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Catastrophic Events
7.8A Catastrophic Events/Natural Disasters
Term | Definition |
---|---|
Catastrophic Events | Extreme weather events such as floods, hurricanes, & tornadoes; classified by the extent & intensity of their impact on the ecosystem. |
Ecosystem | System consisting of all the interactions that occur between the abiotic & biotic factors within an environment. |
Flood | Rising body of water that submerges normally dry land. |
Hurricane | Large, tropical weather system in the northeastern Pacific or northern Atlantic Oceans consisting of an extreme low-pressure air mass with heavy rains & wind speeds of at least 119 km/h (74 mph). |
Tornado | Violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground with wind speeds from 40 to 318 mph. |
Haboob | Large-scale dust storm. |
Wildfire | Large fire that spreads quickly over a natural area. |
Tsunami | Giant wave usually caused by an earthquake beneath the ocean floor. |
Drought | Long period of dry weather. |
Earthquake | Shaking that results from the movement of rock beneath Earth's surface. |
Volcano | Vent in the surface of Earth that emits ash, gases, &/or molten lava. |
Avalanche | Slide of large masses of snow, ice, & mud down a mountain. |
Landslide | Sudden movement of rock & soil down a slope. |
Sinkhole | A hole formed when limestone is dissolved, causing the land above to collapse. |
Natural Disaster | Great destruction or loss of life caused by natural forces rather than by human actions. |
Man-Made Disaster | Widespread damage or loss of life brought about by the action of humans. |