Natural Disasters

1. Wildfires

1.1. Uncontrollable flames found in woodland and countryside vegetation.

1.2. Can occur naturally or be caused by humans.

1.3. Types include forest, grass, bush, hill, and desert fires.

1.4. Forested areas of the U.S., Canada, Australia, and South Africa most affected.

2. Earthquakes

2.1. Shaking from seismic waves in Earth's crust caused by tectonic plate movements.

2.2. Measured using the Richter Scale

2.3. Rim of the Pacific Ocean most affected

3. Tsunamis

3.1. Giant harbor waves created by water displacement from earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other natural processes.

3.2. Can reach speeds of up to 500 mph and heights upwards of 100 feet.

3.3. Pacific Ocean most affected

4. Volcanic Eruptions

4.1. Occurs when lava, ash, and gas overflow from a volcano, either explosively or effusively.

4.2. Measured using the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI) scale ranging from 0 (weakest) to 8 (strongest).

4.3. Rim of the Pacific Ocean most affected

5. Hurricanes

5.1. Spiraling thunderstorms with wind speeds of up to 186 mph that create strong winds and heavy rain.

5.2. Measured using the Saffir-Simpson Scale, ranging from Category 1 (weakest) to Category 5 (strongest)

5.3. Coastal regions most affected

6. Tornadoes

6.1. Violently rotating funnel shaped clouds with wind speeds ranging from 40-379 mph.

6.2. Intensity measured using The Fujita Scale, ranging from F0 (weakest) to F6 (strongest).

6.3. Central and southern U.S. most affected

7. Floods

7.1. Overflow from a body of water that covers nearby land.

7.2. Types include river, coastal, storm surge, inland, and flash floods.

7.3. Low-elevation coastal areas most affected

8. Avalanches

8.1. A rapid-moving mass of snow down a slope caused by a disturbance of accumulated snow.

8.2. Types include loose snow, and slab avalanches

8.3. Measured using a 5-category "Danger Scale," with 1 being the lowest danger level and 5 being the highest.

8.4. Can occur anywhere; most often during the Wintertime.