Recent Natural Disasters | Calamities | Hazards

Q: Distinguish between volcanic earthquake and explosion earthquake . A: There are four different types of earthquakes: tectonic, volcanic, collapse and explosion. A volcanic earthquake is associated with volcanic activity due to the movement of magma beneath the surface of the Earth. Volcanic earthquake is caused by slip on a fault near a volcano. An explosion earthquake is an earthquake activity triggered due to the detonation of a nuclear and/or chemical device. According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the underground thermonuclear tests conducted by the U.S. at the western end of the Aleutian Islands in Amchitka in 1971 caused energy release equivalent to a magnitude 6.9 earthquake.

Q: Which country suffered an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011? A: Japan suffered an 8.9 earthquake and tsunami in March 2011. The 2011 Japan earthquake was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. It is the fourth most powerful earthquake in the world. Japanese officials confirmed 15,899 deaths and 6,157 people being injured. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) initially reported as 7.9 Mw earthquake. It was revised to 8.9, then 9.0 and finally 9.1.

Q: When was the 7.1 earthquake in Alaska? A: The last magnitude 7.1 earthquake in Alaska was on November 30, 2018.  The 2018 Alaska earthquake's epicenter was located near Point Mackenzie, about 16 km north of Anchorage. The earthquake's epicenter was located at a depth of 47 km. A federal disaster was declared shortly after the 7.1 magnitude earthquake in Alaska in 2018. The earthquake caused damage of at least US$30 million in Anchorage.

Q: Will earthquake come again in Nepal? What are the Chances/Possibilities? A: Yes, there is no doubt. Numbers of earthquakes are recorded in Nepal on daily basis but they are so small that they are not even felt by the people. If you are asking about an earthquake to occur on fix date and time, I would say it is impossible to predict such things.  According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), "Stating that an earthquake is going to occur today is not really predicting earthquakes. To date, they cannot be predicted. But anyone, on any day, could make this statement and it would be true."  Earthquake prediction may some day become a reality, but only after much more is learned about earthquakes. Meanwhile, you may have heard different rumors. Some turns to be co-incidentally correct. But not every time. Please don't run behind the rumors! What is the possibility of earthquake today? We received several messages asking of possible earthquak

Q: How fast do tectonic plates move on earth? A: The tectonic plates move roughly between 1 and 5 centimetres per year. The movement of tectonic plate on earth is very slow. The movement of tectonic plates varies by the location of the plate as well. The movement of the tectonic plates creates three types of tectonic boundaries. In case of convergent movement, the tectonic plates move into one another. The second one is divergent where plates move apart and transform, where plates move sideways in relation to each other.

Q: Where is national institute of disaster management (NIDM) located in India? A: The national institute of disaster management (राष्ट्रीय आपदा प्रबंधन संस्थान in Hindi) is located in Delhi, India . National Institute of Disaster Management was established in 1995 with a motto of Resilient India- Disaster free India (आपदा प्रतिरोधी भारत - आपदा मुक्त भारत). It was formerly called National Centre for Disaster Management and was upgraded to present status on 16 October 2003.

Q: When will Amphan Cyclone hit in India? A: Amphan Cyclone is expected to make a landfall in India this Wednesday on May 20, 2020. According to the India Meteorological Department, Amphan is likely to cross West Bengal-Bangladesh coasts between Digha (West Bengal) and Hatiya Islands (Bangladesh) on May 20, 2020. Coastal districts of West Bengal are expected to have rainfall until May 20. The states of West Bengal and Odisha are on high alert. Super Cyclonic Storm Amphan is currently active over the Bay of Bengal threatening Odisha and West Bengal in India as well as Bangladesh. This is the first tropical cyclone of the 2020 North Indian Ocean cyclone season.

Q: What type of volcano is Mount St. Helens? A: Mount St. Helens is a composite volcano (or Stratovolcano). According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) , the composite volcanoes are built of layers of alternating lava flow, ash and blocks of unmelted stone. Where is Mount St. Helens located? Mount St. Helens is located in Skamania County, Washington, in the Pacific Northwest region of the United States .  Mount St. Helens is located around 80 km northeast of Portland, Oregon and 154 km south of Seattle, Washington. When did Mount St. Helens erupt? Over the last 500 years, Mount St. Helens has had at least four major explosive eruptions and many minor eruptions. In 2005, Mount St. Helens released a column of smoke and ash nearly six miles high. Mount Saint Helens had its major eruption on May 18, 1980, becoming one of the greatest volcanic explosions ever recorded in North America. At least 57 people were killed during 1980 Mount St. Helens volcanic eruptio

Q: Do I need earthquake insurance as a renter? A: You're generally not required to buy earthquake insurance as a renter. But even if your landlord has earthquake insurance for the building, their policy won’t cover your belongings inside your rental home. If you live in earthquake prone areas and worried about the earthquake damage that would be caused, its better to get separate earthquake insurance policy . Does Renters Insurance Cover Earthquakes? Most standard renters policies don’t cover earthquake damage . And even if your landlord has earthquake insurance, their policy won’t cover your stuff. Earthquake insurance for renters is much less expensive than it is for homeowners. 

