5 facts
Explore the powerful forces behind natural disasters like earthquakes, floods, and hurricanes. Discover essential facts, safety tips, and their global impact.
In 1986, this crater lake underwent a limnic eruption, releasing an estimated 100,000–300,000 tons of CO2 that suffocated over 1,700 people and 3,500 livestock in nearby villages. Degassing pipes have since been installed to prevent a recurrence.
Due to its geographical position, the islands are susceptible to hurricanes, particularly from June to November. Significant storms, like Hurricanes Irma and Maria in 2017, have caused widespread damage, highlighting the resilience of the local communities and their ongoing recovery efforts.
Due to its low-lying deltaic geography and location at the confluence of major rivers, a significant portion of Bangladesh experiences annual flooding. This phenomenon, while challenging, also enriches the soil and supports agriculture.
The 1883 eruption of Krakatoa produced a sound so immense it was heard 3,000 miles away and generated atmospheric shockwaves that circled the globe multiple times. Close to the volcano, the sound pressure was lethal, instantly rupturing eardrums and lungs, an unimaginable force of nature.
The Great Chilean Earthquake of 1960, with a magnitude of 9.5, is the most powerful ever recorded. Its rupture zone extended over 620 miles, causing tsunamis that devastated coastal areas across the Pacific Ocean.
