Natural Disasters

  1. Hydrometeorological Disasters
    1. Tropical Cyclones
      1. Cyclone Terminology and Regional Names
        1. Hurricanes (Atlantic and Eastern Pacific)
          1. Typhoons (Western Pacific)
            1. Cyclones (Indian Ocean and South Pacific)
              1. Tropical Storms
              2. Formation Requirements and Processes
                1. Environmental Conditions
                  1. Sea Surface Temperature
                    1. Atmospheric Instability
                      1. Low Wind Shear
                        1. Sufficient Coriolis Effect
                        2. Genesis Mechanisms
                          1. Tropical Waves
                            1. Monsoon Troughs
                              1. Upper-level Divergence
                            2. Cyclone Structure and Dynamics
                              1. Eye Characteristics
                                1. Eyewall Properties
                                  1. Spiral Rainbands
                                    1. Outflow Patterns
                                      1. Pressure Distribution
                                      2. Life Cycle Stages
                                        1. Tropical Disturbance
                                          1. Tropical Depression
                                            1. Tropical Storm
                                              1. Hurricane/Typhoon
                                                1. Extratropical Transition
                                                  1. Dissipation
                                                  2. Intensity Classification
                                                    1. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale
                                                      1. Typhoon Intensity Scales
                                                        1. Cyclone Intensity Scales
                                                          1. Pressure-Wind Relationships
                                                          2. Cyclone Hazards
                                                            1. Wind Damage
                                                              1. Sustained Winds
                                                                1. Wind Gusts
                                                                  1. Tornado Formation
                                                                  2. Storm Surge
                                                                    1. Surge Generation
                                                                      1. Coastal Flooding
                                                                        1. Wave Action
                                                                        2. Rainfall and Flooding
                                                                          1. Rainfall Patterns
                                                                            1. Flash Flooding
                                                                              1. River Flooding
                                                                            2. Cyclone Forecasting
                                                                              1. Track Prediction
                                                                                1. Intensity Forecasting
                                                                                  1. Landfall Timing
                                                                                    1. Uncertainty Communication
                                                                                    2. Historical Cyclone Analysis
                                                                                      1. Major Hurricane Events
                                                                                        1. Cyclone Climatology
                                                                                          1. Trend Analysis
                                                                                        2. Tornadoes
                                                                                          1. Tornado Formation Environment
                                                                                            1. Supercell Thunderstorms
                                                                                              1. Atmospheric Instability
                                                                                                1. Convective Available Potential Energy
                                                                                                  1. Lifted Index
                                                                                                  2. Wind Shear
                                                                                                    1. Speed Shear
                                                                                                      1. Directional Shear
                                                                                                      2. Mesocyclone Development
                                                                                                      3. Tornado Structure and Dynamics
                                                                                                        1. Funnel Cloud Formation
                                                                                                          1. Vortex Characteristics
                                                                                                            1. Multiple Vortex Tornadoes
                                                                                                              1. Tornado Families
                                                                                                              2. Tornado Classification
                                                                                                                1. Enhanced Fujita Scale
                                                                                                                  1. EF0 through EF5 Categories
                                                                                                                    1. Damage Indicators
                                                                                                                      1. Degree of Damage
                                                                                                                      2. Wind Speed Estimation
                                                                                                                      3. Tornado Climatology
                                                                                                                        1. Tornado Alley
                                                                                                                          1. Seasonal Patterns
                                                                                                                            1. Diurnal Variations
                                                                                                                              1. Geographic Distribution
                                                                                                                              2. Detection and Warning
                                                                                                                                1. Doppler Radar Signatures
                                                                                                                                  1. Spotter Networks
                                                                                                                                    1. Warning Lead Times
                                                                                                                                      1. False Alarm Rates
                                                                                                                                      2. Tornado Safety
                                                                                                                                        1. Safe Rooms and Shelters
                                                                                                                                          1. Warning Response
                                                                                                                                            1. Mobile Home Safety
                                                                                                                                              1. School and Workplace Protocols
                                                                                                                                            2. Floods
                                                                                                                                              1. Flood Types and Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                1. Riverine Floods
                                                                                                                                                  1. Overbank Flooding
                                                                                                                                                    1. Ice Jam Floods
                                                                                                                                                      1. Snowmelt Floods
                                                                                                                                                      2. Flash Floods
                                                                                                                                                        1. Urban Flash Floods
                                                                                                                                                          1. Desert Flash Floods
                                                                                                                                                            1. Dam Break Floods
                                                                                                                                                            2. Coastal Floods
                                                                                                                                                              1. Storm Surge Flooding
                                                                                                                                                                1. Tsunami Flooding
                                                                                                                                                                  1. King Tide Flooding
                                                                                                                                                                  2. Groundwater Floods
                                                                                                                                                                  3. Flood Causes and Mechanisms
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Meteorological Factors
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Intense Precipitation
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Prolonged Rainfall
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Snowmelt Events
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Rain-on-Snow Events
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Hydrological Factors
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Soil Saturation
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Frozen Ground
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Channel Capacity
                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Human Factors
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Urbanization Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Land Use Changes
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Infrastructure Failures
                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Flood Hydrology
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Watershed Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Runoff Processes
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Peak Discharge Calculations
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Flood Frequency Analysis
                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Floodplain Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Floodplain Mapping
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Flood Insurance Rate Maps
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Zoning Regulations