Q: What are 2 ‘natural disaster’ events not covered in a basic home policy? A: According to the California Department of Insurance , below are the 2 ‘natural disaster’ events not covered in a basic home policy. Homeowners, renters, and condominium insurance policies do not cover damage from natural disasters such as earthquakes, floods, and landslides. Facts - Earthquake Insurance Your homeowners insurance does not cover earthquake damage. As with most earthquake policies, CEA insurance does not cover landscaping, pools, fences, masonry, or separate buildings.  Earthquake insurance usually does not cover anything that your homeowners policy already covers. Earthquake insurance does not cover damage to your vehicles.  Source: Earthquake Insurance. California Department of Insurance. Retrieved from: http://www.insurance.ca.gov/01-consumers/105-type/95-guides/03-res/eq-ins.cfm

Q: How do seismologists locate the epicenter of earthquakes? A: Seismologists studies seismograms from different recording stations to find out the epicenter of an earthquake. Seismologists use triangulation to find the epicenter of earthquakes .  When seismic data is collected from at least three different locations, it is used to determine the epicenter by where it intersects.  The time difference between the P- and S-waves tells us the distance the earthquake is from the seismograph. By measuring the time difference at three stations, seismologists find out the epicenter of the earthquake. The intersection of the circles, whose radius is equivalent to the distance from the earthquake is used to find the epicenter of the earthquake by seismologists.

Q: When is the next big earthquake in California? A: According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the next big earthquake like 1906 type earthquakes occur at intervals of about 200 years.  There is only a small chance (about 2%) that such an earthquake could occur in the next 30 years. The threat of earthquakes extends across the entire San Francisco Bay region, and a major quake is predicted before 2032.  The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake is the most powerful in Northern California's recorded history. There are more than 500 known, active faults in our great state of California.

Q: How do natural disasters weaken a community's social infrastructure? a. Natural disasters tend to target the poorest members of a community. b. Social systems are unbalanced by the damage caused by natural disasters. c. Natural disasters can cause billions of dollars in property damage. d. The number of natural disasters is increasing across the globe. . A: The correct answer is c. Natural disasters weaken a community's social infrastructure by causing billions of dollars in property damage. Frequency of natural disasters have increased in rapid amount in last several decades. Some types of natural disasters are more common in some places of the world than others. Communities of poor countries are those to have more serious impacts of the natural disaster.  It is important for countries to develop emergency preparedness to be much safer and sustain less damage during an emergency situation caused by natural disasters. Related Post:  How can we pre

Q: What was the costliest natural disaster in the United States history? A: Hurricane Katrina was the costliest natural disaster in the United States history, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). NOAA estimates it caused $160 billion worth of damages to the Gulf Coast in August 2005. NOAA estimates costs adjusted for inflation by calculating both insured and uninsured losses, including damage to homes, businesses, vehicles and lost business. Hurricane Katrina claimed lives of more than 1200 people. Fatalities were reported from Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana.  Hurricane Katrina formed as Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005. Related Post:  Did hurricane Katrina make landfall before or after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami?

Q: Have you ever witnessed an earthquake? What effect did it have on you? In general, the word earthquake is used to describe any seismic event either natural or caused by humans. Here we are talking about the natural cause. A natural disaster is a sudden natural event triggered by environmental factor which can cause loss of life or property damage. Earthquake is one of the common natural disasters worldwide that has claimed several lives causing huge economic losses. You might have also witnessed an earthquake in your time. This is an open discussion to share about any earthquake experienced in your life. Kindly use the comment section below to share your earthquake experiences.

Q: When did Meckering earthquake happened? A: Meckering earthquake happened 14 October 1968. Q: What was the magnitude of Meckering earthquake? A; The magnitude of Meckering earthquake was 6.5 and a maximum Mercalli intensity of IX (violent). The earthquake's epicenter was located in Meckering, a town in western Australia . The earthquake injured around 28 people. No more details is known about the 1968 Meckering earthquake.

Q: What are the odds of being struck by lightning twice in a lifetime? A: The odds of being struck by lightning twice in a lifetime are 1 in 9 million.  Meanwhile, the chances of a human being struck by lightning in a given years is roughly 1 in 7,00,000. Lightning occurs on average 50 to 100 times per second worldwide.

Q: What kind of natural hazards are not normally insurable? a. Earthquakes b. Volcanoes c. Landslides  d. Floods e. Windstorms A: The current answer is landslide. Landslide is one of the above natural hazard which is not normally insurable. About Natural Disaster A natural disaster is a sudden natural event triggered by environmental factor which can cause loss of life or property damage. Earthquakes, floods, landslides, volcanoes, tornadoes, hurricanes, tsunamis, fires etc are some of the common natural disasters worldwide that have claimed several lives causing huge economic losses. Click to learn more about the natural disasters

Q: What was the magnitude of the Northridge earthquake in 1994? A: The magnitude of the Northridge earthquake in 1994 was 6.7. The Northridge earthquake occurred on January 17, 1994, at 4:30 a.m. PST in the San Fernando Valley region of the County of Los Angeles.  The Northridge earthquake in 1994 killed 57 people and injured more than 8,700 others. The earthquake damage was estimated to be $13–50 billion making it one of the costliest natural disasters in the United States . The Northridge earthquake also caused the outbreak of coccidioidomycosis in Ventura County. 

Q: Did hurricane Katrina make landfall before or after the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami? A: Hurricane Katrina made landfall before the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami. Hurricane Katrina was the costliest tropical cyclone on record which formed in August 2005 causing $125 billion damage. Hurricane Katrina claimed lives of 1,200 people. Fatalities were reported from Kentucky, Alabama, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, Mississippi and Louisiana. Hurricane Katrina formed as Tropical Depression Twelve over the southeastern Bahamas on August 23, 2005. The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami was of a magnitude 9.0 which occurred undersea off the coast of Japan on March 11, 2011. It was the most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan. The Tohoku earthquake and tsunami killed 15,899 and injured around 6,157 people. It is the costliest natural disaster in history with economic cost of US$235 billion.