Question 1

What is a natural disaster?

Accepted Answer

A natural disaster is a big event caused by nature, like a storm, earthquake, or flood, that can hurt people and damage buildings and the land.

Question 2

How do earthquakes happen?

Accepted Answer

Earthquakes happen when the giant pieces of rock under the Earth's surface slide past each other. This movement causes the ground to shake.

Question 3

What causes a tsunami?

Accepted Answer

A tsunami is a giant wave in the ocean usually caused by an underwater earthquake or volcano. When the ground moves a lot underwater, it pushes the water up and creates big waves.

Question 4

Why does it rain so much during a hurricane?

Accepted Answer

Hurricanes are big storms that form over ocean water, and they pull in lots of moisture from the sea. This moisture turns into heavy rain when the storm moves over land.

Question 5

How does a volcano erupt?

Accepted Answer

A volcano erupts when hot, melted rock from inside the Earth, called magma, rises up and bursts out of the ground. This can be very hot and dangerous.

Question 6

Why do tornadoes spin?

Accepted Answer

Tornadoes spin because they form in storms where winds from different directions meet, causing the air to twist and turn. This spinning air forms the funnel shape of a tornado.

Question 7

What are floods?

Accepted Answer

Floods happen when there is too much water, usually from heavy rain, that rivers or lakes can't hold. The water spills over onto the land, covering roads and sometimes entering homes.

Question 8

What damage can natural disasters cause?

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters can damage buildings, roads, and crops. They can also cause power outages and make it hard for people to find safe drinking water.

Question 9

Can people predict natural disasters?

Accepted Answer

Scientists can use special tools to predict some disasters, like storms and floods, but they can't always predict others, like earthquakes. It's important to be prepared just in case.

Question 10

Why do we have natural disasters?

Accepted Answer

Natural disasters happen because of natural processes in the Earth and atmosphere, like the movement of tectonic plates or weather patterns. They are just parts of how our planet works.

Question 11

What should you do during an earthquake?

Accepted Answer

During an earthquake, find a safe place away from windows and heavy objects. You should drop to the ground, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops.

Question 12

How are wildfires started?

Accepted Answer

Wildfires can start from lightning or a very hot and dry climate. Sometimes people accidentally start them by not putting out campfires properly or dropping matches.

Question 13

What is a drought?

Accepted Answer

A drought is a long time without enough rain, which makes it hard for plants and animals to find water. It can also impact the water supply for people.

Question 14

Why do some places have more natural disasters than others?

Accepted Answer

Some places have more natural disasters because of where they are located, like being near an ocean or on top of a fault line. The weather patterns and the landscape can also make a difference.

Question 15

What is a landslide?

Accepted Answer

A landslide happens when rocks and dirt suddenly slide down a hill or mountain. This can happen after heavy rain or when the ground becomes unstable.

Question 16

How do people stay safe during a hurricane?

Accepted Answer

People stay safe by going to a strong building, and staying inside, away from windows. They might also leave the area if local officials say it's too dangerous to stay.

Question 17

What's the difference between a hurricane and a tornado?

Accepted Answer

A hurricane is a giant storm with strong winds and lots of rain that forms over warm ocean water. A tornado is a smaller but very powerful spinning column of air that can form during storms on land.

Question 18

What are avalanches, and how do they occur?

Accepted Answer

Avalanches are large amounts of snow and ice that quickly slide down mountains. They happen when new snow piles up on top of older snow, and the layers become unstable.

Question 19

How do scientists study natural disasters?

Accepted Answer

Scientists use special instruments like seismographs for earthquakes and weather radars for storms. They gather data to understand natural disasters better and help predict when they might happen.

Question 20

Can animals sense natural disasters before they happen?

Accepted Answer

Some animals seem to sense danger before we do, like when dogs bark or become restless. We don't know exactly how, but it might be because they can hear or feel things humans can't.

The Wonder of Natural Disasters - 20 FAQs Explained Simply