Feature Writer: 
A natural disaster is defined as a consequence of a natural hazard occurring on land, sea or air.
Some of the most common natural disasters found on earth are:
- Tornadoes
- Hurricanes
- Earthquakes
- Ice storms
- Tsunamis
- Floods
- Volcanoes
- Heat waves
- Avalanches
- Landslides
- Forest fires
- Blizzards
- Electrical storms
Read about some of the worst natural disasters that have occurred in the world. Discover why these disasters happened and the destruction caused to people and property. Although the forces of nature cannot be tamed, lessons learned from events in the past could minimize the disastrous effects on society and our environment.
In: Natural Disasters (general)
After a fireball falling from the sky smashed into the high plains in the Andes near Lake Titicaca, onlookers who went near the crater become nauseated. more...
Sarychev Peak Volcano, June 12, 2009
In: Volcanoes
Northern Pacific flights bound for Japan, Shanghai and Korea are being cancelled or rerouted due to volcanic ash spewing from the Russian volcano, Sarychev Peak. more...
Crash of Delta Air Lines Flight 191
Unexpected wind shear produced by a microburst caused a disastrous landing at the Dallas-Fort Worth Airport on August 2nd, 1985. more...
In: Tsunamis/Floods
Hurricane force winds from the North Atlantic produced a storm surge in the North Sea and caused widespread coastal flooding by breaching seawalls and dikes. more...
Black Sunday Dust Storm on April 14, 1935
As the large wall of dust clouds roared through the Dust Bowl, the light of day instantly turned into the darkness of night. more...
The Long Beach Earthquake 1933
Poorly constructed buildings, without reinforcement, toppled from Los Angeles to Laguna Beach, resulting in legislation to make structures more earthquake-resistant. more...
Southern Leyte Philippines Landslide 2006
On February 17, 2006, an avalanche of boulders and mud rushed down a mountainside in the Philippine province of Southern Leyte and buried Guinsaugon village. more...
Parkersburg, Iowa Tornado 2008
With maximum wind speeds of 205 mph, a violent tornado swept Butler and Black Hawk Counties in Iowa, leaving a path of destruction for 43 miles on May 25, 2008. more...
All feature articles in Natural Disasters
All contributors in Natural Disasters
Tsunami Warning Creates Chaos in Gisborne, NZ
In: Tsunamis/Floods
By: Sarah Curtis
Thunderstorm and Lightning Safety Tips
By: Mia Carter
Hurricane Preparations for Pets
By: Sharon Chapman
Hurricane Preparations for Staying Home
By: Sharon Chapman
Hurricane Preparations When a Storm is Near
By: Sharon Chapman
All contributing articles in Natural Disasters