Natural Hazards Vocabulary

Front

a natural process or phenomenon that may cause widespread injury, death, or property damage

Back

Natural Hazard

Front

Widespread injury, death, and property damage caused by a natural hazard.

Back

natural disaster

Front

A type of natural hazard that includes thunderstorms, tropical storms, lightning, and tornadoes.

Back

weather hazard

Front

A type of natural hazard that includes earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

Back

Geologic hazard

Front

a fast-moving current of hot gas and volcanic matter that flows along the ground away from a volcano

Back

pyroclastic flow

Front

A powerful wave caused by movement of ocean water after an earthquake, landslide, or a volcanic eruption.

Back

tsunami

Front

intense, rotating thunderstorms that can develop into tornadoes

Back

supercell thunderstorms

Front

What is used to assign a tornado a 'rating' based on estimated wind speeds and related damage?

Back

Fugita Scale

Front

An instrument that responds to ground noises and shaking such as caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and explosions, due to nuclear bombings.

Back

Seismometer

Front

A sensitive inclinometer designed to measure very small changes from the vertical level, either on the ground or in structures.

Back

tiltmeter