LESSON

Natural Disasters
Guiding Question: How can physical events in the environment affect
our health?

Discuss how earthquakes affect structures on Earths

surface.
Discuss how volcanoes affect human lives and
property.
Describe tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms.
Discuss the dangers of avalanches.

Reading Strategy Create a three-column table. Label the

first column Hazard, the second column Damages, and the third
column Safety and Preparation. As you read the lesson, fill in the
first column with each physical hazard discussed. Take notes on
the damage each causes and how to prepare for and stay safe
during each.
Vocabulary earthquake, landslide, tsunami, volcano, tornado,
hurricane, thunderstorm, avalanche

ON JANUARY 12, 2010, an earthquake with a magnitude of 7.0

shook the nation of Haiti. Homes and buildings collapsed and thousands
of people were either killed or injured. Huge plumes of dust covered the
capital city of Port-au-Prince, exposing the residents to polluted air.
Earthquakes are just one example of how the forces of Earth, wind,
and water can quickly and completely disrupt our lives. Other examples
of physical hazards that occur naturally in the environment and pose
health hazards include volcanic eruptions and violent storms, including hurricanes and tornadoes. We can do little to predict the timing of
a natural disaster such as an earthquake, and nothing to prevent one.
However, scientists can map geologic faults to determine areas at risk of
earthquakes, engineers can design buildings in ways that help them resist
damage, and citizens and governments can take steps to prepare for the
aftermath of a severe quake.
Some common practices increase our vulnerability to certain physical hazards. Deforesting slopes makes landslides more likely, for instance,
and damming rivers makes flooding more likely in some areas while
preventing flooding in others. We can reduce risk from such hazards by
improving our forestry and flood control practices and by choosing not to
build in areas prone to floods, landslides, fires, and coastal waves.

Earthquakes
The shaking that occurs during an earthquake can destroy
natural landforms as well as human-made structures.
The forces that move mountains are also the ones that create earthquakes.
Earths crust is broken into several large sections called tectonic plates.
These hard plates float on a layer of hot, soft rock. As plates scrape
against each other, sometimes they get stuck and the stress builds up.
When the plates finally move, energy is released. This energy causes the
earth to shake, a phenomenon called an earthquake.

9.4 Lesson Plan Preview

Differentiated Instruction
Advanced students research
and present information about
earthquake-safe structures.
Real World Investigate and
discuss the types of warning
systems that are in place for
severe storms in their area.
Inquiry Students research
and present information on
the factors that contribute to
avalanches.

9.4 Resources
Map It Online Lesson 9.4 Worksheets Lesson 9.4 Assessment
Chapter 9 Overview Presentation
GUIDING QUESTION
FOCUS Ask volunteers to share
any personal experiences they may
have had with a natural disaster,
such as an earthquake, tornado, or
hurricane. For example, have they
experienced one or know someone
who has? Ask them to talk about the
effects the disaster had on them and
others.

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Surface Effects Depending on where they occur, how

much energy is released, and how long the earth shakes,

earthquakes can have extensive effects on Earths surface. For
example, earthquakes can cause the ground to sink and soil
to liquefy. They can also set off landslides, which occur when
rock and soil slide down a slope. When an earthquake triggers
a landslide, it can be a very dangerous event for people nearby.
In 1970, an earthquake in Peru set off a landslide that killed
about 18,000 people.
When an earthquake occurs at the bottom of the ocean, it
can set off a tsunami. A tsunami is a large ocean wave. When
tsunamis hit coastal towns, they can cause massive damage
and loss of life. In December 2004, an earthquake at the bottom of the Indian Ocean generated tsunami waves that killed
more than 200,000 people in Southeast Asia, Sri Lanka, India,
Thailand, and other coastal areas.

Figure 23 Earthquake Damage in Haiti

Earthquake Damage Earthquakes can be incredibly

costly events, both in terms of structural damage and human

life. For example, in Haiti, the death toll is estimated to be
more than 150,000.

Earthquake Safety Scientists cannot predict when

ANSWERS

earthquakes might occur. There are places, however, where

earthquakes are more likely to occur than others. In the
United States, Alaska and California have the most earthquakes (Figure 24). People who live in these high-risk areas
can take precautions to help them survive an earthquake if it
does occur.
If you are caught in an earthquake, try to take cover under
something sturdy. Cover your face and head. Keep clear of
anything that may fall or break on you, such as hanging lights
and windows. Stay away from buildings, power lines, and
streetlights.

