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Natural hazards

   Natural hazards are one of the biggest concerns of man. While there are technological hazards to be concerned about, natural hazards happen far more often than man-made disasters. The threat of a naturally occurring disaster and its potential effect on the environment and inhabitance is great.
    We hear about natural hazards all year around on the news. From Avalanches, earthquakes, and tornados; but, what are all of the natural hazards that may occur in nature that we need to worry about?
      While there are usually location-specific natural hazards we must be concerned about and take into consideration when moving somewhere. Not many people pay much mind to disasters that could occur in the face of a drastic change in weather.
       Some of the most common natural hazards that you will hear about are:

• Avalanches: The large slide of snow or rock down the mountainside.
• Earthquakes: The release of stored energy that radiates in seismic waves throughout the earth.
• Lahar: Mud, rock, and ash sliding down a volcano at a rapid speed.
• Landslide or mudflow: The shift of land or mud down the side of a mountain or hill.
• Sinkhole: A depression of the surface topography or collapse of a cave etc.
• Volcanic Eruption: When a volcano releases its power when active.
• Flood: Heightened water  levels due to rainfall, snow, or rivers.
• Limnic eruption: CO2 erupts from a deep lake which can suffocate wildlife.
• Whirlpool: Swirling body of water produced by ocean tides.
• Maelstrom: The big-brother of the whirlpool.
• Seiche: A standing wave on lakes, reservoirs, bays, or seas.
• Tsunami: A wave of water that is caused by the displacement of a body of water.
• Blizzard: A severe winter storm.
• Drought: A shortage of water.
• Hailstorm: A storm of hail caused by a thunderstorm.
• Cyclonic storm: A storm caused by evaporated water that comes off of the ocean.
• Ice storm: Where ice falls instead of snow.
• Tornado: Violent rotating column of air that can blow at speeds up to 300 mph.
• Wildfire: An uncontrolled fire that burns in the wilderness.