Introduction
The world witnessed several natural disasters that claim millions and millions of human lives every year. Natural disasters such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes and tornadoes are the result of a natural hazard which generally moves from potential into an active phase. This may result in serious damage and affects human activities. Additionally, if there is no proper planning and preparedness, it may lead to human vulnerability, leads financial, structural, and human losses.
Hence the loss may depend on the population of the area affected and also the capacity of the population to support or resist the disaster (Bankoff et al. 5-356). Disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes can occur in almost any part of the world. However, with the present scientific advancement, it is possible to predict to a certain extent the risk-prone areas. Therefore it is a good idea to prepare for them (Torrence, and Grattan, 2002).
There is a difference between the harm caused in developed and developing nations due to natural disasters. The developed nations are well equipped to face these disasters when compared to developing nations of the world. A comparison of Natural disasters in developed and developing countries show that the injury and death rates can be up to 100 times higher in the poorer developing countries. This happens because of the financial constraints and the poor living conditions in developing nations (World Bank 1-4). This paper intends to describe three natural disasters (Tornadoes, Earthquakes and Hurricanes) that have claimed several lives and economical damages.
Tornadoes
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air that is in contact with both a cumulonimbus (or, in rare cases, a cumulus) cloud base and the surface of the earth. Tornadoes are of many sizes, however, these are normally in the form of a visible condensation funnel, with the narrow end touching the earth and the broader end touching the clouds. Frequently, it is observed that a cloud of debris also encircles the lower portion of the funnel.
Scientists have measured the speed and they have estimated that most tornadoes have wind speeds of 175 km/h (110 mph) or less. Besides, tornadoes are around 75 m (250 feet) across and travel from one point to another before dissipating. It is also estimated that some tornadoes can even attain wind speeds of more than 480 km/h (300 mph) and can stretch for more than a mile (1.6 km) across, and stay on the ground covering several dozens of miles (Edwards, 2007).
Perkins (2002) in the science news said that “though tornadoes have been observed on every continent except Antarctica, it mostly occur in the United States and have caused serious damages” (Perkins, 296–298). Tornadoes are very frequent in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months.
Statistics suggest that in an average year, 800 tornadoes are recorded that result in approximately 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. Other areas that are prone to tornadoes as cited in the Encyclopedia Britannica (2007) include south-central Canada, south-central and eastern Asia, Southern Africa, northwestern and central Europe, east-central South America, Italy, western and south-eastern Australia, and New Zealand. (Edwards, 2007)
Earthquake
An earthquake is a natural disaster that results from the sudden release of stored energy in the Earth’s crust. This energy results in creating seismic waves. Earthquakes are measured using a seismometer which produces a seismograph. In general, the effects of earthquakes can be felt by common men when they feel the shaking or displacement of the ground.
When an earthquake occurs in the ocean bases sometimes, they cause tsunamis, which may lead to loss of life and destruction of property. One of the most recent tsunamis on the 26th of December, 2004 that hit the Indian Ocean resulted in several deaths. In general, it can be said that an earthquake results when the tectonic plates getting stuck and putting a strain on the ground. Further, this strain becomes so much that rocks give way by breaking and sliding along fault planes. (National Academy of Sciences, 2007)
Scientific studies provide enough proof that earthquakes may occur naturally or as a result of human activities. It is also said that sometimes volcanic activities may also result in smaller earthquakes. Human activists such as mine blasts and nuclear tests may also result in earthquakes. The point at which the earthquake actually begins is called its focus or hypocenter and the point directly above the hypocenter on the ground is called epicentre (National Academy of Sciences 2007).
Earthquakes measured on the Richter scale and a magnitude 7.0 or greater have remained constant throughout the century and according to records have actually seemed to decrease in recent years. Today it is easy to predict earthquakes and as a result of this several preventive measures can be taken. Besides, the construction industry builds earthquake-resistant buildings that have helped to reduce the damage to human life and property.
Hurricanes
Hurricanes are natural disasters that are characterised by large tropical storms with heavy winds. Hurricanes generally contain winds in excess of 74 mph or 119 km per hour and large areas of rainfall. Besides, they have the potential to produce dangerous tornadoes. There are serious damages to life that has resulted from hurricanes. The strong winds and excessive rainfall, in general, produce abnormal rises in sea levels resulting in flooding (Kreger, 2005). According to the National Hurricane Center, “hurricane” is a name for a tropical cyclone that occurs in the Atlantic Ocean.
“Tropical cyclone” is the common term used for low-pressure systems that build up in the tropics. Tropical cyclones with maximum sustained surface winds of less than 17 meters per second (39 mph / 62.7 kph / 34 knots) are termed tropical depressions. Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 17 meters per second (m/s), it is typically called a tropical storm. Further, if winds reach 33 m/s (74 mph / 119 kph / 64 kt), then it is called a “hurricane.”
Hurricanes are very common and every year the hurricane season extends between June 1 and November 30. The most common places of occurrence are the eastern and gulf coasts of the United States, Mexico, Central America and the Caribbean. In the rest of the world, the same types of storms are called typhoons or cyclones. Hurricanes can kill thousands of people and cause billions of dollars of property damage when they hit heavily populated areas. (Kreger, 2005)
Today, with the advancement in technology it is easy to be prepared for these natural disasters. Besides the development of a good communication network has helped to connect the entire world. It is important for both developed and developing countries to be equally prepared for natural disasters. There are several disaster management activities taken up by several government and non-government organizations and has made their contributions at the time of need. Finally, it can be said that it is the preparedness to face natural disasters that are most important.
Work Cited
- Bankoff, G., Frerks, G. and Hilhorst D. (eds.) Mapping Vulnerability: Disasters, Development and People. (2004). pp 5-356. ISBN 1-85383-964-7.
- Edwards, R. The Online Tornado FAQ
- Kreger, C. Hurricanes (2005)
- National Academy of Sciences, Living on an ACTIVE Earth Perspectives on Earthquake Science (2007) THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS, Washington, D.C.
- Perkins, S. (2002-05-11). Tornado Alley, USA. Science News, pp. 296–298.
- tornado.” Encyclopedia Britannica. 2007. Encyclopedia Britannica Online.
- World Bank. Lessons from Natural Disasters and Emergency Reconstruction, 2005 pp. 1-4.
- Cox, John D. Storm Watchers: The Turbulent History of Weather Prediction from Franklin’s Kite to El Nino. Hoboken, NJ: Wiley, 2002.
- Torrence, Robin, and John Grattan, eds. Natural Disasters and Cultural Change. London: Routledge, 2002