Safety Docs.docx

Natural Disasters Natural disaster “Acts of God” are naturally occurring phenomena. Natural disasters are changes that may cause damage to the shape of the land or to the lives of people and other living things. Great changes happen deep inside the Earth and on its surface. The changes on the outer part of the Earth happen because of different kinds of weather. TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTERS: 1. Earthquake An earthquake is a violent shaking of the ground. Sometimes it is so strong that the ground splits apart. When parts of the earth, called plates, move against each other giant shock waves move upwards towards the surface causing the earthquake. 2. Hurricane A hurricane is an intense, rotating oceanic weather system that possesses maximum sustained winds exceeding 119 km/hr (74 mph). It forms and intensifies over tropical oceanic regions. Hurricanes are generally smaller than storms in mid-latitudes, typically about 500 km (311 miles) in diameter. At the ocean’s surface, the air spirals inward in a counterclockwise direction. This cyclonic circulation becomes weaker with height, eventually turning into clockwise (anticyclonic) outflow near the top of the storm. 3. Flood A flood is caused by an overflow of water which covers the land that is usually dry. Floods are caused by heavy rain or by snow melting and the rivers burst their banks and overflow. Costal floods are caused by high tides, a rise in sea level, storm waves or tsunami (earthquakes under the sea). 4. Wildfire The term “wildfire” is used for uncontrolled fire that destroys forests and many other types of vegetation, as well as animal species. In some regions of the world wildfires are caused by lightning however, nowadays many fires are caused by people, either accidentally, as a consequence of carelessness, or arson. These fires often get out of control and spread very easily over vast areas. Depending on the type of vegetation or material being burnt, they are also called: forest fires, bush fires, grass fires, or peat fires. 5. Tornado A tornado is a violently rotating column of air, which extends from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most powerful tornadoes are capable of producing speeds greater than 250MPH.

Damage in the path of a tornado can spread more than one mile wide and 50 miles long. 6. Avalanche An avalanche, also called a snow slide or snow slip, is a rapid flow of snow down a sloping surface such as a mountainside. Avalanches are caused when the snowpack (or layers of accumulated snow) is disturbed or weakened by events such as new or heavy snowfall, deforestation, earthquakes or even natural movement of animals. 7. Volcanic eruption Volcanic eruption is a natural event in which lava, ash and many gases a re expelled from a volcanic vent. There are many different types of eruptions but in terms of activity, can be categorized as either explosive or effusive. Explosive eruptions are primarily gas-driven explosions that propel magma and fragmented lava. Effusive eruptions, however, involve outpouring of lava as a thick, sticky liquid without a significant eruption. 8. Drought A drought is a continuous or extended period of dry spell caused by lack of rainfall and other forms of precipitation. Depending on the severity, droughts can last up to a month or several years and have n adverse impact on the ecosystem, agriculture and economy of the affected areas. A drought can result in prolonged shortages in water supply and loss in water quality, loss of biodiversity and agricultural output, creation of deserts, famines and malnutrition, increased pollution levels and diseases as well as mass migration and displacement of human and animal life. 9. Tsunami