What Triggers Natural Disasters? A Beginner’s Guide

Natural disasters happen last minute, wasting up killing and destroying everything in their path. Natural disasters can be events like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes, and can cause great things as they develop. But what are these occurrences and what causes them? Realizing the causative events behind natural disasters is the first step to being prepared and being resilient. This guide will discuss the main and significant causes of different earth disasters, and discuss how nature and humans contribute.

Common Types of Natural Disasters and What Causes Them

Here’s a breakdown of what triggers some of the most common disasters around the world.

Triggers of an Earthquake

An earthquake is a sudden shaking of the ground defined as happening somewhere. Most of the time, an earthquake is caused by the movement of tectonic plates located under the surface of the Earth. The tectonic plates are in constant motion of their own which causes them to rub against one another. Otherwise, when pressure is allowed to build up enough, that pressure will cause an earthquake.

Unless an earthquake is due to a mine falling or something similar, earthquakes generally occur along fault lines, or cracks, in Earth's crust, where tectonic plates interact.

The activities of humans, such as drilling, mining, and hydraulic fracturing may have an impact on smaller earthquakes, yet stronger earthquakes will be loaded and released from natural geological processes.

To learn how to stay safe when one strikes, check Earthquakes: Understanding the Phenomenon and How to Stay Safe.

Triggers of Volcanic Eruptions

Volcanic eruptions occur when molten rock (magma) makes pressure under Earth's surface and the pressure is sufficient to release pointedly outwards explosively. Most volcanism occurs at tectonic plate boundaries or hotspots from geologically active areas like the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Melting glaciers as a result of climate change also may impact the possibility of volcanism. When glaciers melt and ice is unloaded, there is less weight on the earth which means eruptions become more likely in some magma generating volcanic areas.

This phenomenon is explored further in Melting Glaciers Could Wake Up Sleeping Volcanoes.

Flood Triggers

Flooding is among the most frequent forms of disaster, and may happen due to:

• Heavy Rain: Heavy rains, or lengthy rains, can trigger river and lake overflows.
• Dam Failure: If either dams or levees fail, water can often be released in large amounts, and travel downstream quickly tom
• Poor Urban Drainage: In many urban areas, clogged drains and paved surfaces will not allow for water drainage into the ground, and can create flash flooding.

In addition to these factors climate change has increased the extreme rainfall events frequency, and can lead to flooding even in places that would typically not be at risk of flooding.

Hurricane and Cyclone Triggers

Hurricanes (cyclones and typhoons also being used, depending on the geographical region) are intense storms that grow over warm ocean water. The two key triggers include:

• Warm Sea Surface Temperatures: Provide energy to the storm.
• Low Atmospheric Pressure: Provides space for the storm to move and spin.
• Seasonal Weather Patterns: Such as El Niño can also create storm activity, and add to hurricane frequency.

As ocean waters rise in temperature due to climate change hurricanes will produce high winds and damage to large areas of land more easily.

Wildfire Causes

Wildfires are rapidly spreading fires which can destroy massive amounts of forest, wildlife, and property. Some wildfires are the result of natural causes or lightning but others are caused by unintentional human negligence.

Main causes of wildfires include:

• Hot and Dry weather
• Lightning Ignition
• Campfires, discarded cigarettes, and downed power lines

Periodically, the risk of severe wildfires which may be caused by changes in climate h as increased in every part of the world because of droughts and heat waves.

Landslides and Avalanche Triggers

Natural causes of landslides and avalanches include:

• Heavy Rainfall or Snowmelt: Weakens the slope.
• Earthquakes: Shake ground free.
• Deforestation: Removes the tree roots which provide stability to the soil.

Construction and roadwork to move earth in hilly areas can further increase the likelihood of avalanches and landslides incidental to disturbing the natural landscape.

How Monitoring Help

Modern science and technology advancements allow us to better predict and respond to disaster events. Early warning systems, satellite imagery and data, artificial intelligence (AI), and machine learning now help us:

• Model and predict earthquakes and tsunamis, and storms
• Real time monitor volcanoes for threats

Conclusion

Natural disasters can strike suddenly, destroying property and lives quickly, but we can protect ourselves if we understand what causes them. Generally, earthquakes, floods and storms occur as a result of the natural processes of our dynamic environment, while many natural disasters can be caused or amplified by humans. Understanding triggers to disasters, methods of early warnings and principles of environmental stewardship can minimize damage and save lives.