The Power of Nature:

Understanding Natural
Disasters
What are natural disasters? They are catastrophic events caused
by natural processes beyond human control. They can threaten and
damage human lives, properties, and infrastructure.
Types of Natural Disasters
Earthquakes Floods
These occur when tectonic plates shift or These occur when water overflows or
collide. It's the most damaging and inundates inland areas. Flooding
unpredictable natural disaster. accounts for the highest number of
disaster-related deaths.

Tsunamis Hurricanes
These occur when there's a sudden These are violent tropical storms with
displacement of water. Earthquakes, strong winds and heavy rain. They form
volcanic eruptions, or meteorite impacts in the Atlantic Ocean and can cause
can trigger them. extensive damage to coastal areas.
Examples of Major Natural Disasters
1 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami
One of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history, claiming an estimated
230,000 lives across 14 countries.

2 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami

The most powerful earthquake ever recorded in Japan, leading to a tsunami that
devastated the country's northeast coast and triggered a nuclear disaster.

3 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake

One of the worst earthquakes in Japanese history, killing more than 6,000 people
and causing economic damage of over $100 billion.
Earthquake
An earthquake is a natural disaster that occurs when there is a
sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, resulting in seismic
waves.
An earthquake is a sudden and violent shaking of the ground, often
caused by the movement of tectonic plates beneath the Earth’s
surface. This movement releases energy, creating seismic waves
that can result in ground shaking, surface rupture, and various
degrees of damage to structures and landscapes.
Causes of Earthquakes
1 Tectonic Plate Movements 2 Fault Lines
Most earthquakes are caused by Earthquakes can also be
the movement and interaction of triggered by the movement along
tectonic plates, which make up fault lines, where the Earth's
the Earth's surface. crust has been fractured.

3 Volcanic Activity
Volcanic eruptions can generate earthquakes when magma pushes its way to
the surface, causing the surrounding rocks to break and shift.
Causes of Earthquakes

Tectonic Plates Faults Tsunamis

Earthquake happens when A fault is a fracture where Earthquakes that occur
there is a sudden movement rocks on either side move underwater can create
of tectonic plates. The past each other. When the tsunamis. The displacement
movement releases energy movement is abrupt, it can of water generates a series
in the form of seismic result in an earthquake. of waves with high
waves. destructive potential.
Phenomena of Earthquakes
P Waves S Waves Surface Waves
Primary waves are the first Secondary waves follow P Surface waves are the
waves to arrive during an waves and move side-to- slowest and most
earthquake, causing a side, causing objects to destructive seismic waves,
back-and-forth motion of shake vertically and moving along the Earth's
particles. horizontally. surface and causing the
most damage.
Measuring Earthquakes
Richter Scale A logarithmic scale used to measure the
magnitude of an earthquake based on the
amplitude of seismic waves.

Mercalli Scale A scale that measures the intensity and

effects of an earthquake on people,
buildings, and the environment.

Moment Magnitude Scale A scale that estimates the total energy

released by an earthquake based on the
area of the fault that slipped and the
average amount of slip.
Impact of Earthquakes
1 Structural Damage
Buildings and infrastructure can be
severely damaged or destroyed,
Landslides & Tsunamis 2 leading to loss of life and economic
Earthquakes can trigger landslides costs.
and tsunamis, causing further
destruction and endangering 3 Aftershocks
coastal areas. Small earthquakes that occur after
the main earthquake can cause
additional damage and hamper
rescue and recovery efforts.
Mitigation and Preparedness

Building Codes Emergency Seismic Early Warning

& Regulations Preparedness Retrofitting Systems
Structures designed Educating Strengthening Utilizing technology
to withstand communities, existing buildings to detect and issue
earthquakes and creating emergency and infrastructure warnings seconds to
strict building codes plans, and to better withstand minutes before an
help minimize assembling disaster earthquake forces earthquake can
damage and protect supply kits can save can help reduce the provide crucial time
lives. lives during impact of for evacuation and
earthquakes. earthquakes. response.
Case Studies: Significant Earthquakes
in Pakistan
1995 Diamer Earthquake 2005 Mansehra & Kashmir Earthquake
Magnitude 7.3 earthquake that caused Magnitude 7.6 earthquake that struck the
widespread devastation in northern Mansehra & Azad Kashmir region,
Pakistan, resulting in thousands of causing extensive damage, loss of life,
injuries and deaths. and displacing millions of people.

