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Natural Disasters. Jill Brookes Saks Elementary Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005. Types of Natural Disasters. Tornadoes Hurricanes Earthquakes Volcanoes Floods Tsunamis Winter Storms Wildfires. Tornadoes.
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Natural Disasters Jill Brookes Saks Elementary Calhoun County Schools – Technology Integration Project 2005
Types of Natural Disasters • Tornadoes • Hurricanes • Earthquakes • Volcanoes • Floods • Tsunamis • Winter Storms • Wildfires
Tornadoes • Rotating, funnel-shaped clouds from powerful thunderstorms • Winds up to 300 MPH capable of producing major damage • More occur in the United States than anywhere else in the world; they occur in every state in America. • Related Websites: FEMA for Kids National Geographic: Nature’s Fury Scholastic Weather Watch National Geographic: Tornado Chasers
Effects of Tornadoes in Alabama Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000
Massive severe storms occurring in the tropics Winds greater than 75 MPH Clouds & winds spin around the eye Produce heavy rains, high winds, large waves, and spin-off tornadoes Related Websites: NOAA: HurricanesTropical Twisters National Geographic Kids – Hurricane! BrainPop movie Hurricanes
Effects of Alabama Hurricanes Hurricane Frederick - 1979 Hurricane Ivan 2005
Shaking caused by movements of plates in the earth’s crust Occur along faults – borders between two plates Occur most often along the Ring of Fire Related Websites: National Geographic: Earthquakes Exploratorium Faultline Project USGS: Earthquakes for Kids Earthquakes
Volcanoes • More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; over half in the Ring of Fire • Pressure builds below the earth’s surface producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic gases • Related Websites: National Geographic Kids – Volcano! Build a Volcano Activity Volcano World Virtual Field Trips
Floods • Result from heavy rains • May involve rivers overflowing, storm surge/ocean waves, & dams or levees breaking • Most common natural hazard • Flashfloods = floods that happen very fast • Related websites: PBS: In Focus – Floods! How TVA Stops Floods Nova – Hot Science: The River’s Gift
Tsunamis • Form as a result of earthquakes, volcanoes, or landsides under the ocean • Waves grow taller as they reach the coast • Four out of Five occur in the Ring of Fire • Over 200,000 people killed in the 12/26/05 Indian Ocean tsunami • Related Websites: National Geographic Kids – Killer Wave! Pacific Tsunami Museum – Student Corner PBS – Savage Earth: Tsunamis
Effects of Tsunamis Indian Ocean Tsunami – December 26, 2005
Winter Storms • May include snow, ice storms, sleet, freezing rain, and extremely cold temperatures • Most deaths occur in automobiles • Storms may cause widespread power outages • Related Websites: National Weather Service: Winter Storms Risk Watch: Severe Winter Storms Scholastic – Winter Storms
Wildfires • Occur in forests, grasslands, and wooded areas • Most common causes: lightning and human accidents • Burn more than 4 million acres in the U.S. each year • Related Websites: Smokey Bear: Kids National Geographic: Wildfires Dialogue for Kids – Wildfire Facts