Featured Article: How Wildfires Work
The raging wildfires in southern California have claimed lives and destroyed hundreds of homes. Learn how wildfires start and spread, and find out what firefighters do to battle the blaze. See more »
natural disasters library
Unpredictable forces of nature like tornados and hurricanes can have a devastating impacts on our societies and environment. Learn how natural disasters work and how science aims to better predict them.
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5 Amazing Natural Disaster Videos
Natural disasters can happen with little to no warning. What causes these events, and what happens when people are trapped?
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Can you really fight fire with fire?
At some point in your life, a coach may have enthusiastically told you to "fight fire with fire." Coach, of course, was speaking metaphorically. Do firefighters actually employ this strategy?
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Everyday Science: Flood Quiz
Floods hold a prominent spot in the creation myths of many cultures, and today they kill more people every year than any other weather phenomenon. How much do you know about floods?
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Fact or Fiction: Earthquake Quiz
Earthquakes, like volcanoes, happen all the time -- but most of them are so minor we can't even feel them. They're also similar to volcanoes in that we can't fully predict them, and scientists are always waiting for the next Big One to occur.
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How Avalanches Work
Learn how avalanches form, how long you can stay alive while buried under an avalanche and what steps you can take to survive.
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How Earthquakes Work
An earthquake is one of the most terrifying phenomena that nature can dish up. We generally think of the ground we stand on as "rock-solid" and completely stable. An earthquake can shatter that perception instantly, and often with extreme violence.
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How Floods Work
Flooding has claimed more lives than any other natural disaster. Find out how a gentle stream becomes a raging torrent.
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How Hurricanes Work
How often have you watched a weather forecaster point to a spiral-shaped cloudy mass with a sense of dread and fascination? What fuels these ferocious storms?
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How Lightning Works
Lightning is an incredible force of nature. And like many natural phenomena, lightning is not always what it seems. Go behind the mystery and learn what's really going on when lightning strikes.
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How Sinkholes Work
We tend to think of the ground beneath our feet as terra firma, but sometimes it's as stable as a house of cards. What happens when the Earth opens up to swallow homes, cars and people?
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How to Survive an Earthquake
If the big one struck, would you be ready? No? Then start reading and stocking up on food, water and other essential supplies. And hurry up. For some of you, it's not "if" but "when."
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How Tsunamis Work
The latest death toll for the Indian Ocean tsunami has topped 150,000. While the human and cultural extent of this natural disaster is difficult to grasp, the physical properties that led to it are a bit more within our reach. Learn how a tsunami forms and what happens after it does.
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How Volcanoes Work
Volcanoes are some of nature's most awe-inspiring displays, with everything from exploding mountaintops to rivers of lava. Learn how all the different types of volcanoes work.
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How Wildfires Work
The raging wildfires in southern California have claimed lives and destroyed hundreds of homes. Learn how wildfires start and spread, and find out what firefighters do to battle the blaze.
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Is it true that scientists are predicting a really big earthquake will sink western California?
Is it true that scientists are predicting a really big earthquake will sink western California into the ocean, or break it off from the continent?
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Mount St. Helens Erupts
The Mount St. Helens eruption resulted in almost 60 deaths. Learn more about the Mount St. Helens eruption, from how it happened to the aftereffects.
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Name the Price: Natural Disasters
It's hard to put a price on the lives, homes and irreplaceable historic sites that can be destroyed in natural disasters. But multibillion-dollar price tags can give you a sense of how much damage an earthquake or tsunami caused. Test your history knowledge and see if you know the financial impact of these disasters.
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What if a wildfire came near my house?
Wildfires spread quickly consuming almost everything in their path -- including homes. What can you do if you see the inferno racing toward your home?
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What is a Nor'easter?
Nor'easters typically affect the east coast of the United States during the winter season. What exactly are Nor'easters, though, and how do they form. Find out the answer to this question in this article from HowStuffWorks.
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What is it like in the eye of a tornado?
A tornado can turn a house into toothpicks, but when you think about it, it's really just a funnel of air. What's it like on the inside?
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