An opening in the Earth’s crust from which lava, ash and gases erupt.

A long-term change in the earth's climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average world temperature.

An area of low pressure within the tropics with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the eye of the storm. Winds are powerful eg above 75mph, rainfall is heavy & sea rough due to storm surges

Tectonic plate margin where two tectonic plates slide past each other creating earthquakes. No volcanic activity here.

A rigid segment of the Earth’s crust which can ‘float’ across the heavier, semi-molten rock below. Continental plates are less dense, but thicker than oceanic plates. When they meet oceanic plates subduct(sink) under continental plates.

Tectonic plate margin where rising magma adds new material to plates that are diverging or moving apart. This builds up (constructs) new land. Small earthquakes but mainly volcanic activity here.

A natural hazard caused by movement of tectonic plates (including volcanoes and earthquakes).

Tectonic plate margin where two plates are converging or coming together and the denser oceanic plate is subducted under the less dense continental crust. It can be associated with violent earthquakes and explosive volcanoes.

The effect of an event on the lives of people or community.

A sudden or violent movement within the Earth’s crust followed by a series of shocks.

The after-effects that occur as indirect impacts of a natural hazard, sometimes on a longer timescale, for instance fires due to ruptured gas mains, resulting from the ground shaking in earthquakes.

The effect of an event on the wealth & jobs of an area

The period of geological time from about 2.6 million years ago to the present. It is characterized by the appearance and development of humans and includes the Pleistocene and Holocene Epochs.

The effect of an event on the landscape and ecology of the surrounding area.

Actions taken before a hazard strikes to reduce its impact, such as educating people or improving building design.

This is when a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern, and is especially severe or unseasonal. This may take place over one day or a period of time. A long period of heavy rain, severe snow blizzard, heat wave are examples of extreme weather in the UK.

The initial impact of a natural hazard on people and property, caused directly by it eg ground buildings collapsing following an earthquake.

The probability or chance that a natural hazard may take place.

Attempts to forecast when and where a natural hazard will strike, based on current knowledge. This can be done, to some extent for volcanic eruptions and tropical storms, but less reliably for earthquakes.

The reaction of people as the disaster happens and in the immediate aftermath.

The boundary or margin between two tectonic plates.

Later reactions that occur in the weeks, months and years after the event.

Techniques of controlling, responding to, or dealing with an event.

Action taken to reduce or eliminate the long-term risk to human life and property from natural hazards, such as building earthquake - proof buildings or making international agreements about carbon reduction targets.

Recording physical changes, such as earthquake tremors around a volcano or tracking a tropical storm by satellite, to help forecast when and where a natural hazard might strike.

Changes in the pathway of the Earth around the Sun. This causes the world temperatures to change depending if the orbit was round or more elipitical.

A natural event (for example earthquake, volcanic eruption, tropical storm, flood) that has the potential to cause human damage, destruction and death.

Actions taken to enable communities to respond to, and recover from, natural disasters, through measures such as emergency evacuation plans, information management, communications and warning systems.