'Natural Disasters' - An Essay By Muhammad Awais of O' Levels Final Year at PakTurk International Schools, Chak Shahzad, Islamabad

Natural Disasters

Natural disasters happen all over the world, and just as their names suggest, their outcome can be disastrous. Although there is no known way of stopping a natural disaster, there are numerous ways by which we can minimize the destruction and save more lives. A greater awareness about their causes can often result in better preparation.

One common natural disaster is “flooding”, which occurs when the water level of a certain river is raised more than the banks or the river and the water spills out onto the nearby areas. This is far more likely to happen when there is a great deal of heavy rain, so during wet periods, flood warnings are often displayed near areas with a risk of flood. There are other factors that increase the risk of flooding as well: steep-sided channels cause fast surface runoff, while a lack of vegetation or woodland to both break the flow of water and drink the water means that there is little to slow the floodwater down. Drainage basins of impermeable rock also cause the water to run faster over the surface.

Earthquakes are another common natural disaster that can cause many fatalities. Earthquakes are caused when tectonic plates rub against one another. These plates do not always move smoothly and can get stuck, causing a build-up of pressure. It is when this pressure is released that an earthquake occurs. Thus, an earthquake under the water can also cause a tsunami, as the quake causes great waves by pushing large volumes of water to the surface.

Tsunamis can also be caused by underwater volcanic eruptions. Volcanic eruptions are another natural disaster, and they are caused by magma escaping from inside the earth. An explosion takes place, releasing the magma from a confined space, which is why there are often huge quantities of gas and dust released during a volcanic eruption. The magma pressure builds up inside the volcano, and pours out over the surrounding area as lava.

One of the most common natural disasters, but also one of the most commonly forgotten, is wildfires. These take place in many different countries all over the world, particularly during the summer months, and can be caused by a wide range of factors. Some of the things that can start the wildfires can be totally natural, while others can be man-made; however, the pace at which they spread is entirely down to nature. The two natural causes of wildfires are the sun’s heat and lightning strikes, while they can also be caused by campfires, smoking, fireworks and many other things. The reasons for the speed or their spread is determined by prolonged hot, dry weather, where the vegetation dries out, which is why they often take place in woodland.

By:

Muhammad Awais                  

O’ Levels Final Year

PakTurk International Schools

Chak Shahzad Campus,

Islamabad