Natural Disasters - What are They and How to Face them?

Hey kids! Welcome back! So this article is about Natural Disasters. Almost every month, there are small or big tragedies happening all over the world. The tragedies or bad happenings which occur naturally are called Natural Disasters. A few examples of Natural Disasters are: Tsunamis, Earthquakes, Wildfires, Volcanic Eruptions, Cyclones, and Floods. In this article, we will be learning about different Natural Disasters, and how to face them. So let us begin!

Tsunamis: 

A tsunami is a long, destructive, high sea wave generally caused by a displacement of large quantities of water. These high sea waves can enter cities or coastlines, and can cause a lot of destruction. These tsunamis can be caused by any other such natural disasters like Earthquakes, Volcanic Eruptions or explosions under or above the water. But tsunamis are actually deadly, and destructive, as their speed is fast and these are strong sea waves. Also, as tsunamis are caused by already caused natural disasters, they are predictable. 

An Example of a Tsunami: 

2011 Tōhoku Tsunami, Japan: In 2011, due to an earthquake 67 kilometers (42 miles) from Japan's Coastline, a 'major tsunami' alert was declared in Japan, of a tsunami of upthrust of 6-8 meters (20-26 ft). It was a serious alert and emergency in Japan's coastline of the Tōkohu region. And when this tsunami hit the coastline, major destruction was caused. A lot of people were injured and died in this natural disaster. 

How to Prepare for a Tsunami: 

Here are a few ways you can prepare for a tsunami:-

1. First protect yourself from an Earthquake. If there are tsunami warnings by the government or some department, it is sometimes likely that an earthquake might occur too. So follow all instructions to protect yourself from an Earthquake. 

2. Evacuate as soon as possible. Whenever you receive a tsunami warning, evacuate the area you are in as soon as possible. Follow all the guidelines by the government/department, if given. 

3. Get to higher ground as the tsunami might not strike at the levels of higher grounds. 

4. Gather all supplies like packaged food, water, first-aid box, torch, emergency candles, local maps, etc. 

5. Also be alerted to the signs of a tsunami, such as the sudden rise of the ocean. 

Earthquakes: 

An Earthquake is a sudden, violent shaking of the earth's ground, which typically causes great destruction. In an earthquake, buildings collapse and fall, roads break, houses fall apart, and destruction occurs. An earthquake can be caused by the earth's crust, even below the ground. So this creates a sudden shake of the ground above the cause of the earthquake caused. The point where the earthquake occurs below the surface of the earth is called the Focus. And the point directly above the Focus is called the Epicenter. Here is the diagram of the same:

The problem with earthquakes is that they cannot be predicted. Even the largest departments and research centers cannot predict Earthquakes. This is due to the reason that we don't have adequate technology or instruments for the same. 

An example of an Earthquake:

1960 Valdivia Earthquake, Chile: An earthquake occurred in 1960, parallel to the city of Valdivia, in Chile, South America. This earthquake is recorded as the worst and largest earthquake in the 20th century. The earthquake is agreed to be of about 9.5 Magnitude, which means that the earthquake was actually very dangerous. This earthquake also caused a lot of destruction. The cities of Valdivia and Puerto Montt experienced major destruction and were majorly destroyed. In fact, this earthquake also caused tsunamis, which travelled through the Pacific Ocean in hours, and hit a lot of places, islands and regions. 

How to Prepare for/Face an Earthquake: 

Here are a few steps to prepare for, or face an earthquake:

1. As we know that earthquakes cannot be predicted, we cannot prepare for an earthquake. However, we can prepare for the same in advance, that for instance if in future we have to face an earthquake, we are already ready to face them. We can plan ahead, for an earthquake disaster. The people who live in the Earthquake Prone Areas, they should especially plan ahead for an earthquake. 

2. Facing an earthquake is hard, but not possible. The easiest way to face an earthquake is to hide under a table, or desk, as earthquakes cause buildings and structures to fall over. So it is better to hide under a hard, and large surface. Another way to face an earthquake is to run to the nearest open free space, where there are no trees, electric poles, wires or any other building. 

3. While facing an earthquake, again, gather all supplies like Fresh Water, Food, and all other supplies you might need for survival. 

Volcanic Eruptions:

A volcanic eruption is a natural disaster when lava, gas and smoke is released from a volcano. To understand volcanic eruptions better, we first need to understand what a volcano is. A volcano is an opening in the earth's crust, which allows lava, volcanic ash, gas and smoke to leave the earth's crust. So hence, when this lava (which is called magma inside Earth's crust), smoke, gas and volcanic ash erupts or comes out from a volcano, a volcanic eruption occurs.

Example of a Volcanic Eruption: 

 

1815 Mount Tambora Volcanic Eruption:  In 1815, was the most powerful volcanic eruption in the whole of human history. This volcano- Mount Tambora is located in Indonesia. This volcanic eruption released a huge amount of ash matter, gases and smoke in the air, as well as the atmosphere. This matter was in so much that it spread all over the world, and there was not any summer in the next year of eruption, that is- 1816! Imagine that the whole is suddenly cooled down with just one volcano! This is what happened in this disaster.

How to prepare/face for a Volcanic Eruption:

There are no special ways to prepare for a volcanic eruption, but it's just the same as it is for other natural disasters. 

1. If you live in a volcano prone area, then whenever the local authorities inform about the predicted volcanic eruption, follow the rules and instructions given by them. Try to evacuate or take shelter in your area. 

2. Also, gather all the supplies required like:- fresh water, food, torch, and most importantly- Respiratory protection (like N-95 masks & oxygen cylinders). 

Tornadoes: 

A tornado is a spinning storm which takes away many things which come in its way, such as cars, trucks, plants, trees and even people. It is a violent rotating storm. According to research, Tornadoes are the most violent storms in nature. Here is an example of a tornado disaster and how to prepare and face it.

Example of a Tornado Disaster:

2013 Moore Tornado: In 2013, a large and very violent tornado came to the large city of Moore, in Oklahoma state, the United States. Oklahoma, and such more surrounding areas were affected majorly by this tornado, which caused 24 casualties, injured 212 people, and caused damage of 2 Billion dollars. This tornado which caused so much damage was recorded as the most dangerous tornado in Oklahoma. 

How to Prepare for/Face a Tornado:

Here are a few ways to prepare for or face a tornado:

1. Head to an underground building area, such as an underground parking lot, building, or underground floor. Tornado mostly only attacks the surface area, so the underground floor most probably won't be affected. 

2. Try to predict a tornado by observing the sky's color and other characteristics. 

3. Take the emergency kit, or the general supplies such as first-aid, fresh water, food, torch and radio with you. 

So kids, these were a few natural disasters, and there are a few more natural disasters apart from just these, and you must follow one same thing for all natural disasters, keep a bag or box of all necessary supplies or needs with you, like:- Food (Mostly packaged), Water, First-Aid, Torch,Mobile Phone, Radio, etc. 

So this is the end of the article. Kids, we hope you liked it! We'll meet again in another article! Till then, Happy Learning!