazardous Waste Operations and Emergency Response (HAZWOPER) requirements. The Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA) developed HAZWOPER in response to the March 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill. The purpose of catastrophe preparedness coaching is to make sure that individuals assigned to emergency response groups and staff liable for managing a response to a hazardous discharge are skilled to cope with a catastrophe in a protected and efficient method. This coaching is required by OSHA and should be repeated yearly. Students in native fireplace science and paramedic packages can proceed disaster preparedness coaching and emergency response training for almost each type of disaster which may have an effect on an individual or a metropolis. Well-organized and nicely carried out catastrophe preparedness coaching reduces vulnerabilities and prepares people to successfully reply to and get better from pure and human-made disasters. It's important that native governments, state and federal companies, group physique of workers, security planners and directors, group emergency response groups, hospitals, hearth and rescue personnel and others be concerned within the growth and completion of catastrophe preparedness coaching. By sharing assets, intelligence, and information in coaching workout routines and workouts, a properly-educated and cohesive platform of community-based responders might be assured. It's encouraged to contact the native Emergency Management Program for catastrophe preparedness coaching schedules, safety information, and data on how one can become involved in catastrophe preparedness initiatives.

8. Conclusion

In conclusion, "Disasters are not a new concept to the world; people have faced different disasters at different times." The comparison between the two types of disasters is that the effects of disasters and strategies in place for mitigating the disasters were found to be strikingly similar. On the other hand, the causes of both disasters differ greatly with human-made disasters resulting from deliberate actions while natural disasters result from natural processes of the earth. The essay has not been able to exhaust all disasters; even scientists are not able to exhaust all disasters because some disasters have not yet been studied. However, it has given a general understanding of what disasters are. It is very important to note that disasters leave a vast negative impact on the affected region. It is also true that when the disaster occurs, the relationship between economies and disasters helps to solve the problem. This is because many countries intervene in order to solve problems related to disasters, which helps to alleviate suffering and accelerate recovery in affected regions. It is very important to understand the disaster profile of where people live and the economy since the disaster will help to inform disaster risk management and development that is tailored to the local context. By this, efforts must be put in place to increase the effectiveness of response capacity and early warning. These preparedness measures and implementation of disaster management strategies and efforts to minimize the impact will save lives, protect livelihoods, and reduce the negative effects of disasters in the long run. I hence conclude by stating that disasters are preventable and with proper planning, mitigation, and the use of relevant technology, it can be avoided. Every effort in place for people to safely evacuate in case of disasters should be advocated for because this will weaken the disaster and also be able to cut down the potential magnitude of the negative impact it may cause.

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500+ Words Essay on Natural Disasters For Students

From the towering walls of water that sweep across coastlines to the ground-shaking tremors that ripple through the earth’s surface, natural disasters are a stark reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. These catastrophic events strike without warning, leaving in their wake a trail of destruction, displacement, and heartbreak.

Table of Content

Types of Natural Disasters

Causes of natural disasters, effects of natural disasters, precautions and preparedness, 500 words essay on natural disasters.

Natural disasters can take many forms, each with its unique characteristics and consequences. Some of the most devastating types include:

1. Earthquakes: Triggered by the sudden release of energy within the Earth’s crust, earthquakes can cause massive structural damage, trigger tsunamis, and disrupt vital infrastructure.

2. Tsunamis: Towering waves generated by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions, tsunamis can inundate coastal regions with incredible force, sweeping away everything in their path.

3. Hurricanes and Cyclones: These powerful rotating storm systems, fueled by warm ocean waters, bring destructive winds, torrential rain, and storm surges that can devastate entire communities.

4. Floods : Caused by excessive rainfall, melting snow, or dam failures, floods can submerge vast areas, disrupting lives and destroying property.

5. Wildfires: Driven by dry conditions, high winds, and human activities, wildfires can consume vast swaths of land, threatening lives, homes, and natural habitats.

6. Volcanic Eruptions: The explosive release of molten rock, ash, and gases from the Earth’s interior can bury entire regions in a blanket of destruction.

7 . Droughts : Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall can lead to water scarcity, crop failures, and even famine in some regions.

While some natural disasters are triggered by geological processes deep within the Earth, others are influenced by human activities and the changing climate. Factors such as deforestation, urbanization, and the burning of fossil fuels can increase the risk and intensity of certain disasters.

Climate change, in particular, is playing an increasingly significant role in the frequency and severity of many natural disasters. Rising global temperatures are contributing to more intense hurricanes, prolonged droughts, and the melting of glaciers and ice sheets, which can exacerbate coastal flooding.

