Natural Disasters Examples

Geological Disasters

Landslides

When the soil, rock and debris from a higher region falls downhill due to heavy rainfall, or any other factor, it is called a landslide.

Geological Disasters

Earthquakes

When due to seismic activity in the Earth’s crust the ground shakes, it is called earthquakes.

Geological Disasters

Volcanic Eruptions

When movement in the Earth’s crust throws out molten lava, ash, magma and gases, it is called a volcano.

Hydrological Disasters

Flood

When due to heavy rainfall, river overflow, or stormwater overflows into the dry lands submerging them, it is called a flood.

Hydrological Disasters

Tsunami

When due to underwater volcanic eruptions or earthquakes large oceanic waves are formed, it is called tsunami.

Meteorological Disasters

Cyclone

When to change in the weather current results in high-speed rotating winds having a low pressure center, it is called a cyclone.

Meteorological Disasters

Drought

Due to long-term low rainfall, the soil dries up leading to a lack of water for plants and animals is called drought.

Meteorological Disasters

Tornadoes

When strong thunderstorms at high speed and strong rotating air columns are formed, it is called tornadoes.

Space Disasters

Impact Events

When space bodies like asteroids or comets collide with each other causing a huge impact, it is called impact events.

Space Disasters

Solar Flares

When an explosion in the sun results in the release of intense and strong radiation, it is called solar flares.

Space Disasters

Gamma-Ray Bursts

When an explosion of gamma radiation originating from distant galaxies radiates, it is called a gamma-ray burst.

Biological Disasters

Pandemics

When a disease outbreak crosses the international border spreading to a large geographical area, it is called a pandemic. Example: COVID-19

Biological Disasters

Epidemics

When a disease outbreaks in a particular region affecting people more than normal, it is called an epidemic. Example: Malaria

Biological Disasters

Zoonotic Diseases

When a disease is transmitted from animals to humans in large numbers, it is called zoonotic disease. Example: Swine flu

Biological Disasters

Vector-Borne Diseases

When there is a large number of infection cases caused by vectors (like mosquitoes, ticks, etc.) carrying diseases, it is called vector-borne disease. Example: Dengue fever.

Other Disasters

Forest Fires

When due to dry conditions, or lightning uncontrolled fire occurs and spreads into forests, it is called forest fires.