Chart 553 - Natural Disasters - 4

Natural Disasters 4 Chart

Spectrum Chart - 553 : Natural Disasters - 4

1. Flood - A flood is an overflow of water on land which is usually dry. Sometimes a river receives too much extra water, either from heavy rain or other natural disasters. When this happens, the water overflows from its normal path in the river bed and onto dry land. This is called a flood. Extreme flooding can also be caused by a tsunami or a large storm that will cause the sea to surge inland. Floods often cause damage to homes and businesses if they are in the natural flood plains of rivers.

2. Tornado - A tornado is a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both the surface of the earth and a cumulonimbus cloud. They are often referred to as twisters. The most extreme tornadoes can attain wind speeds of more than 480 km/h. Tornadoes have been observed on every continent except Antarctica. An EF0 (Enhanced Fujita Scale) tornado will probably damage trees but not substantial structures, whereas an EF5 tornado can rip buildings off their foundations leaving them bare and even deform large skyscrapers.

3. Blizzard – A blizzard is a severe snowstorm characterised by strong sustained winds of at least 35 mph and lasting for a prolonged period of time—typically three hours or more. A ground blizzard is a weather condition where snow is not falling but loose snow on the ground is lifted and blown by strong winds. Blizzards can bring whiteout conditions, and can paralyse regions for days at a time, particularly where snowfall is unusual or rare.

4. Impact Event – An impact event is a collision between objects in space. They happen regularly in planetary systems, such as our Solar System. They most often involve small objects, such as asteroids, comets or meteors. These have relatively little impact. When a large object collides with a planet like the Earth, it can have serious effects on the planet. Depending on the size of the object, much of the impact is reduced by the planet's atmosphere. Smaller objects explode or break apart as they enter the atmosphere. Hundreds of impacts have been reported on Earth.

5. Mudslide – A mud flow or mudslide occurs when mud travels down a slope very quickly. Mudslides, which are like giant moving mud pies, happen when lots of water mixes with soil and rock. The water makes the slippery mass of mud flow quickly down. Mudslides happen most in mountainous places where a long dry season is followed by heavy rains.

6. Dust Storm or Sandstorm – A dust storm or sandstorm, is a storm of small particles of sand and dirt. Dust storms happen when a strong wind front blows loose sand and dust from a dry surface. Particles are picked up and suspended in the air, causing soil erosion where they were. The wind drops them in another place where they can form silt. Dust storms cause soil loss from the dry lands, they preferentially remove organic matter and the nutrient-rich lightest particles, thereby reducing agricultural productivity.

7. Drought - A drought is a period of below-average precipitation in a given region, resulting in prolonged shortages in its water supply, whether atmospheric, surface water or ground water. A drought can last for months or years. It can have a substantial impact on the ecosystem and agriculture of the affected region.

To Buy Chart - CLICK HERE