Natural Hazards

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What are natural hazards?

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Natural hazards are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that result in significant damage or destruction to life, property, and the environment.

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What is an example of a natural hazard?

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Examples of natural hazards include earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and tornadoes.

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What is the primary cause of earthquakes?

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Earthquakes are primarily caused by the movement of tectonic plates along faults in the Earth's crust.

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What is a hurricane?

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A hurricane is a large tropical storm system characterized by strong winds, heavy rain, and storm surges.

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What is storm surge?

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Storm surge is an abnormal rise in sea level during a storm, caused by strong winds and low atmospheric pressure.

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What are the effects of wildfires on wildlife?

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Wildfires can lead to the death of animals, loss of food sources, and displacement of wildlife as they search for new habitats.

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Where do most earthquakes occur?

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Most earthquakes occur at or near tectonic plate boundaries.

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What is the relationship between the frequency and severity of natural hazards?

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When natural hazards occur frequently, their severity is often lower, as seen in areas with minor, regular earthquakes.

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What causes flooding during hurricanes?

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Flooding during hurricanes is caused by heavy rainfall and storm surges that overwhelm land and waterways.

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What is the role of tectonic plates in natural hazards?

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Tectonic plates are large sections of the Earth's crust that move and interact, causing earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and mountain formation.