By: Crystal Martinez

Introduction
The main idea of this book is to show how Natural Disasters change the earth and everything on it. The objective was to describe events as Tornados, Hurricanes, Volcanic Eruptions, Flooding, Earth Quakes and Tsunamis. Hope you enjoy! How do Tsunamis happen? Can I make an example of one?

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Tsunami is Japanese for seismic sea waves. Tsunamis mostly happen from an earthquake that is under the sea. Yet there are other ways that Tsunamis could happen like from a large-scale under the sea landslide. Also a large meteor impact at sea. Our Tsunami example is of a Tsunami happening from an earthquake. This was made by Emily, Jasmine, Taylor and me. How do earthquakes happen? Can I explain it through a model? An earthquake is when the tectonic plates rub against each other and then they kind of stick to each other. All the pressure that builds up when they are trying to separate is let go when they suddenly separate and that makes an earthquake. How do Volcanic Eruptions occur? Deep in the earth it is so hot that rocks melt making magma. Eventually some of the magma pushes through vents and fissures in the Earth's surface. A volcanic eruption occurs! Magma that has erupted is called lava. This volcanic eruption isnt the big exploding kind. The ways that those types of eruptions happen is that thick sticky magma builds up pressure and eventually explodes a big violent eruption. These are the most deadly kind because they can blast out clouds of hot tephra from the side or top of a volcano. These fiery clouds race down mountainsides destroying almost everything in their path. The other kind is just a slow flow of lava so people can get away from it but it still would destroy anything else in its path. How do tornados happen? When warm moist air shoots upward meeting colder, dryer air the warm moist air is lighter than the cold dry air making for a strong updraft within the thunderstorm. If these varying winds reach high speeds that starts a tornado. Then eventually it will get faster and forms a wall cloud. It also makes a top shape and rotates like one. How does a flood occur? There are two different types of floods, a flood and a flash flood. A flash flood is typically caused by sudden, rainfall that sends a river, stream or other body of water rapidly out of its banks. This often takes hours (but that is short!). They can also be caused by ice jams on rivers in conjunction with a winter or spring thaw. The other type of floods is usually caused by the high flow or overflow of water.

How do hurricanes form?

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This pretty much sums up what happens. Hurricanes only form over 80F or warmer water. During the hurricane the atmosphere must cool down very quickly the warmer it is. The air must be also blowing in the same speed and in the same direction to force it upward from the ocean. Then winds flow out above the hurricane.

What kind of affects can a tornado have? After a weak tornado it may have broken branches or damage signs. The damage to buildings usually only affects roofs and windows it also may include loss of the entire roof or just part of the roof covering and sheathing. The windows are usually broken from debris. After a strong tornado some buildings may be destroyed but usually most suffer damage like loss of exterior walls or the exterior roof or both; interior walls usually survive.

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After a violent tornado there is incredible damage. Heavy cars are usually lifted off the ground and thrown. Also strong frame houses that are leveled are off foundations and swept away. Trees are usually uprooted and swept away and all the debris flying around causes damage too. "Understanding Damage and Impacts." Questions and Answers about Tornadoes: Damage and Impacts. 18 May 2011. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/tornado/tor_damage.html>. What kind of affects can a hurricane have? When hurricanes stay out at sea they can cause great high waves, powerful winds and heavy rain. This can cause even cargo ships to be wrecked. Although a hurricane that reaches land is so much worse. People in the area that the hurricane is going to hit can begin to feel the effects hours before the hurricane even arrives. There are strong winds and rain. These very powerful winds can rip of the roofs of buildings. It can also blow down trees and power lines. Then the Storm Surge happens. It is a rise in the level of the sea making sudden deathly floods. This can even harm habitats where fish breed. The rotating winds of the hurricane cane to into tornados which causes more damage to habitats and shelter. Flooding and heavy rains can destroy water treatment facilities, which can lead to pollution and disease. "Globio." Hurricanes. Web. 25 May 2012. <http://www.globio.org/glossopedia/article.aspx?art_id=40>. What kind of affects do tsunamis have? Tsunamis are deadly, powerful, destructive floods. They are terribly destructive when they come nearer and nearer to land. As the tsunami comes near land and shallow water, the tsunami waves slow down and become compressed, causing them to grow taller and bigger. After that a bore may form. This is the worst thing that can happen. It can cause a big destruction. Behind it is a great flood that will destroy anything in its path. Then the water will drain away a little. After that the water will rush in again. This cycle may happen several times before it passes. Tsunamis cause death and destruction. "When a Tsunami Approaches Land." When a Tsunami Approaches Land. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://kaylinafromhawaii.tripod.com/id4.html>. What kind of affects do Earthquakes have? When earthquakes happen they cause a lot of damage. The usual damage is collapsed buildings. This causes many deaths. Sometimes if earthquakes are so strong the ground may actually come apart a tiny bit and water will come out of the little cracks. Charles J. Ammon. "Earthquake Effects." Earthquake Effects. 1 Aug. 2001. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://eqseis.geosc.psu.edu/~cammon/HTML/Classes/IntroQuakes/Notes/earthquake_effe cts.html>.

