Guide to Natural Disasters

Natural disasters are catastrophic natural events capable of wiping out large tracts of land, causing widespread devastation that severely impacts the habitat (both natural and man-made) and all its inhabitants. They can be caused by extreme weather events, such as hurricans, tornadoes, droughts and floods, or activity within the earth's core, such as volcanoes and earthquakes. Often the devastation is caused by a secondary event, which may be triggered by any of the above, for example tsunamis, fires, or landslides.

For more information on the different types of natural disasters and what causes them, how disasters affect plants and animals, or the affect of global warming on natural disasters, consult the articles in this guide. Discover how to cope with a natural disaster by preparing disaster management strategies, contingency plans, and disaster recovery plans, or learn how to photograph natural disasters to document the event.

Image Credit: Wikimedia Commons/U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Dylan McCord/Public domain