Hurricane Dorian just blew through my neck of the woods, so I thought it be nice to post some info on natural disasters! :)
"Natural disasters are events caused by forces of nature that cause destruction of life and/or property." (Neok12.com) Common disasters are floods, wildfires, cyclones (hurricanes, tropical storms, tornadoes, typhoons), extreme temperatures (heat waves, ice storms), earthquakes, landslides, drought, volcano eruptions and tsunamis. Fun Fact: Earth isn't the only planet to have these natural phenomena!
PLEASE NOTE: in any natural disaster be prepared to evacuate (especially when you have known information beforehand), and keep a list of contacts on hand in case it's needed. Be cautious and careful and aware when going about, turn off electric/gas and water and if you are hunkering down and holding the fort, fortify yourselves with plenty of water, food, and survival (blankets, first aid kits, etc) supplies, be prepared for loss of power/communication and stay away from the outer walls, windows and doors!
Floods are dangerous flows of water that submerge areas under water. As water has a natural flow that takes water from higher ground to the lower levels and can swoop up anything that isn't attached easily and depending on the extremity of the flow can swoop up anything attached as well (trees, structures, etc). Floods are caused by excess rainfall/ heavy winds (that cause hurricanes, topical storms and cyclones), overflowing rivers, breaking of damns, meting ice/snow. The 4 main flooding types are, flash floods, storm surges, and rapid and slow onset floods. Planting plants/trees help a organic flood prevention! SAFETY TIPS: stay away from power lines/cables, watch out for thunderstorms/lightning, winds and rainfall
Wildfires happen when a fire starts in the wilderness and rural areas, Usually due to lightning/thunderstorms and human actions like not taking proper care of campfires, cigarettes, and lighting appliances. They can occur silently and unnoticed or suddenly with a roar. Wildfires are always quick to burn its surroundings whether it be vegetation or structures. SAFETY TIPS: acquire and maintain smoke alarms, and fire extinguishers, clear yard debris, fireproof/waterproof boxes for important keepsakes and documents, look for downed/ broken power lines and pockets of smoldering ash...and remember our friend Smokey Bear!!!
Cyclones: Water cyclones like tropical storms, hurricanes and typhoons occur when extreme wind and water storms merge together that are caused from the perfect mix of hot and cold wind/water temperatures. SAFETY TIPS: stay away from flood prone areas and watch out for thunderstorms/lightning, winds and rainfall! Mesocyclones (starting as thunderstorms that end in tornadoes) are extreme winds cycloning on/above land (versus it counterpart in/on water). As with all (oe most) natural disasters, when tornadoes touch ground it has devastating effects and is known to destroy anything that moves (and in severe setting anything that doesn't). Warnings of a tornado are calm/still winds and air, dark/greenish sky with big dark low-lying clouds and big hail, loud roaring (like a fright train). SAFETY TIPS: protect your head, put on sturdy shoes and go to ground!...or the lowest level and or most inner rooms like closets and hallways. If caught outside find a low flat ditch or trench and hunker down...and if you see a yellow brick road follow it (haha, just kidding!)
Extreme Temperatures: Extreme Heat (heat waves) are high heats for long periods of time often paired with high humidity. Dehydration along with heat strokes, heat exhaustion and heat cramps and hyperthermia along for the ride. SAFETY TIPS: stay cool protect yourself from the sun!...hats, light and loose/breezy colors, stay shaded (shade windows, under trees/cover of sun), sunglasses, sunscreen, stay indoors as much as possible and drink lots and lots and lots of water! Extreme Cold: temperatures raging in the extreme lows and cold conditions like sleet, snow and ice can and cold rain lead to frostbite and hypothermia; and create conditions for snow storms, blizzards and avalanches. SAFETY TIPS: stay warm and protect yourself from the elements!...hats, gloves, boots, sun/snow glasses coats, long pants and layers, keep dry, be aware of symptoms, (to much shivering, numbness, headaches, high/low heart rate, memory loss, pale/whiteness of skin) and salt/sand walk ways/paths....also I highly advise not to be an ANNA, ELSA, OLAF or KRISTOFF, just in case you wanted to try them out or something....
Earthquakes are "the shaking rolling and sudden shock on the earth's surface." (natural disasters, videos for kids, youtube: learning junction) Whenever the earth's tectonic plates find themselves moving into each other and crating some sort of friction (sliding/gliding, bumping, smashing) or "faulting". it creates an earthquake! I didn't realize there were as many as 20 pieces all moving about! 3 main types are: convergent boundary/thrust fault (one plate is "thrusted" over the other), divergent boundary (plates are forced or "diverged" from each other creating a rift zone) and transform fault/strike slip (the plates "slip" by each other). SAFETY TIPS: drop cover and hold on, if outside find a clear spot away from possible debris...while I have never been through any sort of earthquake this all seems counter productive as it's the GROUND falling apart...
Landslides occurs when land (natural debris like rock, mud and plants) slide their way down a slippery slope (to be picky, I suppose a avalanche is a type of landslide too, but with ice and snow...and "submarine landslides" that happen under water). Causes of this natural disaster are notably from other natural disasters (heavy rainfall, volcanoes) as well as soil erosion and human activity (mining, tree felling). SAFETY TIPS: avoid building by steep slopes, mountain edges, and drainage paths.
Droughts are long periods of time with less then average and adequate water/rainfall causing a shortage of water underground, on the surface and in the atmosphere. The effects affect circularly the soil/crops, people and animals (so basically anything that needs lots of water on a continuous basis to survive), and obviously often lead to shortages of supplies (like water and food) as well. 4 main classifications are agricultural, hydrological, meteorological, and socioeconomic. SAFETY TIPS: save water by reusing it and restricting its/your use.
Volcano Eruptions occur when the earth's innards/guts (magma/lava) gain to much pressure via gas and its minerals and spew. the 3 main types of volcanoes are active, dormant and extinct. They also come in shapes! A volcano or lava dome is mound like and spews the lava resulting into stacks near the vent, Cinder cone volcanoes are lava eruptions that break into smaller pieces and land in "cinders", composite shaped volcanoes spew lava that is a consistency like honey and the shield shaped are the non-erupting easy flowing lava volcanoes. SAFETY TIPS: cover up and protect your skin (long shirts, long pants), eyes and mouth, feet and hands and head from the ash (unless you're part of the Dragon Ball superheros then divert the lava and proceed with caution, lol)
Tsunamis are happenings caused via submarine landsliding/land slumping, underwater volcano eruptions, meteorite crashing into the ocean floor and earthquakes in the ocean floor See a pattern, here? Yes! It all occurs/forms under water! This means all the action forces the water away from the initial disturbance and because it has to go somewhere it causes massive water wave destruction (due to its shallower land to water depth ratio). SAFETY TIPS: hold on to something in the water (swimming will cause a push and pull tension effect pulling you in) and if in a boat go out to sea. On land, go farther inland and to high ground...and remember the only friend to thee waves is Moana (and possibly Ariel but I think that was more cyclone weather...)
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