Natural Disasters

Unpredictable forces of nature like tornadoes and hurricanes can have a devastating impact on humans and our environment. Learn how natural disasters work and how science aims to better predict them.

Learn More

Vincent van Goat and Friends Help Vanquish Western Wildfires

Wildfires have become a frightening reality in California and elsewhere as climate change creates drastically drier conditions. Using goats to eat underbrush and create firebreaks is now a routine part of the firefighting arsenal.

By Patty Rasmussen Nov 5, 2019 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Why King Tides Are Flooding Coastal Cities More Often

Is climate change to blame for king tides flooding coastal cities more often? Some scientists say yes.

By John Perritano Sep 11, 2019 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

5 Tips to Stay Safe During a Heat Wave

Scientists say the world can expect more heat waves in the future. And the one thing we can't do is take these hot temperatures for granted.

By Sarah Gleim Jul 23, 2019 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

The San Andreas Fault: Is the Big One Coming?

The San Andreas is the most famous and closely watched fault line in the world because of the fear that it could shake, rattle and roll at any time.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jul 16, 2019 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

How to Prepare for a Flood

NOAA is expecting widespread flooding throughout the United States this spring. Are you ready?

By Oisin Curran Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

The 'Big One' Was No Match for Alaskans

Thanks in part to strict building codes, damage from the November 7.0 earthquake was relatively minimal.

By John Donovan Dec 10, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Quiz: Are You Prepared for the Next Disaster?

From hurricanes, to earthquakes, to tornadoes, there's no shortage of potential disasters that can ruin homes and devastate lives. Think you’re ready to survive the next disaster? Take this quiz and find out.

By Nathan Chandler Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

The Logistics of Evacuating Entire U.S. Coastlines

When Mother Nature is at her worst, the state and federal governments often step in to protect U.S. citizens. But moving masses of people away from the coast isn't an easy feat.

By John Donovan Sep 21, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

California Burning: Why the Carr Wildfire Is a Whopper

The Carr fire in Northern California is currently the sixth-largest in the state's history. How did it get so out of control?

By John Donovan Aug 2, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Do We Need a Category 6 for Hurricanes?

Or do we just stick with the five categories we already have?

By John Perritano Jul 24, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Swamps and Wildfires: A Dangerous Combination

A fire can burn for years, yes years, in a swamp. What's the deal?

By Mark Mancini Jul 2, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Why Flash Floods Are So Dangerous

Both dry and over-saturated soil can contribute to flash flooding. Can anything be done to prevent them from becoming catastrophic?

By Mark Mancini Jun 14, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Fissures, Quakes and Lava: Explaining Kilauea's Volcanic Crisis

To date 14 massive fissures have opened up near Kilauea, and the Big Island has been rocked by repeated earthquakes. Do these geological events foreshadow a massive volcanic eruption?

By Mark Mancini May 10, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Infrasound Can Detect Tornadoes an Hour Before They Form

We may not be able to hear infrasound, but we sure can use it to detect tornadoes.

By Christopher Hassiotis May 9, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Scientists Record Volcanic Thunder for the First Time

Volcanic eruptions are loud. Very loud. But nobody's ever been able to capture the roar of the thunder they create. Until now.

By Mark Mancini Mar 30, 2018 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Marijuana Farmers Hit Hard by California Wildfires

California cannabis farmers could lose everything in the wildfires.

By John Perritano Oct 16, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Centuries of Volcano Death Statistics, Newly Analyzed for Your Reading Pleasure

New research digs into historic volcano fatalities to explore how, where and whom a volcano is most likely to kill.

By Jesslyn Shields Oct 12, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Why Some People Choose to Shelter In Place

When a major storm is barreling down, the reasons why some people choose to shelter in place are complicated.

By John Perritano Sep 14, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Evacuee or Refugee: What Do We Call People Displaced by Natural Disasters?

Words matter when talking about those seeking shelter from the storm. What's the difference between hurricane evacuees and refugees?

By Patrick J. Kiger Sep 12, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Why Is Hurricane Irma So Powerful?

Historic Hurricane Irma is being supercharged by the effects of climate change heating Earth's oceans.

By Ian O'Neill, Ph.D. Sep 9, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

What It’s Like to Experience a Category 5 Hurricane

'You really can't describe to anybody what it's like to sit through a hurricane,' says Ruth Clark, who lived through Hurricanes Camille and Katrina.

By Dave Roos Sep 7, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

What Hurricane Categories Really Mean

Hurricanes are the strongest storms on the planet. How we categorize them has helped save lives.

By John Perritano Sep 7, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Why the Inside of a Tornado Gets Super Cold, Leaves You Gasping for Air

Researchers from Montreal's Concordia University have figured out why the air inside a tornado vortex is cooler and less dense than the surrounding air.

By Patrick J. Kiger Jan 24, 2017 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters

Is a Double Hurricane Something You Should Start Freaking Out About?

What happens when two unpredictable storms show up to dance? And what about when one finally heads out to sea — then abruptly turns inland again for a one-two punch?

By Jesslyn Shields Oct 6, 2016 Forces of Nature / Natural Disasters