FORMS OF ENVIRONMENTAL DISASTERS

Our next outlook on the subject of Environmental Disasters takes us today, to the various forms they can take. These forms include:

1. GEOPHYSICAL

Many experience this particular form of disaster due to geological processes with tremendous downsides. It includes earthquakes, landslides, volcanic activity and the likes.

2. HYDROLOGICAL

You can imagine hydrological disasters as hazards involving water processes. Examples include floods, avalanches and tsunamis.

3. CLIMATOLOGICAL

Remember Amazon rainforest in 2019 going up in flames? It is one of the climatological disasters experienced in recent years. Additionally, extreme temperature and drought are other common hazards the environment can suffer from in this category.

4. METEOROLOGICAL

Essentially, these disaster types refer to a large-scale closed circulation system in the atmosphere which combines low pressure and strong winds that rotate counter clockwise in the northern hemisphere and clockwise in the southern hemisphere. Tropical storms, cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons, although named differently, describe the same disaster type.

5. BIOLOGICAL

Here, the disaster primarily involves the spread of diseases and pests which can be detrimental to human health. A popular example is the not far-fetched COVID-19 rampaging the earth today.

6. ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION

This form is characterized by the depletion of natural resources and destruction of ecosystems and natural habitats. Unsustainable activities humans engage in are largely responsible for this. 

7. POLLUTION

When you make land, water, air or other parts of the environment dirty and not safe or suitable to use, you pollute the environment. Water, Air, Noise and Land pollution are the major types and they can be caused by household garbage, chemicals in water, exhaust and toxic fumes release, and loud unpleasant sounds.

It's important that we are aware of these forms environmental disasters can take. Follow us on this ride as we discuss how these disasters affect living species and the environment, next week.