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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Earthquake in Mexico Cracked a Pyramid and Revealed an Ancient Temple

By Mindy Weisberger published

A quake in Mexico had a surprisingly positive outcome for archaeologists.

There's No Way World Cup Soccer Fans Caused an Earthquake in Mexico, Seismic Expert Says

By Brandon Specktor published

The soccer earthquake that wasn't.

Mexico soccer fans celebrate big at the Cuauhtemoc monument in Tijuana, Baja California state, after a win against Germany in their first match of the 2018 World Cup.

Jumping Soccer Fans Created a Small Earthquake in Mexico

By Brandon Specktor published

The World Cup is literally shaking the world.

A plume of ash shoots into the air after a magnitude-5.0 earthquake shakes Hawaii's Kilauea south of the Pu'u 'Ō'ō crater floor on Thursday (May 3).

Hawaii's Kilauea Volcano Erupts Dramatically After a 5.0-Magnitude Quake

By Tia Ghose published

A magnitude-5.0 earthquake shook the Big Island of Hawaii on Thursday (May 3), causing lava to spew into a residential subdivision.

A photo taken on September 20, 2017 shows San Juan in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria. Six months later, the U.S. territory is once again without power.

The Entire Island of Puerto Rico Just Lost Power Again — Here's Why

By Rafi Letzter published

The entire island of Puerto Rico is without power again, 210 days after its grid first collapsed during Hurricane Maria on September 20, 2017.

2 Tornadoes Drop in on Fort Lauderdale in Just One Day

By Brandon Specktor published

Two tornadoes touched down in Fort Lauderdale Tuesday, but how exactly does that happen?

a pair of bald eagles in a nest.

Watch These Adorable Baby Eagles Weather the Southern California Earthquake

By Stephanie Pappas published

Thursday's temblor alarmed an eagle family on Santa Cruz Island.

Quake Alert

How Did an App Know an Earthquake Was Hitting California Before It Happened?

By Laura Geggel published

Some people in Los Angeles knew about today's earthquake before it even hit.

earthquake los angeles

A 5.3-Magnitude Earthquake Just Struck Southern California

By Rafi Letzter published

A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck 38 miles off the coast of California Thursday afternoon, rattling Los Angeles.

Spiders

The Weirdest Things That Fell From The Sky

By Brandon Specktor published

Umbrellas and galoshes will shield you from the rain, snow and hail — but what about the showers of spiders, satellites, and raw mystery meat?

san francisco earthquake

Long-Lost Footage of 1906 San Francisco Earthquake Discovered at Flea Market

By Brandon Specktor published

This haunting film reel was lost for 100 years. Soon, the world will see its contents.

A major earthquake hit Alaska, about 163 miles (262 kilometers) southeast of Chiniak and 360 miles (578 km) south of Anchorage, on Jan. 23, 2018.

Major Earthquake Strikes Off Alaska

By Megan Gannon published

A 7.9-magnitude earthquake struck off Kodiak, Alaska, this morning. A tsunami warning is in effect for parts of Alaska and British Columbia, Canada.

Michigan meteor

Fireball Over Michigan: Did Meteor Really Cause an Earthquake?

By Laura Geggel published

Delaware Earthquake

A Magnitude-4.1 Earthquake Just Hit Delaware

By Laura Geggel published

A magnitude-4.4 earthquake just hit Delaware Bay, Delaware, surprising people in The First State, a place typically unaccustomed to tremblers.

Oregon Beach Ocean Shore

Where in the Pacific Northwest Will the Next Monstrous Earthquake Strike?

By Dan Robitzski published

Seattle earthquake simulation

What If a 9.0-Magnitude Earthquake Hit Seattle?

By Laura Geggel published

A 7.1-magnitue earthquake struck near Mexico City on Sept. 19, 2017.

More than 200 Dead After 7.1-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Central Mexico

By Jeanna Bryner published

Irma

No, We Can't Control Hurricanes from Space

By Jesse Emspak published

As Hurricane Irma winds down, some have asked why we can't control hurricanes.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's GOES East satellite captured this visible image of Hurricane Irma at 10:37 a.m. EDT on Saturday (Sept. 9) when it was a Category 4 storm.

Hurricane Irma by the Numbers

By Sarah B. Puschmann published

Take a look at some key numbers related to Hurricane Irma.

hurricane harvey aftermath

Hurricane Harvey Caused 500,000-Year Floods in Some Areas

By Tia Ghose published

Hurricane Harvey, over the course of five days, dumped an unprecedented level of rainfall expected based on probabilities.