There are many disasters all over the world every year. They claim lives of many people.
Tsunamis:
Tsunamis are earthquakes under the ocean. On September 6th, 2004 a tsunami occurred. Some tsunamis have short friendly tides and others have tall rough tides. The signs of tsunami are – water accumulating on the shore, too much foam and high tides. If such a thing happens, then go to a high ground or terrace of the closest building.
Earthquakes:
On May 22, 1927 an earthquake took life of 200 humans. Earthquakes happen when two tectonic plates rub against each other. The point where two tectonic plates rub is called the tremor point. Scientists use a magnitude scale to define how strong the earthquake is. These levels on the magnitude scale are –
Extremely safe: 0 to 0.9
Safe: 1 to 1.9
Fine: 2 to 2.9
Mild: 3 to 3.9
Moderate: 4 to 4.9
Okay: 5 to 5.9
Mild danger: 6 to 6.9
Moderate danger: 7 to 7.9
Danger: 8 and above
To stay safe, we must get away from all cars, trees, electric poles, pillars, houses and buildings.
Avalanches:
Avalanches are types of slides. They consist of snow, mud and dirt. They occur when a glacier falls on top of a mountain and mixes with the mud and dirt. It goes down the slope, trapping everything in its path. Avalanches happen as the snowflakes don’t have good enough edges to hold the snow above them. So, they disconnect and mix with the mud. Gravity pulls the mixture and it flows. If you see an avalanche coming down, then go to the strongest place you see or know.
Volcanoes:
Volcanoes can be hard or rough. The molten rock inside is called magma until it erupts. After the eruption, it is called lava. Magma comes in 2 forms – thick and thin.
- Shield Volcanoes: They have a bowl-like structure on top. Their eruption level is medium.
Sinder Volcanoes: Sinder volcanoes have a sinder cone on top. When it erupts, the lava turns into cinders as it shoots up, but not too high. - Composite Volcanoes: Composite volcanoes have thick, heavy lava. They have layers that consist of magma, ash & pumice.
When a volcanic eruption happens, it changes the climate all over the world. Around 1000 years ago, a volcano erupted and formed an ash cloud all over the world. Temperatures dropped everywhere, and it was snowing in parts of US in June and July.
Volcanologists:
Volcanologists are scientists who study volcanoes. Sometimes they research at the research center, while other times they go to volcanic mountains to check temperatures. They wear bulky suits to prevent them from getting too hot.
Once two volcanologists were studying a volcano which suddenly erupted. But their bulky suits prevented them from escaping, resulting in their death.
Mudslides:
Mudslides are similar to avalanches, but they occur in a different manner. When too much snow melts after a volcanic eruption, a mudslide happens. This causes all the ash and dirt to mix with the water and turn into mud. Then gravity pulls it down the mountain and onto the road as it traps everything in its path.
Landslides:
Landslides are types of slides. Rocks and dirt travel down a mountain and destroy everything in their path. Once a landslide happened in the town of Yungay. The landslide was so powerful, that the only things left were 4 trees and a statue!
Rescue Teams:
Because so many people become injured or even die in some cases, specially trained rescue teams come to rescue. First, they drill holes in buildings. Then they send cameras through these holes. They let the rescue team know where the people are stuck. After that, the rescue teams, bring down the people quickly but safely. These rescue teams are restless. Sometimes they get medical treatment and surgeries.
Dogs:
Dogs have a better sense of smell than humans. This helps them to track down people and help people escape too, by just following their dogs!
Did You Know?
1. Alaska has set the world record of the most natural disasters in the past 6 years.
2. Before a natural disaster, especially some earthquakes, animals behave strangely. Dogs don’t want to go out and eagles fly nervously during the day. Scientists wonder if these animals could help us to detect incoming disasters.
3. Did you know that in BCE, a volcano erupted and the city of Pompeii was covered with 6 feet of ash!