The impact of natural disasters can be catastrophic, affecting every facet of human life and the environment. Some of the most significant effects include:

1. Loss of Life: Natural disasters can claim countless lives, leaving families and communities devastated by the loss of loved ones.

2. Destruction of Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, buildings, and critical infrastructure can be severely damaged or destroyed, hampering relief efforts and hindering recovery.

3. Economic Losses: The damage caused by natural disasters can result in staggering economic losses, affecting businesses, industries, and entire economies.

4. Displacement of Populations: Disasters often force people to abandon their homes and seek shelter elsewhere, leading to humanitarian crises and long-term displacement.

5. Environmental Degradation: Natural disasters can disrupt ecosystems, pollute water sources, and contribute to soil erosion and habitat loss, threatening biodiversity and natural resources.

6. Psychological Trauma: Survivors of natural disasters often grapple with the psychological toll, including post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and anxiety.

While it is impossible to prevent many natural disasters, proactive measures can be taken to mitigate their impact and enhance preparedness. Some of these measures include:

1. Effective Early Warning Systems: Developing and implementing robust early warning systems can provide valuable lead time for evacuation and emergency response efforts.

2. Disaster Risk Reduction: Identifying and addressing vulnerabilities through measures such as land-use planning, building codes, and infrastructure improvements can minimize potential damages.

3. Community Preparedness: Educating and empowering communities on disaster preparedness, including emergency plans, evacuation routes, and survival skills, can save lives and facilitate quicker recovery.

4. Resilient Infrastructure: Investing in resilient infrastructure, such as earthquake-resistant buildings and flood control systems, can reduce the impact of natural disasters.

5. Environmental Protection: Conserving and restoring natural ecosystems, such as wetlands and forests, can act as natural buffers against certain disasters and mitigate their effects.

6. International Cooperation: Fostering global partnerships and collaborations can facilitate knowledge-sharing, resource allocation, and coordinated response efforts during disasters.

Throughout human history, civilizations have grappled with the unpredictable and often merciless power of nature. Natural disasters, ranging from earthquakes and tsunamis to hurricanes and wildfires, have left indelible scars on communities worldwide, reminding us of our fragility in the face of nature’s might.

At their core, natural disasters are events triggered by the Earth’s natural processes, such as tectonic shifts, atmospheric disturbances, or geological phenomena. However, their consequences extend far beyond the physical realm, profoundly impacting lives, livelihoods, and the very fabric of societies.

The destructive force of these events is unparalleled. Earthquakes can reduce towering structures to rubble in mere seconds, while hurricanes and cyclones unleash winds of incredible ferocity, capable of obliterating entire coastlines. Wildfires, fueled by dry conditions and strong winds, consume everything in their path, leaving smoldering landscapes and displaced communities in their wake.

The human toll of natural disasters is staggering. Lives are tragically lost, families are torn apart, and survivors are left to grapple with the psychological trauma of witnessing such overwhelming devastation. Beyond the immediate loss of life, the aftermath often brings a cascade of challenges, including displacement, lack of access to essential resources, and the daunting task of rebuilding shattered communities.

The economic impact of natural disasters is equally profound. Infrastructure is crippled, businesses are disrupted, and entire industries can be brought to a standstill. The ripple effects of these events can reverberate throughout local and global economies, hampering recovery efforts and exacerbating existing vulnerabilities.

Moreover, the environmental consequences of natural disasters are far-reaching. Ecosystems are disrupted, delicate habitats are destroyed, and biodiversity is threatened as species struggle to adapt to the altered landscapes. The long-term effects on the natural world can be felt for generations, further compounding the challenges faced by impacted communities.

Addressing the threat posed by natural disasters requires a multifaceted approach that spans prevention, preparedness, and resilience-building efforts. Investing in robust early warning systems, fortifying infrastructure, and promoting disaster risk reduction strategies are crucial steps in minimizing the impact of these events.

Furthermore, addressing the underlying drivers of climate change is paramount, as many natural disasters are exacerbated by the effects of global warming. By transitioning towards more sustainable practices and reducing our carbon footprint, we can mitigate the intensity and frequency of certain disasters, safeguarding both human and environmental well-being.

Ultimately, natural disasters serve as a humbling reminder of the immense power of nature and the fragility of our existence. While we cannot control the forces that give rise to these events, we can cultivate resilience, foster global cooperation, and prioritize preparedness efforts to better withstand their fury.

