Disasters
10 questions tagged Disasters — spanning every one of the seven Ws.
When was the Great Fire of London?
The Great Fire of London raged from September 2–6, 1666, destroying 13,200 houses, 87 churches, and St. Paul's Cathedral. Remarkably, only 6 verified deaths were recorded.
When did the Great Fire of London happen?
The Great Fire of London raged from 2 to 6 September 1666, destroying much of the medieval city.
How do tsunamis form?
Tsunamis form when underwater earthquakes or landslides suddenly displace huge volumes of water.
When was the Great Chicago Fire?
The Great Chicago Fire burned from 8 to 10 October 1871, destroying about 17,000 buildings and leaving some 100,000 people homeless.
When did the 1902 eruption of Mount Pelée destroy Saint-Pierre?
Mount Pelée devastated Saint-Pierre on 8 May 1902, killing nearly the entire city’s population.
Where is Mount Pinatubo?
It is on the island of Luzon in the Philippines, northwest of Manila. Pinatubo became globally famous after its huge 1991 eruption.
Where is the 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami source?
It was off the west coast of northern Sumatra, Indonesia, along the Sunda subduction zone. The earthquake ruptured the seafloor and displaced the ocean.
Which earthquake caused the greatest number of fatalities from a tsunami in one event?
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami, triggered by a major Sumatra earthquake, caused one of the largest tsunami death tolls in history.
How do tsunamis travel across the ocean so fast?
Tsunamis move quickly because they involve the entire water column, not just the surface. In deep water they can travel at jet-like speeds, often hundreds of kilometres per hour.
What is ash fall?
Ash fall is volcanic ash settling back to the ground after an eruption. It can blanket cities, damage engines and crops, and create breathing hazards.