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Floodway Designations
                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Flood Forecasting and Warning
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Hydrological Models
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Real-time Monitoring
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Ensemble Forecasting
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Warning Dissemination
                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Flood Control Measures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Structural Controls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Dams and Reservoirs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Levees and Floodwalls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Channel Modifications
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Non-structural Controls
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Floodplain Zoning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Flood Insurance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Early Warning Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Droughts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Drought Definitions and Types
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Meteorological Drought
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Precipitation Deficits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Standardized Precipitation Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Hydrological Drought
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Streamflow Deficits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Groundwater Depletion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Reservoir Levels
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Agricultural Drought
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Soil Moisture Deficits
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Crop Stress Indicators
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Evapotranspiration Rates
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Socioeconomic Drought
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Water Supply Shortages
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Economic Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Social Disruption
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Drought Causes and Mechanisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Atmospheric Circulation Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Climate Oscillations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. El Niño Southern Oscillation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Pacific Decadal Oscillation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Land-Atmosphere Interactions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Human Water Demand
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Drought Monitoring and Indices
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Palmer Drought Severity Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Standardized Precipitation Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Vegetation Health Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Soil Moisture Monitoring
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Drought Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Agricultural Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Crop Yield Reductions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Livestock Stress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Irrigation Demands
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Water Supply Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Municipal Water Shortages
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Industrial Water Constraints
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Hydroelectric Power Reductions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Environmental Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Ecosystem Stress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Wildlife Habitat Loss
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Increased Fire Risk
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Economic and Social Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Agricultural Losses
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Water Pricing Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Migration Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Drought Management
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Water Conservation Measures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Drought Contingency Planning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Water Allocation Policies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Emergency Response Protocols
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Extreme Temperature Events
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Heat Waves
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Heat Wave Definitions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Meteorological Conditions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. High Pressure Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Atmospheric Blocking
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Heat Dome Formation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Urban Heat Island Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Surface Temperature Differences
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Nocturnal Cooling Reduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Building Density Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Health Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Heat Stress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Heat Exhaustion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Heat Stroke
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Vulnerable Populations
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Infrastructure Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Power Grid Stress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Transportation Disruption
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Building Performance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Heat Wave Mitigation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Cooling Centers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Public Health Warnings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Urban Planning Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Cold Waves and Winter Storms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Cold Wave Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Arctic Air Mass Intrusions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Polar Vortex Events
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Blizzard Conditions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Snow Accumulation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Wind Speed Criteria
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Visibility Reduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Ice Storms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Freezing Rain Formation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Ice Accumulation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Infrastructure Damage
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Cold Weather Health Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Hypothermia
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Frostbite
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Cardiovascular Stress
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Winter Storm Preparedness
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Emergency Supplies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Heating System Maintenance
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Transportation Safety
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Wildfires
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Fire Science Fundamentals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Fire Triangle Components
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Fuel
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Oxygen
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Heat
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Fire Tetrahedron
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Chemical Chain Reaction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Combustion Process
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                3. Wildfire Causes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Natural Ignition Sources
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Lightning Strikes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Spontaneous Combustion
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Volcanic Activity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        2. Human-caused Ignitions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Arson
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Equipment Malfunctions
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Campfires and Debris Burning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Power Line Failures
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Fire Behavior Factors
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Weather Influences
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Wind Speed and Direction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Temperature and Humidity
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Atmospheric Stability
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Topographic Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Slope Angle
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Aspect
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Elevation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Terrain Features
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Fuel Characteristics
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Fuel Type and Load
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Fuel Moisture Content
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Fuel Arrangement
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Fire Spread Mechanisms
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Convection
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Radiation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Conduction
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Spotting and Ember Transport
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Wildfire Types
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Ground Fires
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Surface Fires
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Crown Fires
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Prescribed Fires
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Fire Weather and Danger Rating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Fire Weather Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Haines Index
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Red Flag Warnings
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Fire Danger Rating Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Ecological Role of Fire
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Fire-adapted Ecosystems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Fire Return Intervals
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Succession Patterns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Biodiversity Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Wildfire Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Direct Fire Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Vegetation Mortality
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Soil Heating
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Air Quality Degradation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          2. Indirect Fire Effects
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Erosion and Sedimentation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Water Quality Changes
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Habitat Fragmentation
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Human and Infrastructure Impacts
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Structure Loss
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Evacuation Requirements
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Economic Costs
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Fire Management Strategies
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Fire Prevention
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Fire Suppression
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Prescribed Burning
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Fuel Management

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        Go to top

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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        4. Extraterrestrial and Space Weather Disasters