Introduction to Natural Hazards

Natural Disasters, Part 1

They used to make blockbusters out of these...

Learning Objective:

• We will predict and describe how different types of catastrophic events impact ecosystems such as floods, hurricanes, or tornados.

What are Natural Disasters?

• Catastrophic events caused by nature.

• Cause changes to Earth’s surface.

• Can have a positive and negative impact on Earth.

• Very hazardous to living organisms.

• Natural Hazard - an event that can cause major damage and cause injury or death to living organisms.

Multiple Choice

What is a Natural Hazard?

• Catastrophic events caused by nature.

• Very hazardous to living organisms.

• An event that can cause major damage and cause injury or death to living organisms.

• Cause changes to Earth’s surface.

Hurricane

An intense storm that forms in the ocean with swirling winds up to 150 miles per hour.

Hurricane

Form over warm ocean water – 80° Fahrenheit or warmer.

Hurricane

Range from Category 1 (74-95 mph) to Category 5 (157 mph or higher) on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Hurricane

Cause severe wind damage and extreme flooding.

Multiple Choice

Where does a Hurricane form?

• Over the ocean.

• Over the land.

• Over warm ocean water.

• Over warm dry land.

Multiple Choice

What can Hurricanes do once they reach land?

• Cause flooding and wind damage.

• Cause the ocean to warm 80 degrees or more.

Multiple Select

How are Hurricanes measured?

• Category 1 (74-95 mph) to Category 5 (157 mph or higher).

• Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Poll

Do we have to worry about Hurricanes in Boston?

• Yes

• No

Tornado

A spinning column of air with wind speeds up to 300 miles per hour.

Tornado

Debris – the remains of anything broken or destroyed.

Debris traveling with a tornado can cause major wind damage buildings, homes, and property.

Tornado

Range from F0 (less than 73 mph) to F5 (261 mph or higher) on the Fujita Tornado Damage Scale.

Multiple Select

Where do Tornados form?

• Over land.

• Over water.

• Tornado Alley.

• Inside thunderstorms.

Multiple Choice

What damage does a Tornado do?

• Major wind damage buildings, homes, and property.

• Causes flooding.

• Causes volcanic eruptions.

Multiple Choice

How are Tornados measured?

• Fujita Tornado Damage Scale.

• Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

Multiple Choice

Do we have to worry about Tornados in Massachusetts?

• Yes

• No

Tsunami

A long, high wave of water caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

Some tsunamis can generate a wall of water over 100 feet high.

Tsunami

Cause major damage due to the crushing force of water.

2004 Indian Ocean tsunami killed over 200,000 people.

Multiple Choice

Why do Tsunamis form?

• Caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption.

• Caused by a Category 5 Hurricane.

• Caused by a Tornado that entered the water.

Multiple Choice

How does a Tsunami cause damage?

• Major wind damage buildings, homes, and property.

• Major damage due to the crushing force of water.

• Cause severe wind damage and extreme flooding.

Poll

Do we have to worry about Tsunamis in Boston?

• Yes

• No

Multiple Choice

What do all of these Natural Disasters have in common?

• Water

• Wind

• Destruction

Poll

What Natural Disasters do you want to Learn about next?

• Volcanic Eruption

• Earthquake

• Flood

• Wildfire

• Drought

Open Ended

How can I make this lesson better? (Mentor Sentence: "You can make this lesson better by...")