What are the Types of Natural Disasters?

These disasters originate entirely from deep within the solid Earth, caused by the movement of tectonic plates or volcanic activity.

• Earthquakes: Sudden violent shaking of the ground.
• Volcanic Eruptions: The explosive release of hot lava, ash, and toxic gases from a mountain.
• Tsunamis: Giant ocean waves triggered by massive underwater earthquakes.

These are violent events related to the movement, distribution, and excess or lack of water on the Earth's surface.

• Floods: Overflow of water onto land that is normally dry, usually caused by heavy monsoon rains or broken dams.
• Avalanches: Rapid flow of heavy snow down a mountain.
• Tsunami: (Also falls under this category as it is a water-based destruction).

These disasters are driven by extreme weather, atmospheric changes, and global climate conditions.

• Cyclones / Hurricanes / Typhoons: Massive, violent, rotating storms forming over warm oceans.
• Droughts: A prolonged period of abnormally low rainfall leading to severe water shortage and crop failure.
• Wildfires: Large, uncontrolled fires that quickly destroy forests and dry brush.

These disasters are caused by the rapid spread of living organisms, microscopic viruses, or bacteria that attack humans or crops.

• Epidemics / Pandemics: Global or regional spread of a highly contagious disease (e.g., COVID-19, Cholera).
• Pest Plagues: Massive swarms of insects (like Locusts) that destroy millions of acres of agricultural crops overnight.