Natural Disasters

Definition

Natural disasters are extreme, sudden events caused by environmental factors that injure people and damage property. They include earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, tsunamis, and other geologic processes.

Related terms

Earthquake: A sudden violent shaking of the ground as a result of movements within the earth's crust or volcanic action.

Flood: An overflow of water onto land that is normally dry due to excessive rainfall or other water-related causes.

Hurricane: A storm with violent wind conditions in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean.