Natural Disasters
LGBTQ People Are at Higher Risk in Disasters
A federal report about vulnerability focuses on historically disadvantaged people for the first time
Natural Disasters622 articles archived since 1845
Natural Disasters
A Running List of Record-Breaking Natural Disasters in 2020
The year has already seen many extremes, from California’s and Colorado’s largest wildfires to a tropical cyclone boom
Natural Disasters
Hawaii’s Kilauea Volcano Erupts with Dramatic Lava Fountains
This is some of the most dramatic activity since the floor of one of the volcano’s craters collapsed in 2018
Natural Disasters
Wildfires Blast Smoke Corkscrews to the Top of the Atmosphere
Record-breaking blazes in Australia spewed as many particles into the sky as a volcanic eruption
Natural Disasters
Why Winter Wildfires May Get Worse
Climate change exacerbates hot, dry weather and could drive changes to the fire-fueling Santa Ana winds
Natural Disasters
2020 Is a Record Year for Disaster Shelters, Red Cross Says
The combination of hurricanes, wildfires, and the pandemic meant the organization provided four times as much assistance as in an average year
Weather
In 2020, Record-Breaking Hurricanes Arrived Early—and Often
A record 30 storms have formed, compared to the previous high of 28; almost all were the earliest on record
Climate
Undersea Earthquakes Reveal Sound Warming Info
Travel time differences for sound waves produced by undersea earthquakes in the same place at different times can provide details about ocean warming.
EARTH
Duckbill Dino Odyssey Ended in Africa
A duckbill dinosaur jawbone found in Morocco means that dinosaurs crossed a large body of water to reach Africa.
Natural Disasters
Severe Wildfires Raise the Chance for Future Monstrous Blazes
The complete torching of trees allows dense, low vegetation to sprout, creating a new hotbed for more extreme fire
Natural Disasters
More Frequent, Severe Climate-Fueled Disasters Exacerbate Humanitarian Crises
People have little time to recover when extreme events happen back-to-back, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies warns
Natural Disasters
As the Oceans Warm, Hurricanes Stay Stronger Longer
Storms may not weaken as quickly once they make landfall, allowing them to do more damage
Natural Disasters
Record-Breaking Tropical Storm Eta Drenches Florida
Torrential rains deluged the southern part of the state, with the storm set to hit the Gulf Coast this weekend
Natural Disasters
One Climate-Change Wildfire Risk Lurks in the Dark
Rising nighttime temperatures stymie traditional firefighting methods
Natural Disasters
Colorado Contends with Record-Setting Wildfires
It is unclear how much expected snows would help combat the blazes raging across drought-parched land
Biology
Seabirds Anticipate Typhoons to Help Migrations
Terns seem to pass through just after powerful typhoons
Natural Disasters
Dinosaur Asteroid Hit Worst-Case Place
The mass-extinction asteroid happened to strike an area where the rock contained a lot of organic matter and sent soot into the stratosphere, where it could block sunlight for years...
Natural Disasters
California’s Mega Fires Have Arrived 30 Years Early
Climate models that looked at temperature change could not foresee the effects of drought and fire suppression
Natural Disasters
Natural Disasters May Push Global Finances to the Brink
In the past 20 years, 20 climate-fueled disasters have caused damage to countries worth more than 10 percent of their GDP
EARTH
Faraway Magma Reservoirs Complicate Volcano Monitoring
One third of volcanoes may have molten reserves kilometers away
