Natural Hazards

• 1. Definition: Natural hazards are naturally occurring events or phenomena that have the potential to cause harm to humans, property, and the environment.
• Earthquakes


  Sudden shaking of the ground caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth's surface
• Volcanic Eruptions


  Explosive release of molten rock, ash, and gases from a volcano, potentially leading to lava flows, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows
• Hurricanes (Tropical Cyclones)


  Intense storms characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, forming over warm ocean waters
• Tornadoes


  Violently rotating columns of air extending from thunderstorms to the ground, capable of causing significant damage in their path
• Floods


  Overflow of water onto normally dry land, caused by heavy rainfall, rapid snowmelt, or the failure of dams and levees
• Droughts


  Extended periods of abnormally low precipitation, leading to water shortages, crop failure, and environmental stress
• Tsunamis


  Large ocean waves generated by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides, which can cause widespread devastation when they reach coastal areas
• Landslides


  Rapid movement of rock, soil, and debris down a slope, often triggered by heavy rainfall, earthquakes, or human activities
• Wildfires


  Uncontrolled fires in vegetation, fueled by dry conditions, high winds, and flammable materials, often causing destruction to forests, homes, and wildlife habitats
• Geological Hazards:

  • Definition: Geological hazards are natural events or processes that originate from within the Earth, often involving movements in the Earth's crust or volcanic activity.
  • Examples:
  • Earthquakes: Sudden shaking of the ground caused by the release of energy along fault lines or plate boundaries.
  • Volcanic Eruptions: Explosive release of molten rock, ash, and gases from a volcano, often leading to lava flows, ashfall, and pyroclastic flows.
• Meteorological Hazards:

  • Definition: Meteorological hazards are natural events or phenomena related to atmospheric conditions, such as pressure imbalances or temperature differentials.
  • Examples:
  • Hurricanes (Tropical Cyclones): Intense storms characterized by strong winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges, forming over warm ocean waters.
  • Tornadoes: Violently rotating columns of air extending from thunderstorms to the ground, capable of causing significant damage in their path.
• 1. Geographic Location:

  • Proximity to tectonic plate boundaries (for earthquakes and volcanic eruptions).
  • Coastal proximity (for tsunamis, hurricanes, and storm surges).
  • Elevation and slope (for landslides, avalanches, and floods).
• 1. Frequency and Magnitude of Events:

  • History of past occurrences and their severity.
  • Probability of future events based on geological and meteorological patterns.
• 1. Population Density and Vulnerability:

  • Number of people living in hazard-prone areas.
  • Socioeconomic status, access to resources, and resilience of communities.
• 1. Infrastructure and Land Use:

  • Quality of construction, building codes, and enforcement.
  • Urban planning, zoning regulations, and land-use practices.
• 1. Environmental Factors:

  • Changes in ecosystems and natural buffers (e.g., deforestation increasing landslide risk).
  • Climate change effects, such as rising sea levels and altered precipitation patterns.