A natural disaster is a catastrophic event caused by natural processes of the Earth. These events can overwhelm local capacity and disrupt normal societal functioning.

Key characteristics of natural disasters:

• Natural Origin : They arise from weather, geological activity, or biological conditions.

• Significant Impact : They cause substantial damage, loss of life, economic disruption, and environmental degradation.

• Overwhelms Capacity : The scale of the event exceeds the ability of the affected community to cope using its own resources.

Examples of natural disasters include:

• Earthquakes : Sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.

• Hurricanes/Typhoons/Cyclones : Powerful tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rainfall.

• Floods : Overflow of water onto normally dry land.

• Wildfires : Uncontrolled fires that burn in forests, grasslands, or other wildland areas.

• Volcanic Eruptions : The release of molten rock, ash, and gases from a volcano.

• Tornadoes : Violent rotating columns of air that extend from a thunderstorm to the ground.

• Droughts : Prolonged periods of abnormally low rainfall, leading to water shortages.

For more information, you can refer to resources like:

• United States Geological Survey (USGS): USGS Natural Hazards

• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA): NOAA Weather Hazards