Natural Disasters: Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Landslides, Severe Weather, and Climate Change

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to natural disasters, including earthquakes, volcanoes, landslides, severe weather phenomena, and climate change.

Focus (hypocenter)

The underground point where the rupture begins in an earthquake.

Epicenter

The point on the surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.

Tectonic Boundaries

divergent, convergent, and transform boundaries.

P-waves

The fastest seismic waves that are compressional in nature.

S-waves

Seismic waves that are slower than P-waves and cannot travel through liquids.

Surface waves

The slowest seismic waves that are the most destructive during an earthquake.

Earthquake prediction methods

including seismic monitoring and fault maps.

Earthquake mitigation

strong building codes and earthquake-resistant designs.

Volcano prediction methods

monitoring seismic activity and gas emissions.

Volcanic hazards

lava flows, pyroclastic flows, and ash fall.

Landslide triggers

Natural or human-induced events that can lead to landslides, such as heavy rain and deforestation.

Wind shear

The change in wind speed or direction with height, important in storm formation.

Microburst

A small but extremely intense downdraft associated with severe thunderstorms.

Tornado anatomy

The structural components of a tornado, including the mesocyclone and debris cloud.

Hurricane hazards

The major threats posed by hurricanes, including high winds, storm surge, and flooding rain.

Greenhouse gases

Gases that trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to global warming, including CO₂ and CH₄.

Climate change evidence

Indicators of modern climate change, such as rising global temperatures and melting glaciers.

Extreme weather link to warming

The connection between increased temperatures and more severe weather events due to enhanced moisture retention and evaporation.