Forces of Nature

We see the destruction that the Earth can unleash in the news on a regular basis. Here you can learn about hurricanes, tornadoes, earthquakes and other forces of nature.

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Why Hurricane Florence's Storm Surge Could Be So Deadly

Even though Hurricane Florence was downgraded to a Category 2, the storm could still unleash an historic amount of rain.

By Sarah Gleim & John Donovan Sep 13, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

Battle Epic: When Hurricanes Clash With Volcanoes

Hurricane Hector is barreling toward the erupting volcano Kilauea. What could possibly be worse?

By John Donovan Aug 7, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

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

Did Africa Just Record Its Hottest Temperature Ever?

Scorching-high temps seem to be the norm this summer. So what does this kind of heat do to your body?

By Mark Mancini Jul 17, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

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

Meteotsunamis: How Winds Can Generate Catastrophic Waves

Tsunamis are triggered by earthquakes and volcanic eruptions on the ocean's floor. But other massive waves are caused by wind and can come on suddenly and without warning.

By Mark Mancini Jun 4, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

Earth Hits 400 Straight Months of Hot

The evidence is clear: Human activities — like the burning of fossil fuels — are the main driving force behind modern climate change.

By Mark Mancini May 31, 2018 Climate & Weather / Atmospheric Science

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

Scorching Heat in Pakistan May Have Set a World Record

The mercury soared to over 122 degrees Fahrenheit in Nawkwabash, Pakistan. It could be the highest April temp ever recorded on the planet.

By Mark Mancini May 7, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

Scientists Predict Record-breaking 2018 Hurricane Season

Scientists across the globe attempt to forecast upcoming hurricane seasons in the Atlantic. But how — and are they right?

By John Donovan Apr 16, 2018 Climate & Weather / Storms

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

Climate Change Threatens the Moai of Easter Island

The danger to the iconic statues is now greater than ever due to erosion and higher-energy wave action caused by climate change.

By Amanda Onion Mar 26, 2018 Climate & Weather / Atmospheric Science

The Amazing, and Alarming, Science Behind Red Snow

Red snow? Yes. It totally exists. And while it might look cool, it's not exactly what you want to see from Mother Nature.

By Mark Mancini Feb 15, 2018 Climate & Weather / Atmospheric Science

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

Lightning Deaths in the US Are Way, Way Down

In the mid-20th century, lightning strikes killed hundreds of Americans each year. Now, that number's dropped to only a few dozen. What's changed?

By Patrick J. Kiger Sep 20, 2017 Climate & Weather / Storms

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

As Earth's Climate Changes, Is It Time to Redefine the Four Seasons?

The four seasons experienced by Earth's midlatitude regions are being gradually altered by global warming — but a climate expert says they won't completely go away.

By Patrick J. Kiger Aug 28, 2017 Climate & Weather / Atmospheric Science