How Does a Natural Disaster Occur?
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Earthquake
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Earthquakes occur when tectonic plates within the earth's crust move suddenly. These sudden movements are caused by the relief of pressure along fault lines or the movement of magma within volcanoes. The resulting ground movement occurs in what is known as seismic waves and can cause minimal to extreme damage and destruction, depending on the magnitude of the earthquake.
Tsunami
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A tsunami is a massive wave that is sometimes referred to as a tidal wave. The origin of a tsunami begins an earthquake occurs under the ocean. The energy from the quake actually moves part of the ocean bed in a vertical direction, which in turn displaces massive amounts of ocean water. The energy then travels outward from the epicenter in the form of tremendous waves. In deep water, the waves move at very high speeds. Near land, the waves slow down and rise in height. Just before the waves strike land, the water at the shoreline recedes dramatically. Once the waves begin to hit, an enormous amount of damage and loss of human life can occur.
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Volcanic Eruption
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As tectonic plates move, pressure builds within the earth. This pressure sometimes escapes through openings in the crust known as volcanoes. Volcanoes possess a chamber that is filled with a type of liquid rock known as magma. This magma, along with ash, rocks and dust, is expelled through the opening of the volcano. The heat of the expelled materials, along with the suffocating ash and dust can kill people, animals and plants and can ruin structures as well. The materials also can mix with moisture to form mud flows that can cause massive destruction as well.
Hurricane
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A hurricane occurs as a result of low pressure over the ocean combined with evaporated ocean water. The evaporated water condenses to form rain clouds. The clouds begin to rotate and build in size and strength as a result of the low pressure. The clouds spiral around the center of the hurricane, known as the "eye." Winds from hurricanes can grow over 250 miles per hour. Hurricanes cause damage from the winds, the storm surge (ocean water rises and floods an area) and spawned tornadoes. Tornadoes are another type of natural disaster. They are caused by atmospheric instability and wind, which create a funnel shaped cloud. This funnel potentially can destroy everything in its path.
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