Natural disasters fuel nightmares. When Mother Earth gets angry, she unleashes her emotions, sending earthquakes, cyclones, and typhoons through the world. The scariest part, you never know when a natural disaster may ravage your community. Here is a list of ten natural disasters to keep you awake at night.
1. Hurricane
If you’re from Florida, hurricanes don’t phase you. Each year you board up your windows and have an evacuation plan, preparing for the natural rainstorms to destroy anything in their path. The saddest part about hurricanes is their ability to wipe cities off the map and present irreparable damage to marginalized areas.
2. Earthquake
If you live in California, you’re used to earthquakes, but that unstable shaking rippling through your room doesn’t scare you any less. The upheavals occur when the rocks below the Earth’s surface move around. The aftereffects shake up the location.
3. Flood
My mom’s house flooded when she was seven, and thankfully she escaped from the second story before the water consumed the whole house. The flood ruined all of her family’s belongings. However, they all survived. A heavy rainstorm or a river jam could eat a house.
4. Extreme Heat Waves
Millions of people worldwide have suffered through record-breaking temperatures in recent years. In the U.S., heat is the top cause of weather-related deaths. No, not blizzards, tornados, or hurricanes – it’s heat that’s most likely to kill you. As the planet continues to warm, already-hot places will get hotter. The effect is most profound in urban areas. Extreme levels of heat stress have more than doubled during the past few decades, according to a NASA researcher.
5. Wildfires
We saw the detrimental effects of a wildfire in Canada throughout the U.S. earlier this month. One wildfire in the northern country spread throughout the states, burning homes and establishments, affecting air quality, and stirring up debris and dust. Studies show climate change has lengthened the wildfire season and increased the number of square miles burned. In the U.S. alone, an average of 7 million acres are burned each year. Fire is becoming more dangerous as more people choose to “live in and around forests, grasslands, and other natural areas,” according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Not that you need to live in the woods to be endangered. Cities such as San Diego, Athens, Jerusalem, and Canberra have been threatened by wildfires recently.
6. Volcanic Eruption
Exploring active volcanoes makes for a fun and great tour, but they can erupt at any time. Usually, tour guides don’t tour volcanoes that have erupted recently. Still, there is no telling when the natural structure will explode. A volcano in Hawaii erupted. The Kilauea eruption in Hawaii sustained a 12-day explosion.
7. Tsunami
Other natural disasters result in tsunamis. Hurricanes, volcanic eruptions, and landslides may cause a tsunami, large waves tearing through cities or wilderness. Waves of that size don’t forgive or forget anything.
8. Sinkhole
The ground can create a gaping hole that swallows anything in its path. Sinkholes do not have any draining method attached to them, meaning whatever falls in them stays in. They can open with little to no warning and can be due to natural occurrences or human actions.
9. Landslide
The rock version of an avalanche is a landslide. While minding your business on a mountain, rocks become undone and tumble down the hill at alarming rates, destroying everything in their path.
10. Tornado
If you spot a gust of wind transforming from a breeze into a spiral, and heading toward you, take shelter. Tornadoes form from differing temperatures and moisture in the air, meaning they can happen whenever and move wherever they please.
More From Savoteur
Climate change is a growing concern across the globe, and one of its most significant threats is rising sea levels. With each passing year, the risk of flooding and coastal erosion becomes greater. According to a report from the Union of Concerned Scientists, 15 U.S. cities could be underwater by 2050. Here is a list of those cities and what’s at stake for each.
Put on Your Lifejackets: 14 U.S. Cities That Will Be Underwater by 2050
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
Some of the world’s most breathtaking lakes are in the United States. Yet, not all lakes are created equal, and some are downright dangerous. These 12 lakes make it to the list of the most dangerous lakes in the U.S.
These Are the 12 Most Dangerous Lakes in the United States
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
As summer approaches and beach-goers flock to the coast, it’s important to be aware of the potential dangers that can lurk beneath the waves. From treacherous currents to deadly wildlife, America’s beaches can be beautiful yet perilous. Here are the 15 most dangerous beaches in America.
15 Deadliest Beaches in America: Avoid These on Your Next Vacation
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The world is home to many awe-inspiring bodies of water, and some of the most fascinating are the deep lakes. These lakes boast impressive depths that can leave even the most experienced divers breathless. Here we share the deepest lake in the world, ranked by depth.
Diving to New Depths: Discovering the Deepest Lake in the World
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
Wild swimming is becoming popular with people who love escaping crowds and immersing themselves in nature. However, those looking for unbridled wild should always research where they swim beforehand, lest they find themselves in trouble.
Finding the right wild swimming spot takes a lot of research and monitoring of safety criteria, such as tides, proximity to sewage, and time of day.
An online post is sharing the most dangerous swimming places on Earth. Here are some you should avoid if you value your safety.
The 10 Most Dangerous Places To Swim in the World
