Natural Disasters

Find out everything there is to know about natural disasters and stay updated on the latest weather news with the comprehensive articles, interactive features and natural disaster pictures at LiveScience. Learn more about devastation caused by weather as scientists continue to make amazing discoveries about natural disasters.

Related Topics: Volcanoes, Hurricanes, Heat Wave, Earthquakes

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Mount Etna

Mount Etna's Slide into the Sea Could Trigger a Catastrophic Collapse

By Stephanie Pappas published

New research raises questions about Mount Etna's dangers.

Hurricane Michael is seen from space just before landfall.

Hurricane Michael Is Officially More Powerful than Hurricane Katrina

By Rafi Letzter published

The storm struck the Gulf coast of Florida this afternoon as the third most intense hurricane ever to strike the continental U.S., and the most intense since 1969.

Peer into Hurricane Michael's Mesmerizing Eye in This Eerie Time-Lapse Video

By Mindy Weisberger published

A close-up view captures the whirling clouds circling Hurricane Michael's eye

Hurricane Michael, seen here by the GOES East satellite at 2:45 p.m. ET on Oct. 9, 2018, strengthened as it moved north-northwest toward the Florida Panhandle.

Hurricane Michael Strengthens to 'Unprecedented' Category 4 Storm Overnight

By Megan Gannon published

Florida is bracing for winds up to 140 mph and a potentially deadly storm surge.

Indonesian earthquake

Photos: The Devastating Damage from Indonesia Earthquake and Tsunami

By Live Science Staff published

More than 1,200 are estimated to be dead after a powerful earthquake and tsunami ravaged the Indonesian island of Sulawesi.

Survivors ride past debris in a devastated area in Palu, in Central Sulawesi, on Oct. 1, 2018, after a 7.5-magnitude earthquake and tsunami hit the area on Sept. 28.

7.5-Magnitude Earthquake and Tsunami Devastate Indonesia

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Rescue efforts continue.

Hurricane Florence approaches the U.S. Southeast Coast, where it is expected to make landfall on the border between North and South Carolina this morning (Sept. 14), according to NOAA.

Center of the Eye of Hurricane Florence Makes Landfall Near Wrightsville Beach, NC

By Jeanna Bryner published

Here's the latest on the major hurricane heading toward the U.S. Southeast Coast.

A National Hurricane Center graphic shows where significant storm surges are likely.

Stunning Weather Channel Video Shows Why Storm Surges Are So Dangerous

By Rafi Letzter published

Hurricane Florence is packing the potential for some dangerous flooding, and a new Weather Channel video highlights why it's important to avoid.

Watch Hurricane Florence Batter a Lighthouse 34 Miles Offshore

By Rafi Letzter published

A lighthouse just off the coast of North Carolina is livestreaming the approach of Hurricane Florence.

Hurricane Florence Shifts Course, Will Make a 'Grand Tour' of Southeastern States

By Mindy Weisberger published

Hurricane Florence is changing course, according to new models released today.

A Hurricane-Hunting Plane Flies Straight Through Florence's Eye, Captures Harrowing Video

By Mindy Weisberger published

What does a hurricane's eye look like from the inside?

People walk down a flooded street as they evacuate their homes after the area was inundated with flooding from Hurricane Harvey on August 28, 2017 in Houston, Texas.

If You Stay Put During Hurricane Florence, Be Ready for Challenges After the Storm

By Ali Mostafavi published

New Eye Means Hurricane Florence May Get Stronger Before Slamming into the US

By Mindy Weisberger published

Hurricane Florence's eye wall has grown since yesterday.

A massive landslide struck Alaska's Tyndall Glacier in 2015.

Warnings Abounded Before Massive Alaska Landslide and Tsunami

By Stephanie Pappas published

A 2015 landslide and tsunami in Alaska came after two decades of warning signs.

earthquake map

Tons of Major Quakes Have Rattled the World Recently. Does That Mean Anything?

By Kimberly Hickok published

Yes, California will have a big earthquake, but the chances of "the big one" happening now didn't suddenly increase.

Hurricane Lane Bears Down on Hawaii

By Rafi Letzter published

Hurricane Lane is nearing Hawaii from the southeast, and the first tendrils of the storm have already reached the Big Island.

Hawaii is seen from space, all alone in a big ocean.

Hawaii Faces Huge Hurricane: Why That's So Rare

By Rafi Letzter published

A very big storm is coming for Hawaii, an island state that's largely avoided encounters with major cyclones in recent memory.

hurricane lane

Hurricane Lane, a Monster Category 4 Storm, Barrels Toward Hawaii

By Yasemin Saplakoglu published

Damaging winds could hit the Big Island as early as this afternoon.

carr fire

In Photos: The Deadly Carr Fire Blazes Across Northern California

By Kimberly Hickok published

The Carr Fire has burned well over 100,000 acres and destroyed thousands of structures.

Firenado

Like Hell on Earth, Raging Firenado Plows Through California Town

By Kimberly Hickok published

This wasn't an ordinary fire whirl.