Geology
How Water Made Fire in an Indonesian Volcano
Heavy rains may have set off an outpouring of ash and gases from Indonesia’s volcano Semeru “like uncorking a soda bottle”
Natural Disasters803 articles archived since 1845
Natural Disasters
Twitter Chaos Endangers Public Safety, Emergency Managers Warn
Twitter is a crucial communication tool during disasters, but impersonators and other problems under Elon Musk’s leadership have emergency managers on edge
Climate Change
Warming Worsened West Africa Floods That Killed 800 People
Unusually heavy monsoon rains that caused deadly flooding in Nigeria were made 80 percent more likely by climate change
Natural Disasters
Why California Wildfires Burned Far Less This Year
Though California has seen millions of acres burn from wildfires in recent years as a changing climate brings high temperatures and persistent drought, several factors led to a quiet 2022 fire season...
Weather
Weird Weather: How to Tell a Williwaw from a Haboob
You may have endured a frost quake, pogonip or Saskatchewan screamer without knowing it. Take our tour of weird weather terms to find out
Climate Change
Climate Impacts Threaten Nearly Every Aspect of Life in U.S., Government Report Says
The effects of climate change in the U.S. are steadily worsening and disproportionately affect the most vulnerable residents, a draft report of the next National Climate Assessment finds...
Natural Disasters
FEMA Avoids Past Pitfalls by Rushing Storm Aid to Puerto Rico
Since Hurricane Fiona hit Puerto Rico, FEMA has approved disaster aid for thousands more individuals and households than received aid after Hurricane Maria in 2017
Climate Change
To Survive More Frequent Hurricanes, Puerto Rico Needs to Rethink Preparedness
Our leaders ignored the lessons learned from Hurricane Maria, and Fiona caused more destruction than it should have
Endangered Species
Wildfires Spurred Risky Behavior in Los Angeles Mountain Lions
Already threatened mountain lions in the Los Angeles area crossed busy roads more often and exhibited other risky behaviors after the 2018 Woolsey Fire
Mental Health
How Hurricanes Batter Mental Health
Hurricanes and other disasters exact a mental health toll that can persist without strong communities and support networks
Climate Change
California’s 2020 Wildfires Negated Years of Emission Cuts
Record-breaking wildfires released twice the amount of emissions that California cut between 2003 and 2019, though unlike fossil-fuel emissions, they can eventually be reabsorbed by vegetation...
Climate Change
Hurricane Ian Destroyed Retirees’ Life Savings
Many retirees put their savings into real estate in the parts of southwestern Florida that Hurricane Ian severely damaged
Climate Change
‘Absolutely No Doubt’ That Climate Intensified Current Drought
Global warming made drought that has gripped the Northern Hemisphere, from China to Europe to the U.S., 20 times more likely to occur
Natural Disasters
Ian Sinks Florida ‘Dome Home’ Built to Survive Hurricanes
A house built from geodesic domes off the coast of Florida was designed to withstand gale-force winds and powerful storm surges but not sea-level rise
Climate Change
Hundreds of Hospitals Are at Risk of Hurricane Flooding
Florida hospitals are among the most vulnerable to flooding during hurricanes, but others along the East Coast and Gulf Coast are at risk, too
Natural Disasters
Hurricane Ian Grinds toward Florida with Deadly Winds and Walls of Water
Hurricane Ian poses catastrophic risks to the Gulf Coast of Florida as climate change exacerbates the storm’s effects
Natural Disasters
How to Protect Puerto Rico’s Power Grid from Hurricanes
Energy experts say localized solar plants could strengthen Puerto Rico’s dangerously fragile grid
Climate Change
Why Typhoon Merbok Was So Powerful when It Hit Alaska
Typhoon Merbok heavily damaged Alaskan communities, many of which are Indigenous and rely on subsistence hunting that residents would normally be doing right now
Climate Change
Climate Change Likely Worsened Pakistan’s Devastating Floods
A new analysis finds that extreme rainfall has intensified across Pakistan and could become even more severe as the planet heats up
Climate Change
U.N. Calls for Climate Alert Systems Worldwide in 5 Years
Early-warning systems for heat waves, floods and other hazards can save lives and property across the planet
