Climate Change
Climate Change Is Escalating California’s Wildfires
A new analysis finds that dry air and record-breaking temperatures linked to climate change have led to more frequent severe fires in California
Natural Disasters803 articles archived since 1845
Climate Change
These Are the Places at Greatest Risk from Extreme Heat
Communities in certain spots around the world, such as Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea and Central America, are likely to experience record-breaking heat events but may not be prepared
Natural Disasters
Landslides Kill and Hurt Thousands, but Science Largely Ignores These Disasters
Compared with landslides, volcanoes and hurricanes get a lot more attention, as well as research funding
Climate Change
FEMA Will Give Extra Money to States for Low-Carbon Rebuilding after Disasters
As part of its effort to prod the construction industry to go green, the Biden administration is providing new funding for rebuilding with low-carbon materials after disasters...
Weather
Tornadoes at Night and in the Southeast Are Especially Deadly
Population density and a prevalence of mobile homes make the region a hotspot for tornado deaths
Natural Disasters
Earthquake Debris Could Create an Environmental Catastrophe in Türkiye and Syria
After recent earthquakes, Türkiye and Syria continue to grapple with a mass of rubble that could pollute, poison and alter the lives of everyone around it
Climate Change
Australia’s Massive Wildfires Shredded the Ozone Layer—Now Scientists Know Why
Smoke from the catastrophic 2019–2020 fires in Australia unleashed ozone-eating chlorine molecules into the stratosphere
Natural Disasters
Ancient Tsunami Detectives Hunt for Long-Lost Cataclysms
Gigantic tsunamis have been decimating coastlines since time immemorial and hold warnings for our present and future
Natural Disasters
How to Engineer Buildings That Withstand Earthquakes
Though deadly quakes can’t be prevented, science does have some ways to protect buildings—and the people inside them
Climate Change
Ignoring Climate Risks Has Inflated Property Values in Flood Zones
Home buyers are paying excessive prices after ignoring flood risk and the costs of insurance and repairs, a new study finds
Natural Disasters
We May Never Predict Earthquakes, but We Can Make Them Less Deadly
Improvements in how scientists measure plate movement and detect places where stress is building allow them to recognize areas where the likelihood of an earthquake is high
Mental Health
Survivors of Deadly Earthquakes Must Deal with Lasting Trauma
A psychiatrist who has studied the effects of previous devastating quakes explains how the Turkey-Syria earthquake could impact survivors’ mental health
Natural Disasters
Turkey’s Twitter Cutoff Harmed Earthquake Rescue Operations
A temporary Twitter block after the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria shows how vital the platform has become for responding to disasters
Natural Disasters
Why the Earthquake in Turkey Was So Damaging and Deadly
A magnitude 7.8 earthquake that struck Turkey is a rare occurrence and underscores the importance of setting and enforcing building codes
Natural Disasters
Can We Predict Earthquakes At All?
If we can predict hurricanes, floods, and tornados to differing degrees of reliability, why don’t we know when the next big earthquake will come?
Natural Disasters
Disasters Displaced More Than 3 Million Americans in 2022
More than three million adults were forced to evacuate their homes in the U.S. in the past year because of hurricanes, floods and other disasters, according to the Census Bureau
Water
How Water Finally Became a Climate Change Priority
A collaboration helped convince policy makers at COP27 to finally prioritize water as a critical resource affected by climate change. It was a win long in the making
Natural Disasters
Upstart Flood-Damage Insurer Could Pay Claims within Hours
Sensors installed on clients’ buildings detect water levels and immediately trigger the claims process
Climate Change
Double Disaster: Wildfires Followed by Extreme Rainfall Are More Likely with Climate Change
These events can cause devastating landslides and flash floods
Climate Change
More Americans Are Moving into Dangerous Wildfire Zones
A new study that looked at U.S. Census data found that migration patterns are putting more people in the way of wildfires and hot summers
