Natural hazards can work together in ways that make their effects on people and the environment even worse. Let’s break this down with some important examples:
Earthquakes and Landslides: When the ground shakes during an earthquake, it can cause landslides, especially in areas with mountains. For example, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China was very strong (7.9 on the scale) and caused more than 30,000 landslides. This affected about 1.3 million people.
Volcanic Eruptions and Floods: When a volcano erupts, it can melt snow and ice. This melting can create something called lahars, which are muddy flows that can flood nearby areas. A sad example is the 1985 disaster in Armero, Colombia, caused by a lahar from the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. This event resulted in around 23,000 deaths.
Flooding and Erosion: Heavy rain during floods can wash away soil, especially in places where trees have been cut down. The floods in Southeast England in 2014 caused about £1 billion in damages and made riverbanks erode more quickly.
Cascading Effects: Sometimes, one hazard can cause another, which we call cascading hazards. For instance, a big earthquake might break roads and pipes, which can lead to dirty water and health problems for people.
Every year, about 68 million people are impacted by natural disasters. This shows us how important it is to understand how these hazards can affect each other. Recognizing these connections helps us prepare for disasters and manage our environments better.
Natural hazards can work together in ways that make their effects on people and the environment even worse. Let’s break this down with some important examples:
Earthquakes and Landslides: When the ground shakes during an earthquake, it can cause landslides, especially in areas with mountains. For example, the 2008 Sichuan earthquake in China was very strong (7.9 on the scale) and caused more than 30,000 landslides. This affected about 1.3 million people.
Volcanic Eruptions and Floods: When a volcano erupts, it can melt snow and ice. This melting can create something called lahars, which are muddy flows that can flood nearby areas. A sad example is the 1985 disaster in Armero, Colombia, caused by a lahar from the Nevado del Ruiz volcano. This event resulted in around 23,000 deaths.
Flooding and Erosion: Heavy rain during floods can wash away soil, especially in places where trees have been cut down. The floods in Southeast England in 2014 caused about £1 billion in damages and made riverbanks erode more quickly.
Cascading Effects: Sometimes, one hazard can cause another, which we call cascading hazards. For instance, a big earthquake might break roads and pipes, which can lead to dirty water and health problems for people.
Every year, about 68 million people are impacted by natural disasters. This shows us how important it is to understand how these hazards can affect each other. Recognizing these connections helps us prepare for disasters and manage our environments better.