Natural disasters E-Book

Thomas Schröter

• Herausgeber: tredition
• Kategorie: Wissenschaft und neue Technologien
• Sprache: Englisch

Seitenzahl: 84

Veröffentlichungsjahr: 2025

Beschreibung

In "Natural Disasters," Thomas Schröter examines the complex causes, effects, and historical contexts of natural disasters that have shaped humanity throughout history. From geological events such as earthquakes and volcanic eruptions to meteorological phenomena such as hurricanes and floods to biological disasters such as epidemics and pandemics – the book offers a comprehensive overview of the various forms of natural disasters and their interactions with climate change. Each chapter illuminates the specific characteristics and dynamics of each disaster type and addresses how social, economic, and ecological factors influence the vulnerability of communities. Schröter combines scientific findings with compelling case studies and historical examples to illustrate the urgency of responsible management of our environment and the risks of climate change. This book is not only a contribution to understanding the complex interrelationships between natural events, but also a compelling call for global action to protect people and nature. "Natural Disasters" is aimed at anyone interested in environmental issues, students of geoscience, climate research, and public health, and readers who want to gain deeper insight into the challenges and opportunities of a changing world.

Leseprobe

Natural disasters

written by

Thomas Schröter

Foreword

The world we live in is characterized by the majestic power of nature, which offers us both breathtaking beauty and shattering devastation. Natural disasters, whether in the form of earthquakes, hurricanes, floods or wildfires, are part of this natural dynamic that both challenges and shapes our existence. In this book, "Natural Disasters", I want to shed light on the complexity of these events and explore the many causes, effects and responsibilities we have towards our environment.

Natural disasters are not just geophysical phenomena; they are also social, economic and psychological challenges that affect millions of people worldwide. Their consequences are often catastrophic and impact not only those directly affected, but also have far-reaching effects on communities and nations. The urgency to develop effective prevention and response strategies is now more important than ever, especially in the face of climate change and the associated increase in extreme weather events.

This book does not claim to cover all aspects of natural disasters. Rather, it is a contribution to the discussion on the importance of knowledge, education and international cooperation in disaster risk reduction. I want to raise awareness of the fragility of our environment and emphasize the need to take both individual and collective responsibility.

I hope that readers will not only find valuable information in this book, but also be inspired to actively participate in shaping a more sustainable and resilient future. Let's work together to understand how we can harness the power of nature to protect both our communities and our planet.

Thomas Schröter

Introduction

Definition and overview of natural disasters

Natural disasters are extreme, sudden natural events that cause serious damage to people, the environment, property and infrastructure. They are caused by geophysical, meteorological, hydrological or climatic processes that are beyond human control. They often have very different regional impacts and often affect poorer and more vulnerable population groups more severely, as they are less resilient.

A key characteristic of natural disasters is their unpredictability and the impossibility of preventing them completely. Although it is possible to predict some events such as hurricanes and floods, it is not always possible to determine precisely when and where a disaster will occur.

Common types of natural disasters:

Geophysical events: Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis caused by tectonic movements or volcanic activity.

Meteorological events: Storms, hurricanes, tornadoes caused by atmospheric disturbances.

Hydrological events: Floods, landslides caused by heavy rainfall or melting glaciers.

Climatic events: Heat waves, droughts and cold spells that are closely linked to the effects of climate change.

Causes and amplification by human influences

While natural disasters are largely due to natural causes, humans have often contributed to exacerbating risks through activities such as deforestation, urbanization and the use of fossil fuels. Climate change is causing weather events to become more extreme and unpredictable, leading to more frequent and intense natural disasters.

Impact on society and the environment

Natural disasters have a devastating impact on affected regions. Human lives are lost, entire cities and infrastructures are destroyed and the environment is often permanently damaged. There are also secondary consequences such as famine, epidemics or economic crises. Poorer countries in particular often find it difficult to recover quickly from such disasters.

Relevance in a globalized world

In a globally networked world, the effects of natural disasters are not only felt locally, but also internationally. Global supply chains are interrupted, refugee movements are triggered and international relief efforts become necessary.

Overall, coping with natural disasters remains one of the greatest challenges facing humanity in the 21st century.

Causes and effects of natural disasters

Causes of natural disasters

Natural disasters are caused by a variety of natural processes that often interact with each other and trigger complex events. These causes can be divided into different categories:

Geological causes:

Earthquakes: These are caused by movements of tectonic plates that build up tension in the earth's crust. These tensions are suddenly released and cause tremors.

Volcanic eruptions: The pressure build-up of magma in the earth's interior causes eruptions that release lava, ash and gases.

Tsunamis: Often caused by undersea earthquakes, landslides or volcanic eruptions, they lead to gigantic waves that wreak havoc on coastal regions.

Meteorological causes:

Hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones: These tropical cyclones are caused by the evaporation of warm seawater, which leads to an intense rotation of the air.

Tornadoes: Formed by violent temperature differences between cold and warm air and develop extremely strong wind speeds.

Floods: Heavy rainfall, river flooding or snowmelt often lead to floods that inundate land and destroy habitats.

