Thedestructive nature and unpredictability of these natural disasters makes them a major concern for humans that may inhabit areas where they occur. As the earth continues to warm, these events will unfortunately become more frequent and common. The worksheets found in this section will help students explore the natural disasters that cause an average of over sixty-thousand deaths per year globally. We will look at the most common forms of disasters, their nature, and some of statistics involved. Over the last decade there has been the formation of over a dozen different organizations that are looking into the common thought that these phenomena are becoming more common. The common question that most scientists are struggling with is whether these situations are more common or are we just better connected globally now due to technology, so we know what is happening in more places now.
A tornado can form during a thunderstorm or a hurricane. When a large thunderstorm forms in a cumulonimbus cloud, a change of wind direction and wind speed at a high altitude causes the air to begin to swirl horizontally.
While tornados are usually funnel-shaped, they can also look like a wedge in the sky. Tornadoes are usually about 500 feet in diameter, but they can also be as narrow as a few feet or as large as two miles across.
An earthquake is a shock wave that moves through the earth, usually causing violent shaking of the Earth's surface. There are two main causes of earthquakes: the collision of tectonic plates and volcanic eruption.
A drought is an extended period of dry weather. When an area gets less than its normal amount of precipitation (water that falls from the air in the form of rain, snow, or ice), food crops and other plants don't get the water that they need to grow.
A wildfire is a large, uncontrolled fire that destroys large amounts of land. About 20% of wildfires have natural causes such as lightning strikes, volcanic eruptions, or sparks from falling rocks. The remaining 80% are caused by human carelessness.
Natural disasters are violent events that are outside the control of humans. They are caused by the forces of nature and may result in loss of life, injury, and damage to property. There are many types of natural disaster, including avalanche, drought, earthquake, flooding, hurricane, tornado, tsunami, volcanic eruption, and wildfire.
The best way to predict or tell when natural disasters will occur is to study ones that have already happened. This gives scientists important information about the events that lead up to disasters. It also helps the scientists understand the forces of nature that cause the disasters.
Scientists have developed a good understanding of the factors that lead to hurricanes, tornadoes, and flooding. Predicting events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, however, is much more difficult. Volcanoes may give warning signs, such as leaking gases or spouting lava, before erupting, but sometimes they erupt with no warning at all.
Earthquakes are also difficult to predict. However, scientists are aware of the regions in the world where earthquakes are most likely to occur. In these places they use equipment to monitor any changes that might suggest an earthquake is about to happen.
Most natural disasters are impossible to prevent. The forces of nature that cause them are beyond the control of humans. Their effects, however, may be reduced in several ways: by preparing for natural disasters, by preventing them where possible, and by reducing the impact they have on people.
Developed countries that suffer from earthquakes, such as Japan and the United States, have buildings that can stand up to all but the most powerful earthquakes. Storm shelters can be built to provide a safe place for people to stay during hurricanes and tornadoes.
The effects of natural disasters can be reduced in two main ways. Warning systems can tell people to prepare for a disaster, and relief agencies can help deal with the problems caused by the disaster.
Early warning systems can pick up clues that a natural disaster may occur. They can then send a warning message to the people it might affect. Flood and severe weather warning messages are often broadcast on television, radio, and the Internet.
Places at risk of natural disasters often have evacuation plans in place so people can get out of the area before the disaster happens. People are also taught how to cope when disaster strikes, such as keeping supplies of food and water nearby.
Relief agencies, such as the Red Cross and Red Crescent and Oxfam, help support the victims of natural disasters. These organizations set up temporary camps; provide food, medical care, and education; and help people rebuild their lives if necessary.
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Lesson Objectives and Overview: Natural Disasters teaches students about several types of common dangerous storms. Students will learn what causes these storms and what their effects are. By the end of the lesson, they will be able to identify each type and list their traits. This lesson is for students in 4th grade, 5th grade, and 6th grade.
Every lesson plan provides you with a classroom procedure page that outlines a step-by-step guide to follow. You do not have to follow the guide exactly. The guide helps you organize the lesson and details when to hand out worksheets. It also lists information in the yellow box that you might find useful. You will find the lesson objectives, state standards, and number of class sessions the lesson should take to complete in this area. In addition, it describes the supplies you will need as well as what and how you need to prepare beforehand. For this lesson, make sure you have writing paper and access to some kind of word processing software. You will also need access to the internet.
The Natural Disasters lesson plan contains five pages of content. Students will learn that while disasters can include any number of events, natural disasters are very specific. These catastrophes can only happen by natural processes. Such events occur in populated areas of the world and often cause loss of life, property damage, and economic issues.
Drought: One of the worst natural disasters, droughts happen when there is no rainfall for a long period of time. Human activities like deforestation can also cause droughts. Effects include water shortages, dust bowls and storms, famines, hunger, malnutrition, starvation, and wildfires.
Earthquake: These sudden and violent movements of the earth can be minor, but major earthquakes can topple buildings and bridges. They can cause a lot of property damage and loss of life. They can also cause other disasters, such as tsunamis, fires, avalanches, and floods.
Flood: Floods occur when heavy rain, melting ice and snow, or overflowing bodies of water cover the land where water should not be. These can cause tremendous property damage, sometimes destroying homes or cars completely. They can also contaminate water supplies and destroy farmlands.
Hurricane: With wind speeds up to 160 miles per hour, these giant swirling water storms can cause a great amount of damage. Hurricanes, or typhoons, occur at specific times of the year, which is helpful in regards to preparation.
Tornado: Another of the most dangerous and destructive natural disasters, tornados have wind speeds from 100 to 300 miles per hour. They occur over land and sea. The destructive column of rotating air can come in many shapes and sizes, but they always appear as some kind of funnel.
Wildfire: These major fires mostly happen because of human error, but sometimes happen naturally. They are dangerous and unpredictable and often spread very easily, causing major damage to forests and animal habitats.
Other natural disasters include landslides, avalanches, and volcanoes. The lesson provides some information on these events as well. Students will learn which of these events are predictable and which are not.
Meteorologists, or people who study and predict the weather, know
when the weather conditions are right for thunderstorms. However, one result of violent thunderstorms is a tornado. There is no accurate way to predict if, when, or where a tornado will touch down. Thunderstorm lightning can cause wildfires and knock out power even if no tornado exists.
Regardless of the potential disaster, we need to have a plan. For example, if the electricity goes off, what do we need to ensure we an see and remain warm? Do we have enough water and food to last for a few days?Next, we need to prepare. Flashlights, batteries, matches, and bottled water are all necessities. How much we need depends on how long we think the disaster will last. For example, people who suffer from hurricanes sometimes go ten or more days without electricity and running water.
Finally, we need to practice. If we are in school, we practice fire drills. Similarly, we should practice going through the plans we made so that everyone knows what to do, where to go, and how to contact other family members.
Increased natural disasters such as hurricanes, tornadoes, violent thunderstorms, and winter blizzards may result from climate change. Scientists believe there are more natural disasters today than a few short centuries ago due to global warming. As a result, natural disasters will be more common, intense, and devastating to life today and in the future. Therefore, you must be prepared in the future for more and more intense natural disasters.
The Natural Disasters lesson plan includes three worksheets. Each one will help students solidify their grasp of the concepts in different ways. You can look at the classroom procedure guidelines to know when to hand them out.
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