Natural Hazard

Natural Hazards and Natural Disasters

Directions

After each slide or video, answer the question(s) before going to the next slide or video.

Natural Hazard

A naturally occurring event that can have a negative effect on humans or the environment is called a natural hazard. Natural hazards include floods, storms, droughts, avalanches, wildfires, earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes, tornadoes, and volcanic eruptions. Natural hazards also include the spread of disease and space-related hazards such as meteorite impacts. Humans cannot control the causes of natural hazards. However, understanding these events can help humans find ways to make these events less destructive. Humans can identify areas where natural hazards are likely to occur and find ways to prepare for these events.

Natural Disaster

Any natural hazard can become a natural disaster if it causes widespread injury, death, or property damage. A natural disaster may occur in only one small area, or it may cover large areas—even several countries. As the human population increases, the number

of natural disasters increases as well. Whenever a natural hazard affects a heavily populated area, the chance of it becoming a natural disaster increases.

Weather and Climate Hazards

Geologic Hazards

Earthquakes, Tsunamis,

and Volcanoes