As we navigate the unpredictable landscape of natural disasters, let us embrace our shared responsibility to protect lives, safeguard communities, and forge a more sustainable relationship with the natural world. By doing so, we can forge a path towards a future where the devastating impacts of these events are minimized, and humanity emerges stronger and more resilient in the face of nature’s challenges.

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Natural disasters underscore our need for resilience and preparedness. By bolstering infrastructure, safeguarding the environment, and addressing climate change, we can lessen their impact. Emphasizing risk reduction and sustainable practices, we aim to protect lives, economies, and ecosystems. Together, through resilience and cooperation, we can build a future where communities coexist with nature’s forces.

Essay on Natural Disasters- FAQs

What is disaster 1 paragraph.

A disaster is a major disturbance in the operation of a community or society resulting in widespread human, material, economic, or environmental losses and impacts that surpass the afflicted community’s or society’s ability to manage using its own resources.

What are the 2 main types of disasters?

Disasters are typically divided into two categories: natural and man-made. Natural catastrophes are typically related with weather and geological occurrences such as severe temperatures, floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and drought.

What are 5 man-made disasters?

A. Man-made disasters involve human intent, neglect, or error in the breakdown of a man-made system, as opposed to natural disasters caused by natural hazards. Such man-made calamities include crime, arson, civil unrest, terrorism, war, biological/chemical threats, cyber-attacks, and so on.

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Video wrongly claims past disaster deaths show climate change isn't real | Fact check

The claim: Decreasing natural disaster-related death counts show climate change isn't real

A Sept. 16 Facebook video ( direct link , archive link ) shows a person listing purported casualties of various past natural disasters. Many had death tolls in the thousands to millions, he said.

"Goofballs on the left are screaming, 'See! Climate change! Climate change,'" he says. '"But you know what? Natural disasters are not new. In fact, fewer people die from them now than ever before in world history."

The video is captioned: "By the Numbers: Climate Change Is NOT Real."

The video was shared more than 800 times in 10 weeks.

Our rating: False

Multiple lines of evidence show Earth's climate is changing due to greenhouse gases released by human activity. Death counts are not an accurate measure of the number or severity of extreme weather events because they are influenced by several factors, including technology and physical infrastructure, according to researchers. And there is no record of disaster deaths that spans all of "world history."

Climate change is real, caused by human greenhouse gas emissions

Global warming, which is caused by human greenhouse gas emissions , has been detected by multiple independent climate agencies . Scientists have also documented the effects of this warming, which include glacial and polar ice melt as well as sea level rise .

Fact check: Global warming happening despite 1913 Death Valley temperature record

In addition to documenting the warming itself, researchers have long understood the physical process by which greenhouse gases delay the escape of heat into space and warm the planet , Josh Willis , a NASA climate scientist, previously told USA TODAY . These physical principles have been verified through observations and experiments .

Researchers can also tell that the excess CO2 build-up in Earth's atmosphere comes from burning fossil fuels because a type of carbon found in excess in atmospheric CO2 matches the type of carbon found in fossil fuels , Willis said.

Further, "the amount of warming we see matches what we expect based on the increased CO2 we've added," he said. "The timing of the warming matches the timing of the CO2 increase caused by people."

Natural hazards increasing due to climate change

In addition to melting polar ice, climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of certain types of extreme weather and other environmental hazards, according to researchers.

"As we burn greenhouse gases, we trap more heat in the atmosphere and the oceans, which amplifies the energy in (Earth's) systems, making extreme events more powerful and more frequent," Cascade Tuholske , a Montana State University geographer, told USA TODAY in an email. "Climate change is increasing the likelihood of both acute disasters − like heat waves and flash floods − and long-term hazardous conditions − like chronic heat exposure or long-term drought."

The video does not directly challenge this fact, but it implies it must not be true because of a purported decrease in disaster-associated deaths. However, disaster deaths don't necessarily change in line with the severity or number of disasters.

This is because the number of deaths associated with a given natural hazard is ultimately influenced by social factors and physical infrastructure that may have little to do with the event itself, according to researchers. For instance, technology improvements such as early warning systems and robust building engineering save lives during disasters, Sara McBride , a social scientist at Earthquake Science Center, told USA TODAY in an email.

Social, political and economic systems strongly influence disaster mortality, Tuholske said. Thus, mortality trends alone cannot show whether or not climate change is occurring.

"There is a difference between measuring the increase in the frequency, duration and intensity of climate-related disasters ... and the impacts ... these disasters have on humans," he said. "Even if comprehensive global data did exist on climate-related disaster impacts, like fatality rates − which it does not − demonstrating that impacts are decreasing over time does not show that climate-related disasters themselves are decreasing."

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Disaster mortality data inconsistent

While the video claims there are fewer natural disaster deaths now than "ever before in world history," reliable disaster mortality records are not actually available for all of "world history," according to Damien Delforge , a scientist at the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters.

Delforge said that he was not familiar with any comprehensive disaster mortality database for events prior to 1900, though individual records of particularly high-impact events are available.

Even in more modern times, "discerning clear, unbiased trends in the health impacts of these disasters globally is ... challenging due to the lack of high-quality, unbiased impact data," he said.

One reason for this is that different areas may have different mortality reporting protocols . Some don't report mortality data at all, Tuholske said.

"Many countries today, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, do not track fatalities from any cause, much less disaster-specific deaths," he said.

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Disaster mortality trends can also be skewed by a small number of very high mortality events.

For instance, one analysis of more than 12,000 disasters that occurred between 1920 and 2020 showed a decrease in the number of disaster deaths over that timeframe, according to a Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters report .

However, Delforge said, "what drives the trend of the aggregated roughly 12,000 weather-related disasters is a marginal amount of disasters − 10 to 50 − of very high mortality impact, due to famines and the lack of assistance at these times and places."

If those events are excluded from the analysis, the data shows an increase in deaths, according to the report . But, due to other potentially biasing factors, the report's authors also cautioned against interpreting this alone as confirmation that disaster deaths are increasing.

USA TODAY reached out to the Facebook user who shared the post for comment but did not receive a response.

Our fact-check sources:

USA TODAY, Jan. 20, Fact check: Global warming caused by greenhouse gas emissions, not mysterious ocean warming
Damien Delforge , Oct. 25, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Cascade Tuholske , Oct. 24, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Clare Nullis, Oct. 24, Email exchange with USA TODAY
Sara McBride , Oct. 23, Email exchange with USA TODAY
NASA Earth Observatory, accessed Nov. 8, World of Change: Global temperatures
NASA Vital Signs of the Planet, accessed Nov. 22, Causes
NASA Vital Signs of the Planet, accessed Nov. 22, Ice sheets
NASA Vital Signs of the Planet, accessed Nov. 22, Sea level
NASA Vital Signs of the Planet, accessed Nov. 22, Carbon dioxide
NASA Vital Signs of the Planet, accessed Nov. 22, Global temperature
Environmental Protection Agency, July 2022, Climate Change Indicators: Heat Waves
Environmental Protection Agency, accessed Nov. 22, Climate Change Indicators: Weather and Climate
NOAA, Oct. 12, 2022, How do we know the build-up of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is caused by humans?
NASA, March 25, 2021, Direct observations confirm that humans are throwing Earth's energy budget off balance
The Conversation, July 31, 2020, John Tyndall: the forgotten co-founder of climate science
The New York Times, July 10, 2023, How Is Climate Change Affecting Floods?
Indiana University Environmental Resilience Institute, accessed Nov. 22, Climate Implications – Extreme Heat and Health
Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters, May 17, 2022 Disasters in Numbers
The Christian Science Monitor, Nov. 30, 2022, The Florida town that challenged Hurricane Ian and won

Thank you for supporting our journalism. You can subscribe to our print edition, ad-free app or e-newspaper here .

Our fact-check work is supported in part by a grant from Facebook.

BBB issues warning over ‘storm chasers’ who prey on victims of natural disasters

The national oceanic and atmospheric administration estimated that natural disasters cost americans well over $92.9 billion in 2023.

(InvestigateTV) — The Better Business Bureau (BBB) has issued a warning about “storm chasers,” who often abound after natural disasters with the intent of scamming victims.

Melanie McGovern with the BBB said they often prey on victims whose homes and property need immediate repair.

“A lot of times we’ll hear about, what’s called ‘storm chasers’ and that’s shady type construction companies that will show up to an area and ask you to prepare your home,” McGovern explained. “You might be distressed in an emergency situation. You might need that repair right away.”

McGovern said if they do knock on the door don’t feel pressured to commit to anything in that moment.

“The best thing you can do is to pause, take their business card, tell them you want to check them out with the BBB,” she said. “Do a little more research. Reputable construction companies will give you the time to do that.”

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) echoed her sentiment and said to be skeptical of anyone promising immediate clean up or repairs.

Also know that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) doesn’t charge application fees. If someone asks for money to qualify for FEMA funds, it’s a scam.

