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.

Featured Article: How Floods Work

Flooding has claimed more lives than any other natural disaster. Find out how a gentle stream becomes a raging torrent. See more »

Articles 21-25 of 25

15 Tornado Safety Tips

Tornadoes are dangerous things, so it's important for you and your family to be prepared in the event of one. The United States experiences more tornadoes than the rest of the world due to low-lying geography. See our list of 15 tornado safety tips.

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?

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.

Why do hurricanes seem to move as if they have a mind of their own, and why do they follow such peculiar tracks?

Hurricanes seem to have a mind of their own as they track across the Atlantic Ocean. While they all follow the same general directions, local weather patterns effect where they ultimately land. Find out why hurricanes move the way they do.

Are there more floods now than there used to be?

I read 'How Floods Work,' but I still have a question: Why are there so many more floods now? It seems like there are floods all the time, and it didn't used to be that way. Is it raining more?