Natural DisastersNatural Disasters

Jill BrookesSaks Elementary

Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005

Types of Natural DisastersTypes of Natural Disasters

TornadoesTornadoes HurricanesHurricanes EarthquakesEarthquakes Volcanoes Volcanoes FloodsFloods TsunamisTsunamis Winter StormsWinter Storms WildfiresWildfires

TornadoeTornadoess

Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful thunderstormsthunderstorms

Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major damagedamage

More occur in the United States than anywhere else in More occur in the United States than anywhere else in the world; they occur in every state in America.the world; they occur in every state in America.

Related Websites:Related Websites:FEMA for KidsNational Geographic: Nature’s FuryScholastic Weather WatchNational Geographic: Tornado Chasers

Effects of Tornadoes in Effects of Tornadoes in AlabamaAlabama

Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000

HurricaneHurricaness

Massive severe storms occurring in the tropicsMassive severe storms occurring in the tropics Winds greater than 75 MPHWinds greater than 75 MPH Clouds & winds spin around the eyeClouds & winds spin around the eye Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves, Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves,

and spin-off tornadoesand spin-off tornadoes Related Websites:Related Websites:

NOAA: Hurricanes Tropical TwistersNational Geographic Kids – Hurricane!BrainPop movie

Effects of Alabama Effects of Alabama HurricanesHurricanes

Hurricane Frederick - 1979Hurricane Frederick - 1979 Hurricane Ivan 2005Hurricane Ivan 2005

EarthquakesEarthquakes

Shaking caused by movements of plates in Shaking caused by movements of plates in the earth’s crustthe earth’s crust

Occur along faults – borders between two Occur along faults – borders between two platesplates

Occur most often along the Occur most often along the Ring of Fire Related Websites:Related Websites: National Geographic: Earthquakes Exploratorium Faultline Project USGS: Earthquakes for Kids

VolcanoesVolcanoes

More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; over half in the Ring of Fireover half in the Ring of Fire

Pressure builds below the earth’s surface Pressure builds below the earth’s surface producing eruptions of lava, rock, and producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic gasesvolcanic gases

Related Websites:Related Websites:National Geographic Kids – Volcano!

Build a Volcano Activity

Volcano World Virtual Field Trips

FloodsFloods

Result from heavy rainsResult from heavy rains May involve rivers overflowing, storm May involve rivers overflowing, storm

surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees breakingbreaking

Most common natural hazardMost common natural hazard Flashfloods = floods that happen very fastFlashfloods = floods that happen very fast Related websites:Related websites:

PBS: In Focus – Floods!How TVA Stops FloodsNova – Hot Science: The River’s Gift

TsunamisTsunamis

Form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, or Form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, or landsides under the oceanlandsides under the ocean

Waves grow taller as they reach the coastWaves grow taller as they reach the coast Four out of Five occur in the Ring of FireFour out of Five occur in the Ring of Fire Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05 Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05

Indian Ocean tsunamiIndian Ocean tsunami Related Websites:Related Websites:

National Geographic Kids – Killer Wave!Pacific Tsunami Museum – Student CornerPBS – Savage Earth: Tsunamis

Effects of TsunamisEffects of TsunamisIndian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005Indian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005

Winter Winter StormsStorms

May include snow, ice storms, sleet, freezing May include snow, ice storms, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperaturesrain, and extremely cold temperatures

Most deaths occur in automobilesMost deaths occur in automobiles Storms may cause widespread power outagesStorms may cause widespread power outages Related Websites:Related Websites:

National Weather Service: Winter Storms

Risk Watch: Severe Winter StormsRisk Watch: Severe Winter Storms

Scholastic – Winter StormsScholastic – Winter Storms

WildfiresWildfires

Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded areasareas

Most common causes: lightning and human Most common causes: lightning and human accidentsaccidents

Burn more than 4 million acres in the U.S. Burn more than 4 million acres in the U.S. each yeareach year

Related Websites:Related Websites:

Smokey Bear: KidsSmokey Bear: Kids

National GeographicNational Geographic: Wildfires: Wildfires

Dialogue for Kids – Wildfire FactsDialogue for Kids – Wildfire Facts