Can you list two natural disasters?

Natural disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, volcanoes and tornadoes.

What happens when a volcano erupts?

When a volcano erupts, a hot molten material called lava flows out of the earth! It flows down the volcano where it may destroy anything in its path such as buildings and trees.

This is anything that is capable of causing harm to a living thing (including humans).

What is the job of an engineer as it relates to natural disasters?

Engineers are people that solve problems with the help of math and science. For natural disasters, they design and construct buildings meant to protect people during a disaster. For example, they design buildings that can withstand an earthquake.

What is one way to describe a tsunami?

A tsunami is a very big wave that starts out in a body of water like an ocean. Eventually, the wave makes its way on shore, where it can cause harm to living things and anything in its path.

Natural Disasters Made Easy!

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A simple science lesson on the types of natural disasters for kids in 3rd, 4th and 5th grade!

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NATURAL DISASTER DEFINITION

Earthquakes, volcanoes, tsunamis, hurricanes, and tornadoes are all examples of natural disasters. Natural disasters are natural events that can cause great damage. We can’t stop natural disasters from happening, but engineers and scientists try to minimize their impact.

To better understand the natural disasters definition….

LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!

A volcano is an opening in Earth’s crust.

A volcano is an opening in the Earth that allows molten rock, called magma, from inside the earth to escape. When the magma escapes, it is called an eruption. Volcanoes are formed when molten rock from inside the earth works its way to the surface. Volcanic eruptions may be very destructive/

The Earth’s crust is made up of huge plates that move very slowly. Volcanoes are commonly found along the boundaries between these plates.

Earthquakes cause the Earth to shake.

Just like volcanoes, earthquakes happen in certain regions around the world. An earthquake is a sudden, violent shaking of the ground that sometimes causes great destruction.

A seismograph measures the size of an earthquake. Earthquakes tend to form along plate boundaries, just like volcanoes, but they can also occur in other locations.

When the Earth’s surface along a plate boundary moves suddenly, it causes the ground to shake. Earthquakes can destroy buildings!

Many buildings in California are made to withstand small earthquakes. Engineers are always looking for ways to build stronger and safer structures in areas that have frequent earthquakes.

Earthquakes can cause tsunamis.

cars being moved in muddy water caused by a tsunami

Tsunamis are huge waves caused by an abrupt movement in the ocean floor, often caused by an underwater earthquake.

These waves can travel thousands of miles and reach enormous heights. Since they can travel great distances, people far away can be affected by tsunamis.

For example, an earthquake in Japan can cause a tsunami that affects the coastline of California. Since tsunamis are caused by earthquakes, they usually originate along plate boundaries.

Tsunamis can cause a great deal of flooding, which causes a lot of damage as well as loss of life. Scientists are working on better ways of predicting when and where tsunamis may occur and installing warning systems to protect us.

Humans cannot eliminate these hazards, but we can take steps to reduce their impact.

waves crashing into a concrete wall on the beach

Natural disasters can’t always be accurately predicted, but we can reduce their impact with the help of science and engineering.

Houses near volcanoes typically use different building materials. Some homes are made with stone, since stone has a very high melting temperature and can withstand a lot of heat.

In earthquake zones, buildings that are closer to the ground experience less destruction than tall, thin buildings. Engineers take this into account when designing buildings.

For example, in California, most schools are built with only one level, so they can withstand damage during earthquakes. In areas of the country that are not in earthquake zones, schools can be built with multiple floors.

EXAMPLES OF THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF NATURAL DISASTERS

In areas with volcanoes, engineers have designed homes with steep roofs so volcanic ash can slide off more easily. The roofs are also strong enough to withstand the added weight from the ash.

shiny buildings made to withstand earthquakes

In areas with earthquakes, engineers have designed skyscrapers that sway on purpose when the Earth moves. This adds stability and prevents damage when the Earth shakes.

Storm shutters on a house help protect it from natural disasters

Storm shutters are used to prevent windows from breaking during disasters like a hurricane. It’s a simple solution to prevent a lot of damage. Flying debris can break windows or even hurt people inside.

NATURAL DISASTERS VOCABULARY

Seismograph

An instrument used to record data about earthquakes.

Earthquake

A sudden, violent shaking of the ground caused by movement of giant plates in the earth's crust.

Natural Disasters

Natural events that can cause great damage.

Tsunami

A huge ocean wave caused by a disturbance in the ocean floor. Usually caused by an underwater earthquake.

Volcano

An opening on Earth's surface that allows molten rock, called magma, to escape from inside the earth.

Magma

Molten rock inside the earth.

Earth's Plates

Large, moving slabs of rock that make up the planets outer layer.

Earth's Crust

The outermost layer of the planet.

NATURAL DISASTER DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

How are the formation of earthquakes and volcanoes similar?

Both earthquakes and volcanoes form along plate boundaries. An earthquake is caused by sudden movements in the plates that make up Earth’s crust. Also, at these areas where the plates meet is the ideal place for molten rock to flow the surface and form a volcano!

What are humans doing to help reduce the impact of natural disasters?

They are designing and constructing buildings that can withstand things like earthquakes. They are also testing the best types of materials that can be used to build houses near volcanoes.

Can you think of one constraint or factor that engineers must take into account when designing buildings in areas with a lot of earthquakes?

One important consideration is the height of the building. When a building is very tall and heavy it can crumble or topple over. A building that is closer to the ground can better withstand the shaking.

Why are tsunamis called underwater earthquakes?

These natural disasters begin far off in the ocean. They are big waves that occur when there is an abrupt movement on the ocean floor, usually caused by an underwater earthquake. This means tsunamis originate near plate boundaries.

Why would an engineer not choose material such as concrete when designing an earthquake proof building?

Some building materials are able to resist the shaking of earthquakes due to their properties. Concrete is not the best material to use because it can crack as Earth shakes during an earthquake. This type of cracking can weaken structures, which can be dangerous to living things.