Earthquakes. Tsunamis. Hurricanes. Landslides. Killer storms. Throughout the world, such events are occurring with alarming frequency and devastation. Is this sudden onslaught just coincidence, or is there something larger at work? That's the question that many are asking, and the answer is anything but simple.

 

Some natural disasters, like earthquakes and tsunamis, are caused by mechanical forces. The earth is a dynamic entity which is moving and changing right under our feet. Tectonic plates slowly move across the globe, changing the shape of continents, pushing up mountain ranges, separating to create new bodies of water, and bumping against one another to create fault lines. Occasionally, the pressure at these faults builds up until the plates move rapidly past one another. The energy that is released is dispersed through the overlying rock and soil to create an earthquake. If this happens under or near a body of water, that energy can create a tsunami, sending massive waves of displaced water rushing toward land.

 

Neither of these events is caused by man's presence on the planet. Nothing we do will cause an earthquake. Our actions can, however, impact the amount of destruction a quake or tsunami causes. When we build on certain soil types, or choose to live near fault lines, or engage in poor construction techniques, we put ourselves at risk. Similarly, the destruction of coastal forests and the subsequent erosion of coastlines make us more vulnerable to damage caused by tsunamis.

 

In other cases, man may actually be helping to create natural disasters. Hurricanes, for example, are caused by the interaction of a low-pressure weather system with warm water on the surface of the ocean. Rising ocean temperatures, caused by global warming, mean more opportunities for stronger storms to form.

 

And what about all this weird weather? Blizzards, droughts and downpours are natural events that have been occurring for millions of years, but why the sudden and noticeable changes we are experiencing now? Global warming likely plays a role here as well. Even small changes in atmospheric temperatures can alter weather patterns. Warmer winds blowing across the land cause more evaporation and, therefore, more drought. When those same systems finally drop all that collected moisture in the form of precipitation, it is more likely to fall as rain than snow, leading to potential flooding.

 

And global warming isn't our only problem. Other alterations to the natural world can also lead to disaster. For example, although landslides occur naturally, human activity can contribute to them. The removal of forests or other plant communities destabilizes soil, as does the addition of water run-off or heavy loads to slopes which are already susceptible.

 

Scientists agree that man's interference is altering the world around us, and changes in climate and weather are only one part of the equation. While not every natural disaster is caused by mankind, our misuse of land and resources is certainly making the risk for loss of life and property greater.

 

You can read more about global warming, or visit the Red Cross site to learn how you can help those who are already suffering from recent events.