Map It
1. Students should notice that the majority of
earthquakes occur where the plates meet.
2. Along the coastlines

Map it
Predicting Earthquakes
Figure 24 shows where the major
earthquakes occurred between 1980
and 1990. The red dots indicate locations of the earthquakes. The orange
lines are the boundaries of the tectonic plates. Study the map and answer
the following questions.
1. Observe What general pattern do
you observe between the location
of earthquakes and the location of
the tectonic plates?
2. Interpret Maps Do most earthquakes take place in the interiors
of the continents or along the
coastlines?
278 Lesson 4

KEY
Figure 24 Earthquakes and
Tectonic Plates
0133724751_a210
Earthquake zones/plates
26p x 14p7
FINAL
12.04.09

Major earthquake
Plate boundary

Volcanoes
The molten rock, gas, ash, and cinders released during a volcanic eruption can cause significant damage and loss of life in nearby
cities and towns.
A volcano is an opening in Earths crust through which lava, ash, and
gases are ejected. When molten rock inside Earth comes to the surface, it
is called a volcanic eruption. In an eruption, rock may seep quietly out of
the land or it may explode. Eventually, the rock hardens and forms a new
rock layer on Earths surface.

Damage From Volcanic Eruptions The molten rock, or lava, that

surfaces in a volcanic eruption can cover large areas of land, destroying

what was once there. Volcanoes can also spew clouds of gas, ash, and cinders into the atmosphere. In 2010, a volcanic eruption in Iceland sent so
much ash into the atmosphere that air traffic between Europe an the rest
of the world was severely disrupted for about 10 days (Figure 25). Clouds
from extreme volcanic eruptions can block the suns rays and cause global
temperatures to drop. Eruptions can also trigger landslides and mudflows.
Mudflows are large masses of soil, rock, and water sliding down a slope.
The 1991 eruption of Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines is a powerful
example of the destructive potential of volcanoes. The valleys surrounding the mountain filled with thick deposits of volcanic material. Deposits
in some areas were over 180 meters (600 feet) thick! The eruption set off
mudflows and sent up a massive ash cloud about 35 kilometers (22 miles)
into the air. Some of the ash settled onto nearby roofs and mixed with
rain. This heavy mix caused roof collapses that killed most of the 300
people who died from the eruption.

Preparing for a Volcanic Eruption Like earthquakes, many

volcanoes are located near the edges of tectonic plates. Scientists monitor volcanoes to try to predict when they will erupt. They cannot tell for
certain the size of an eruption or predict far in the future when one might
occur. However, scientists can sometimes warn people in time to evacuate. Before Mount Pinatubo erupted, scientists warned people far enough
in advance that more than 70,000 people were evacuated.

(a)

Figure 25 Eyjafjallajokull and

Mount Pinatubo (a) The ash trail
from Eyhafiallajokull volcano in Iceland
extended from Iceland to western
Europe disrupting air traffic for days.
(b) Ash from the eruption of Mount
Pinatubo in the Philippines remained in
the air for days, (c) coating villagers as
they left the affected area.

(b)
(c)

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Figure 26 Tornadoes
A tornado often destroys
anything in its path.

Storms
Tornadoes, hurricanes, and thunderstorms are powerful
weather events that can damage property and threaten
human lives.

BIG QUESTION
What is the relationship between
environmental health and our
own health?
Perspective Have students consider
how an individuals perspective
of the impact of natural disasters
on human health is influenced
by where they live. Point out that
earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tornadoes, hurricanes, thunderstorms,
and avalanches occur with differing
frequency in different areas. Have
students choose different areas of
the country. Ask them to research
and share information with the class
about the types of natural disasters
most likely to affect human health in
the area they have chosen.
ANSWERS

Reading Checkpoint A tsunami is a

large ocean wave often caused by an
earthquake. A storm surge is a dome
of water that crashes along the coast
where a hurricane hits.
280 Lesson 4

Geologic forces are not the only physical hazards powerful enough to
devastate towns and cities. Storms, such as tornadoes and hurricanes, can
also claim lives and homes.

Tornadoes A tornado is a type of windstorm in which a funnel of

rotating air drops down from a storm cloud and touches Earths surface.
Funnel wind speeds can reach over 400 kilometers (250 miles) per hour.
Tornadoes can cause incredible damage where they
touch down. Tornadoes can flatten houses, lift cars, and tear the bark off
trees. They can also be deadly. In 2009, twenty-one Americans were killed
by tornadoes. The majority of people who die in a tornado are struck by
flying objects that have been picked up by the strong winds.

Tornado Damage

If you are indoors, seek shelter in the lowest floor of

the building, such as the basement. If you are in a vehicle or mobile home,
get out and find the nearest sturdy building for shelter. If you are stuck
outside, try to find a ditch or a low point and lie face down in it. Try to
protect your head as best as possible.

Tornado Safety

Hurricanes A hurricane is a powerful storm that forms over the ocean

in the tropics. Hurricanes produce winds that are at least 119 kilometers
(74 miles) per hour. When a hurricane strikes land, it brings high winds,
heavy rain, and a storm surge along with it. A storm surge is a dome of
water that crashes along the coast where the hurricane hits.
Reading
Checkpoint

What is the difference between a tsunami and a storm surge?

