Chapter 7: Natural Disasters
What are natural disasters?
A natural disaster is a sudden event caused by nature, like a flood,
earthquake or tsunami. It leads to a lot of damage and injuries.
1. Earthquake
Meaning:
An earthquake is the shaking of the Earth’s surface. An earthquake is
measured with a seismograph.
Causes:
Plates: Rocks (known as plates) under the Earth’s surface move or
break. When they move, they build up pressure which is released in
the form of an earthquake.
Volcanoes: Heat from volcanoes creates pressure on the Earth’s
surface. This pressure is released in the form of an earthquake.
Digging of mines: By digging for minerals, we create pressure on
rocks which causes an earthquake
Effects:
1. Buildings and houses can fall down.
2. Roads get broken.
3. People and animals can get hurt.
4. Tsunamis are caused
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2. Volcanic Eruption
Meaning:
A volcano is a mountain that throws out hot lava, smoke, and ash.
Causes:
A volcanic eruption happens when hot lava and gases inside the
earth build up too much pressure. When the pressure is too high, the
volcano bursts and everything comes out.
Effects:
Negative Effects Positive Effects
Lava destroys life Makes soil fertile
Habitats and ecosystems get Builds new land
damaged
Ash contaminates water and leads
to breathing problems
Volcanic eruptions cause tsunamis
Ash causes wildfires
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Meaning:
A tsunami are big waves caused in the ocean due to movements in the
Earth.
Causes:
Earthquakes: Earthquakes under the
sea cause the water to make big waves
Volcanic eruptions: The hot lava
from the volcano pushes the water up,
making big waves
Effects:
1. Water comes very fast and floods the
land.
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2. People and animals can drown and get injured
3. Destroys natural habitats along with houses and buildings
4. No access to clean water, which causes diseases
4. Floods
Meaning:
A flood is when there is too much water on usually dry land
Causes:
Heavy Rain: After a lot of rainfall, the ground is unable to absorb
the water. The water gathers and causes a flood
Water bodies: Water after heavy rainfall goes to streams and rivers.
Due to the extra water in the streams and rivers, the water overflows
onto the land.
Dams breaking: Dams hold a large amount of water. Due to heavy
rainfall, the extra water creates pressure on the dam, breaking it. The
dam suddenly releases a lot of water and causes a flood.
Tsunamis and storms
Effects:
1. Houses and roads go under water.
2. People and animals drown or get injured
3. Diseases can spread in dirty water.
Difference between Tsunami and Floods
Tsunami Floods
Starts in the sea Happens on land
Caused by earthquakes or Caused by heavy rains or rivers
volcanic eruptions
Rise in water level
Big, fast-moving sea waves
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5. Drought
Meaning:
A drought is when there is no rain or little rain for a long time, making the
ground very dry.
Causes:
No or very little rain
Hot weather for many days
Effects:
1. Water dries up.
2. Plants don’t get enough water
3. People don’t have water to drink or grow food
4. Hot weather during droughts can cause wildfires
Case Study: The 2015 Nepal Earthquake
On April 25, 2015, a big earthquake shook the country of Nepal.
It was very strong and many buildings, roads, and schools fell down.
Over 9,000 people died and many were hurt.
Many children lost their homes and could not go to school.
The earthquake also caused damage to old temples.
But people around the world sent help — food, water, tents, and
doctors.
Slowly, the people in Nepal began to rebuild their homes, schools,
and lives.
With the help of this case study, we learnt that natural disasters are
extremely damaging and can affect the lives of multiple people. These
disasters happen suddenly, so we should always be prepared and take care
of our Earth. When something bad happens, we should learn to stand up
again, help others, and stay strong together.
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Practice questions
Q1) A volcano throws out
a) Plastic
b) Trees
c) Lava and Ash
d) All of the above
Q2) An earthquake is measured by
a) A scale
b) A stick
c) A sphygmomanometer
d) A seismograph
Q3) What is a natural disaster?
Q4) What causes a tsunami?
Q5) Name three effects of an earthquake.
Q6) What is a drought?
Q7) What did people learn after the 2015 Nepal earthquake?