2013 Balochistan Earthquake 2019 Makran Earthquake

Magnitude 7.7 earthquake that affected Magnitude 6.3 earthquake that struck the
the Awaran district, resulting in Makran coast, causing panic and
significant casualties and leaving damaging several buildings in the region.
thousands homeless.
Floods
Discover the devastating impact of floods, from their various types
and causes to their effects on communities. Learn how to manage,
predict, and prevent floods.
Types of Floods

1 River Floods 2 Coastal Floods

Most common type, caused by heavy Ocean storms, hurricanes, or tsunamis
rainfall or snowmelt, leading to rivers can cause high tides and storm surges,
overflowing their banks. resulting in coastal flooding.

3 Flash Floods 4 Urban Floods

Rapid, localized flooding caused by Occurs in urban areas due to
intense rainfall or a sudden release of inadequate drainage, overwhelmed
water from a dam or levee breach. stormwater systems, or heavy rainfall.
Causes of Floods

1 Heavy Rainfall 2 Snowmelt

Intense rain over a short period can Rapid melting of snow due to warm
lead to flooding, especially when the weather or rain can cause rivers and
soil is already saturated. streams to overflow.

3 Tropical Cyclones 4 Levee/Dam Failure

Powerful storms, also known as When man-made structures meant to
hurricanes or typhoons, can bring control water levels fail, it can lead to
heavy rain and storm surges that catastrophic flooding.
cause flooding.
Effects of Floods

1 Loss of Life 2 Damage to Property

Floods can cause fatalities due to Homes, buildings, and infrastructure
drowning, electrocution, or accidents can be destroyed or severely damaged
during evacuations. by floodwaters.

3 Environmental Impact 4 Economic Consequences

Floods can lead to soil erosion, Businesses suffer losses, agriculture is
contamination of water sources, and disrupted, and recovery efforts can be
destruction of habitats. financially burdensome.
Managing and Predicting Floods
1 Forecasting
Using meteorological data and computer models to predict the timing
and severity of floods.

2 Early Warning Systems

Deploying sensors, gauges, and satellite imagery to monitor water
levels and issue alerts.

3 Floodplain Mapping
Identifying areas most at risk and creating maps to aid in urban
planning, emergency response, and prevention.
Flood Prevention Measures
Construction of Improved Land Use Planning
Dams Drainage Systems
Implementing zoning
Dams can regulate water Investing in effective regulations and building
flow, prevent downstream stormwater management codes to avoid construction
flooding, and provide a and sewer systems can in flood-prone areas.
controlled water supply. reduce urban flood risks.
Case Studies of Floods in Pakistan

2010 Pakistan Floods 2014 Pakistan Floods 2001Pakistan Floods

One of the worst floods in Heavy monsoon rains Heavy rainfall triggered
Pakistan's history, affecting caused significant flooding, floods, resulting in damage
millions and causing leading to displacement and to infrastructure and human
widespread devastation. loss of lives. losses.
Prevention from Natural Disasters
Education Building Codes Natural Restoration
Informing and training Enforce strict building Reforestation, wetland
people about disaster risks, codes in high-risk areas restoration, and other
early warning systems, and that can withstand the nature-based solutions can
evacuation plans. impact of natural disasters. help reduce the risk of
flooding, erosion, and
landslides.
Conclusion: earthquake and floods

1 Earthquake 2 Floods
An earthquake can strike anytime and Besides heavy rainfall or tidal waves,
anywhere. Despite modern technology, urbanisation and deforestation
we are still unable to predict when exacerbate the impact of floods. We
they'll happen. must act to prevent natural disasters
and save lives.