Natural Disasters

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: Natures Fury Scholastic Weather Watch National Geographic: Tornado Chasers

Tornado Preparation

Visit this website for tornado safety tips for home, school, outdoors, mobile homes, and large buildings. National Weather Service: Tornado!

Tornado Preparation

Visit this website for tornado safety tips for home, school, outdoors, mobile homes, and large buildings. National Weather Service: Tornado!

Effects of Tornadoes in Alabama

Tuscaloosa County: December 16, 2000

Hurricanes

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: Hurricanes Tropical Twisters National Geographic Kids Hurricane! BrainPop movie

Hurricane Preparations

Visit this website to learn more about preparing for the effects of hurricanes and tropical storms. Hurricane Preparedness for Kids

Effects of Alabama Hurricanes

Hurricane Frederick - 1979

Hurricane Ivan 2005

Earthquakes

Shaking caused by movements of plates in the earths 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

Preparing for Earthquakes

Visit this site to learn more about earthquakes. Scroll down through the page to discover valuable tips for earthquake safety. Weather Wiz Kids: Earthquakes

Volcanoes

More than 500 active volcanoes in the world; over half in the Ring of Fire Pressure builds below the earths surface producing eruptions of lava, rock, and volcanic gases Related Websites: National Geographic Kids Volcano!
Build a Volcano Activity Volcano World Virtual Field Trips

Preparing for a Volcano

Visit this site for safety tips before, during, and after a volcano. Weather Wiz Kids: Volcano Safety

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 Rivers Gift

Flood Preparations

Visit this site to learn more about floods, and scroll down to discover important flood safety tips.

Weather Wiz Kids Rain and Floods

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

Tsunami Preparedness
Visit this website for important tips for surviving a tsunami. FEMA Hazards Fact Sheets: Tsunami

Effects of Tsunamis
Indian Ocean Tsunami December 26, 2005

THANKS