Hydrological causes:

Droughts: Result from long periods without sufficient rainfall. They can be exacerbated by climate patterns such as El Niño or climate change.

Mudslides and landslides: Usually triggered by heavy rainfall or earthquakes, landslides can destabilize entire slopes and bury houses, roads and infrastructure.

Climatic causes:

Climate change: global warming is making weather extremes such as heatwaves, droughts and heavy rainfall more frequent and more intense. Rising sea levels exacerbate the risk of coastal flooding.

El Niño/La Niña: These climatic phenomena influence weather conditions worldwide and can lead to changes in precipitation patterns, storms and droughts.

Effects of natural disasters

The effects of natural disasters are diverse and affect both human society and the environment:

Human casualties:

Natural disasters often result in numerous fatalities. Sudden events such as earthquakes or tsunamis can claim thousands of lives in a matter of minutes.

Injuries, psychological trauma and the loss of loved ones lead to long-term social and health consequences for survivors.

Destruction of infrastructure:

Natural disasters destroy houses, roads, bridges and power grids. Reconstruction often takes years and costs enormous amounts of money.

Hospitals, schools and other important facilities become unusable, which jeopardizes social services for the population.

Environmental destruction:

Floods and storms destroy ecosystems and make entire regions uninhabitable.

Forest fires destroy huge areas of forest and endanger animal species and biodiversity.

After a volcanic eruption, the ash can affect the atmosphere and cool the climate for a short time.

Economic consequences:

Agricultural production can be severely affected by droughts, storms or floods, leading to food shortages and price increases.

Infrastructure destruction and production losses lead to considerable economic losses, especially in developing regions.

Reconstruction causes high costs and can burden a country's economy for years.

Social and political impacts:

Social inequality is often exacerbated by natural disasters, as poorer population groups are more severely affected and slower to recover.

Natural disasters can lead to migration movements if people are forced to leave their homes (e.g. climate refugees).

Political instability can be fostered by natural disasters, especially if governments are unable to respond effectively.

Summary

Natural disasters have both natural and human-induced causes. They have a devastating impact on lives, the environment and the economy, and combating them poses an immense challenge. Climate change in particular is expected to increase the intensity and frequency of such disasters, requiring global efforts in prevention and adaptation.

Historical development of natural disasters

The history of mankind is closely linked to natural disasters. They have shaped civilizations, destroyed cities and influenced the course of history. Although natural disasters have been occurring for thousands of years, the way they are perceived and combated has changed over time. Scientific advances, technological developments and human intervention in nature have changed the way we deal with natural disasters, but have also created new challenges.

1. natural disasters in antiquity

In ancient times, natural disasters were largely inexplicable phenomena that were often interpreted as punishments from the gods.

The Lisbon earthquake (1755): One of the most devastating earthquakes in European history, destroying the Portuguese capital and devastating large parts of Portugal and Morocco. It had a profound impact on religious and philosophical thinking at the time. The catastrophe led to a change in thinking and promoted the scientific study of earthquakes.

Volcanic eruptions and the destruction of civilizations: The eruption of the Thera volcano (around 1600 BC) on the island of Santorini is associated with the fall of the Minoan civilization on Crete. The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD, which destroyed Pompeii and Herculaneum, is also a well-known historical example.

2. the Middle Ages and early modern period

In the Middle Ages and early modern times, natural disasters continued to be mystical and religious events. There were hardly any scientific explanations, and many people saw them as divine punishment or a sign of nature's wrath.

Famines and droughts: Frequent droughts occurred in the Middle Ages, leading to famines. The population often had no means of preparing for or combating such events.

Plague and epidemics: Although they are often regarded as biological disasters, pandemics such as the plague were often seen as natural disasters. In the 14th century, the Black Death claimed millions of lives in Europe and left profound social changes in its wake.

3 Enlightenment and scientific progress

With the beginning of the Enlightenment in the 18th century, mankind began to view natural disasters from a more scientific perspective.

First scientific analyses: Natural scientists such as the British philosopher and theologian William Derham began to systematically observe and analyze natural phenomena such as earthquakes and storms.

Technological advances: In the 19th century, advances were made in measurement technology, such as the development of seismographs that could measure earthquakes.

4 Industrialization and growing population

Industrialization brought about significant changes with regard to natural disasters:

Urban growth and infrastructure: with the increase in population density and urbanization in the 19th and early 20th centuries, natural disasters became an ever-increasing threat in industrialized countries. Cities were now more susceptible to earthquakes, floods and fires.

Environmental degradation and new risks: The expansion of agriculture, deforestation and the construction of dams and canals increased the risk of flooding and landslides. The degradation of natural ecosystems made certain regions more susceptible to disasters.

5. 20th century: Technological progress and early warning systems

In the 20th century, technological developments and scientific knowledge contributed to a better understanding and, in some cases, prediction of natural disasters.

Early warning systems: From the 1950s onwards, early warning systems were developed for hurricanes, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions. For example, a global tsunami warning system was set up after the devastating tsunami in the Indian Ocean in 2004.

Climate change research