Those with questions about who to contact after a storm should call their homeowners insurance ahead of time. Ask them what their procedure is if damage occurs.

McGovern said often those not directly impacted by natural disasters want to help. But before donating any money, do the homework on different charities and organizations.

“Always work with a charity that has the ability to get to the affected area. If it’s something that’s local and it’s a local charity that you know that has been established, that has been around for a while,” McGovern suggested. “Any kind of crowdfunding you need to look into to make sure that it is on the up and up – donate only to people that you know. A lot of people will mimic being either a victim or knowing a victim. So, you want to make sure that you understand who it’s going to, where it’s going and how much of that dollars is actually going toward the cause.”

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7 of the Most Thrilling Disaster Movies on Netflix You Shouldn't Miss

D isaster movies have a unique way of gripping audiences, combining intense action with human drama and the thrill of survival against overwhelming odds. Netflix offers a treasure trove of such films, each offering a different take on catastrophic events that push humanity to its limits. Whether you’re a fan of apocalyptic scenarios, natural disasters, or thrilling action sequences, these seven disaster movies on Netflix are sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Impossible

Based on true events, “The Impossible” tells the harrowing story of a family’s struggle to survive in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami. With gripping realism and emotional performances from Naomi Watts and Ewan McGregor, “The Impossible” offers a powerful reminder of the strength of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy.

In this epic disaster movie, a catastrophic solar flare triggers a series of events that threaten to annihilate the planet. As the Earth’s crust becomes increasingly unstable, a group of scientists and leaders race against time to build arks that will save a select few from the impending apocalypse. With stunning special effects and a star-studded cast including John Cusack and Chiwetel Ejiofor, “2012” delivers a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Don’t Look Up

“Don’t Look Up” offers a satirical take on the disaster movie genre, as two astronomers (played by Jennifer Lawrence and Leonardo DiCaprio) discover a comet on a collision course with Earth. Despite their efforts to warn the world of the impending catastrophe, their message falls on deaf ears, highlighting society’s tendency to ignore urgent problems. With a blend of comedy, action, and a powerful message, “Don’t Look Up” is a must-watch for fans of disaster movies with a twist.

No list of disaster movies would be complete without a dose of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s signature action-packed style. In “Skyscraper,” Johnson stars as a security expert tasked with rescuing his family from a blazing inferno in the world’s tallest building. With breathtaking stunts and edge-of-your-seat thrills, “Skyscraper” delivers high-octane entertainment that will leave you breathless.

The Ice Road

Liam Neeson takes center stage in “The Ice Road,” a pulse-pounding thriller set in the icy wilderness of Canada. When a diamond mine collapses, Neeson’s character is tasked with driving vital equipment across treacherous frozen waters to save trapped miners. With heart-stopping action and suspense, “The Ice Road” is a gripping disaster movie that will keep you glued to the screen.

For fans of natural disaster films, “The Wave” offers a riveting tale of survival in the face of imminent danger. When a Norwegian mountain collapses into a fjord, triggering a devastating flood, a geologist and his family must race to escape the oncoming deluge. With breathtaking visuals and heart-pounding suspense, “The Wave” is a thrilling ride from start to finish.

Melancholia

“Melancholia” takes a unique approach to the disaster movie genre, using the impending collision of a mysterious planet with Earth as a backdrop for exploring deep emotional themes. With stunning cinematography and powerful performances from Kirsten Dunst and Charlotte Gainsbourg, “Melancholia” offers a thought-provoking meditation on life, loss, and the human condition.

Whether you’re in the mood for heart-stopping action, thought-provoking drama, or gripping real-life stories of survival, these seven disaster movies on Netflix have something for everyone. So grab your popcorn, buckle up, and prepare to be swept away by the thrilling spectacle of these cinematic masterpieces.

The post 7 of the Most Thrilling Disaster Movies on Netflix You Shouldn’t Miss appeared first on New York Tech Media .

