Natural Events and Crisis Vocabulary

Vocabulary terms and definitions extracted from lecture questions regarding disasters, hazards, and systemic changes.

Alter

To change or modify something, such as a school's dress code.

Collapse

To fall down or give way suddenly, which can happen to structures during an earthquake.

Crisis

A time of intense difficulty, trouble, or danger that requires a reaction.

Destruction

The action or process of causing so much damage to something that it no longer exists or cannot be repaired, often caused by natural events.

Hazard

A potential source of danger or risk, for instance, a situation faced by people who ski.

Severe

Something very great, intense, or harsh, such as a powerful storm.

Substantial

Of considerable importance, size, or worth; used to describe a large amount of damage.

Unpredictable

Not able to be foreseen or known in advance, such as the timing or occurrence of earthquakes.