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What kind of affects do floods have? Floods can cause loss of human life, damage to property, destruction of crops, loss of livestock, and deterioration of health conditions owing to waterborne diseases. They can also cause weathering and erosion. "What Are the Consequences of Floods?" - Office of the Queensland Chief Scientist. 2012. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://www.chiefscientist.qld.gov.au/publications/understandingfloods/consequences.aspx>. What kind of affects do volcanic eruptions have? Volcanic Eruptions kill very many plants because of the lava flow. The good thing is that volcanic soil is very rich, so once everything cools off, plants can make a big comeback! Although many animals are killed by lava flows, tephra falls, and gasses in the air. Also forest fires could happen from an eruption and earthquakes too. Not many people die though because the lava flow is really slow, but they could die from the atmospheric effects (such as gasses).

"How Do Volcanoes Affect Plants and Animals? | Volcano World." How Do Volcanoes Affect Plants and Animals? | Volcano World. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://volcano.oregonstate.edu/how-do-volcanoes-affect-plants-and-animals>.

College and Career Readiness

A Volcanologist studies the populations that are threatened by volcano eruptions. This is a dangerous job. The things that they would need to know about are lava magma, volcanoes and the affects of volcanoes. "Study of Volcanoes a High-risk Venture." Study of Volcanoes a High-risk Venture. 2012. Web. 30 May 2012. <http://old.postgazette.com/healthscience/20000827volcanoside9.asp>.

Glossary:
Landslide- The downward falling or sliding of soil, detritus, or rock from a steep slope. Tectonic Plates- The dozen or so things made of rock that make up the earth. They are like 30 feet thick!

Magma- Melted material beneath or within the Earths crust. Tephra- Volcanic material that is ejected during an eruption. Flash Flood- A sudden and destructive rush of water. Natural Disasters Page 5

Ice Jam- A giant melted piece of ice in a river that usually happens from a thaw. (This can cause local flooding.) Thaw- A warm time of weather when ice and snow melt. Sheathing- A covering or outer layer of a material such as metal or wood. Debris- The remains of anything broken down or destroyed. Exterior- The outer side of something. Interior- The inner layer of something. Bore- A wall of turbulent water that can be several meters high. "When a Tsunami Approaches Land." When a Tsunami Approaches Land. Web. 26 May 2012. <http://kaylinafromhawaii.tripod.com/id4.html>. Dictionary.com. Dictionary.com, 2012. Web. 29 May 2012. <http://dictionary.reference.com/>.

Sources:
Tsunami - How a Tsunami Happens." How a Tsunami Happens. Web. 21 May 2012. <http://academic.evergreen.edu/g/grossmaz/springle/>. Pitara Kids Network. "How Do Earthquakes Happen?" KiDs VAlue FUn: Children Explore, Discover, Learn, Play & Enjoy... | Pitara Kids Network. Web. 23 May 2012. <http://www.pitara.com/discover/5wh/online.asp?story=135>. "How Do Volcanoes Erupt?" CVO Website. Web. 23 May 2012. <http://vulcan.wr.usgs.gov/Outreach/AboutVolcanoes/how_do_volcanoes_erupt.html>. "How Does a Tornado Form?" How Does a Tornado Form? Web. 23 May 2012. <http://www.tornadochaser.net/tornado.html>. "Why Floods Occur." <Http://www.theweatherchannelkids.com/> weather_ed/. Web. 24 May 2012. Crystal. "Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids." Weather Wiz Kids Weather Information for Kids. Weather Wiz Kids, 2012. Web. 24 May 2012. <http://www.weatherwizkids.com/weather-hurricane.htm>.

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