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Natural Disasters Essay
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500+ Words Essay on Natural Disasters. A Natural disaster is an unforeseen occurrence of an event that causes harm to society. There are many Natural disasters that damage the environment and the people living in it. Some of them are earthquakes, cyclones, floods, Tsunami, landslides, volcanic eruption, and avalanches.Spatial extent measures the degree or severity of the disaster.
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Natural disasters are the sudden occurrence of natural and severe hazards threatening human welfare and survival. These events can cause injuries, destroy assets such as homes and businesses, and even death. Some examples of natural disasters are tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, and storms. Although emergency protocols are in place to ...
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The thesis statement for this essay is that natural disasters have wide-ranging effects on various aspects of human life, and it is crucial to understand and take measures to mitigate their impacts. Definition of Natural Disasters. Natural disasters are events caused by environmental factors and are outside of human control.
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Air pollution can cause respiratory problems, and trauma and stress can lead to mental health issues. Natural disasters can also impact the environment, causing soil erosion, water pollution, and a decrease in biodiversity. These impacts can have long-term consequences and require efforts for recovery and rebuilding.
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Natural disaster essay: how to write? 🌪️ Find all the information on this page! It contains a ️ guide, topic collection + a disaster management essay sample. ... nature may include heavy winds, floods, and tornadoes. For this reason, you can describe natural disasters' impact on human life in the essay. Flood: Floods are the most ...
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4 pages / 1941 words. Natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, typhoons, and hurricanes inflict serious damage and so seem to be bad for the economy. For firms, natural disasters destroy tangible assets such as buildings and equipment as well as human capital and thereby deteriorate their production capacity.
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Man-made disasters are occurrences that come about due to man's activities on the earth's surface. They can be intentional or accidental, but in either case, they can cause great harm to human beings, animals, property and the environment at large. Some examples of man-made disasters include global warming which has been caused by excessive ...
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natural disaster, any calamitous occurrence generated by the effects of natural, rather than human-driven, phenomena that produces great loss of human life or destruction of the natural environment, private property, or public infrastructure. A natural disaster may be caused by weather and climate events or by earthquakes, landslides, and other ...
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Conclusion. In short, natural disasters can have many harmful effects on human life. They can cause death, health problems, and damage to homes. They can also affect food and water supplies, education, the economy, and mental health. It is important for us to understand these effects so we can find ways to help people who are affected by ...
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Program. Foreign Policy. In the course of the past year, over 400 natural disasters took 16,000 lives, affected close to 250 million people and displaced many millions. But many humanitarian ...
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The two natural causes of wildfires are the sun's heat and lightning strikes, while they can also be caused by campfires, smoking, fireworks and many other things. The reasons that they spread so quickly are prolonged hot, dry weather, where the vegetation dries out, which is why they often take place in woodland. Order creative essay.
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Disasters such as cyclones, floods, and droughts are more connected than we might think, and human activity is the common thread, a UN report released on Wednesday reveals. The study from the UN University, the academic and research arm of the UN, looks at 10 different disasters that occurred in 2020 and 2021, and finds that, even though they ...
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500 Words Essay on Natural And Man-Made Disasters Understanding Disasters. A disaster is a sudden event that causes a lot of damage or loss of life. Disasters can be split into two main types: natural and man-made. Natural disasters are caused by nature, like earthquakes or floods. Man-made disasters are caused by human actions, like wars or ...
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Macro-level policy prescriptions to manage the human and economic risk from natural disasters will allow countries to develop, and the risk from the damage from natural disasters should fall. Hoke ( Citation 2005 ) and Okonski ( Citation 2004 ) have argued that the best way to avoid large levels of damage from disasters is for poor countries to ...
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1. Introduction So, first of all, what is a human-made disaster? Human-made disasters, sometimes referred to as anthropogenic disasters, are the result of human intent, negligence, or error, or involving a failure of a man-made system. Examples include a building collapse, a train wreck caused by a lack of proper maintenance, an industrial explosion, and environmental pollution. As for natural ...
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literature on the impact of natural disasters to poverty in Mexico. More concretely, this paper aims to answer if natural disasters occurring between 2000 and 2005, time for which data is available, affected poverty and long-term indicators such as human development. To explore theseissues, the paper draws on a unique poverty panel dataset of
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Drawing on the attention based view, this study explores the joint effects of natural disaster intensity at the country level with personal attributes in terms of gender, human capital, and fear of failure on the likelihood to enter social entrepreneurship. Using data on 107,386 observations across 30 countries, we find that natural disaster intensity has a positive effect on individuals ...
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Remote sensing techniques have emerged as an essential tool for conducting damage assessments and are commonly used to improve disaster recovery planning and community resilience policies. The objective of this study was to use aerial imagery data and LiDAR to identify the hardest hit areas, quantify the extent of damages, and compare pre- and post-storm beach morphology conditions in Estero ...
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Disaster movies have a unique way of gripping audiences, combining intense action with human drama and the thrill of survival against overwhelming odds. Netflix offers a treasure trove of such ...

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