Hurricanes can destroy buildings, wash away

beaches, and blow away trees. They can also cause severe flooding.
Hurricane Katrina is one clear example of the destructive power of hurricanes. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck land for a second time about 72
kilometers (45 miles) southeast of New Orleans, Louisiana. It had winds
that were about 201 kilometers (140 miles) per hour and a storm surge
over 8 meters (26 feet) high. Its powerful forces caused the levee system in
New Orleans to break. Levees are structures built alongside waterways to
prevent flooding. When the levees broke, water rushed into New Orleans,
eventually submerging about three quarters of the city. Katrina killed
1800 people and caused more than $80 billion in damage.

Hurricane Damage

To prepare for a hurricane, secure your home before

it hits. For example, close storm shutters and clear rain gutters. If local
authorities tell you to evacuate, do so. During the hurricane, try to stay
away from windows. If necessary, take shelter in an interior room under a
sturdy object.

Hurricane Safety

(b)

Figure 27 Hurricane Katrina On

August 25, 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit
the southern coast of the United States
with devastating effect. Katrina caused
widespread devastation along the
central Gulf Coast states of the United
States. Cities such as New Orleans,
Louisiana (a and b), Mobile, Alabama,
and Gulfport, Mississippi (c), bore the
brunt of Katrinas force.

(c)

(a)

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Thunderstorms A thunderstorm is a storm that produces

both lightning and thunder. Thunderstorms also usually produce
heavy rain and sometimes hail. Thunderstorms are common
events. At this very moment, there are probably about 2000 thunderstorms in progress around the globe. But just because they are
common does not mean that thunderstorms are harmless.
Heavy rain from thunderstorms can
cause flooding. Strong winds can take down power lines and trees.
If a severe thunderstorm generates large hail, it can damage crops
and property. And, lightning can start fires and kill people when
it strikes. In 2007, forty-five Americans were struck and killed by
lightning.

Thunderstorm Damage

The best way to stay safe in a thunderstorm is to stay indoors. If you are outside, stay away from tall
objects such as trees and poles. Squat down and keep your head low.

Thunderstorm Safety

Avalanches
An avalanche is a mass of sliding snow that can bury
people and places in its path.
Lightning Bolts
ANSWERS

Lesson 4 Assessment
1. When rock and soil slide down a
slope
2. Sample answer: Lava, ash, and
cinders can bury homes and buildings causing the roofs or even entire
buildings to collapse. Landslides and
mudflows can bury or damage structures that may be in their path.
3. Both hurricanes and tornadoes are
powerful storms that produce strong
winds. A tornado is a funnel of rotating air that drops down from a storm
cloud and touches Earths surface.
A hurricane, on the other hand, is
a storm that forms over the ocean.
When it reaches land it brings heavy
rains and a large storm surge.
4. Staying calm will help you conserve
any air you have.
5. Sample answer: I would look for
the nearest sturdy building. Then,
I would leave my car, go inside the
building, and find the lowest level to
take shelter in.

282 Lesson 4

An avalanche is a mass of snow sliding down a slope. In North

America, a big avalanche might send 300,000 cubic yards of snow
crashing down a mountain. This is roughly equal to 20 football
fields, each filled with snow that is about 3 meters (10 feet) deep.

Avalanche Conditions There are certain conditions that

create the potential for avalanches. Avalanches usually occur on

slopes that are greater than 30 degrees. Another factor is the snowpack, or the layers of snow on the slope. Unstable snowpacks create the potential for an avalanche. A snowpack is unstable when
a layer of hard, strong snow sits on top of soft, weak snow. If the
weak layer gives, the snowpack can break apart and send a mass of
snow sliding down the slope.
Weather is another significant factor for avalanches. Heavy
snowfall adds weight to the snow pack and can trigger an avalanche. Warm temperatures can also influence snowpack stability.
Initially, warm temperatures can melt the top of the snowpack
and increase the potential for an avalanche. However, if periods of
melting and re-freezing occur, the snowpack can actually become
more stable.

Avalanche Damage Avalanches can bury both people and

places in large masses of snow. In 2008 and 2009, twenty-seven

Americans died in avalanches. Avalanches can block roads and
railroad tracks as well as damage phone lines and bridges.

Avalanche Safety Most Americans who die in avalanches are on

the slopes for recreation, skiing, snowboarding, or hiking. The best way
to stay safe while participating in one of these activities is to avoid risky
slopes altogether. If you do get caught and buried by an avalanche, try to
stay near the surface. Swim up through the sliding snow as best you can.
Stay calm and try to conserve any air you have.

Figure 28 Avalanche Damage This

road and bridge have been completely
destroyed by an avalanche.

4
1. Review What is a landslide?
2. Explain Name some ways a volcanic eruption can
damage property.
3. Compare and Contrast How are hurricanes and
tornadoes similar? How are they different?
4. Apply Concepts Why do you think it is important
to stay calm if you are caught in an avalanche?

5.

Suppose you are in a car

driving through a new town. The national weather
service issues a tornado warning for this area. At
the same time, you notice the weather looks threatening. What might you do?

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