In this article we will consider some changes in the physical-geographical state of nature that occur on earth under the influence of cataclysms. Any locality has its own individual position, and unique. And any physical and geographical change usually leads to corresponding consequences in neighboring areas.
Some disasters and cataclysms will be briefly described here.
Cataclysm Definition
According to Ushakov’s explanatory dictionary, a cataclysm (Greek kataklysmos - flood) is a sharp change in the nature and conditions of organic life over a large space of the earth’s surface under the influence of destructive processes (atmospheric, volcanic). And also a cataclysm is a sharp revolution, moreover, destructive, in social life.
A sudden change in the physical and geographical state of the surface of the territory can be triggered only by natural phenomena or by the activity of man himself. And this is a cataclysm.
Hazardous natural phenomena are those that change the state of the environment from the optimal range for human life. And catastrophic disasters even change the face of the Earth. These are processes of exogenous and endogenous origin.
Below we consider some significant changes in nature that occur under the influence of cataclysms.
Types of Natural Disasters
All cataclysms in the world have their own peculiarity. And recently, they began to occur (and of the most diverse origin) more and more often. These are earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, meteorites, mudflows, avalanches and landslides, the sudden onset of water from the sea, subsidence of soils, severe climate change and many others. other
We give a brief description of the three most terrible natural phenomena.
Earthquakes
The most important source of physical and geographical processes is an earthquake.
What is such a cataclysm? This is a concussion of the earth's crust, underground shocks and small fluctuations in the surface of the earth, which are caused mainly by various tectonic processes. Often they are accompanied by a terrifying underground roar, the formation of cracks, wave-like vibrations of the earth's surface, the destruction of buildings and other structures and, unfortunately, human casualties.
Each year, more than 1 million tremors are recorded on planet Earth. And this represents about 120 shocks per hour or 2 shocks per minute. It turns out that the Earth is constantly in a state of shudder.
According to statistics, on average 1 catastrophic earthquake and about 100 destructive earthquakes occur annually. Such processes represent the consequences of the development of the lithosphere, namely, its compression in some regions and expansion in others. Earthquakes are the worst cataclysm. This phenomenon leads to tectonic ruptures, uplifts and displacements.
Today, zones of different earthquake activity have been identified on the earth. The zones of the Pacific and Mediterranean zones are among the most active in this regard. A total of 20% of the territory of Russia is subject to earthquakes of varying degrees.
The most terrifying cataclysms of this kind (9 points or more) occur in areas of Kamchatka, the Pamirs, the Kuril Islands, Transcaucasia, Transbaikalia, etc.
7-9-point earthquakes occur in vast territories, from Kamchatka to the Carpathians. This includes Sakhalin, Sayans, Baikal, Crimea, Moldova, etc.
Tsunami
During volcanic eruptions located on islands and under water, sometimes no less catastrophic cataclysm occurs. This is a tsunami.
Translated from Japanese, this word denotes an unusually huge wave of destructive force arising in the zones of volcanic activity and earthquakes of the ocean floor. The advancement of such a mass of water occurs at a speed of 50-1000 km per hour.
Tsunami when approaching the coast reaches a height of 10-50 meters or more. As a result, terrible destruction occurs on the shore. The reasons for the occurrence of such a catastrophe can be both underwater landslides and powerful avalanches that break into the sea.
The most dangerous places in terms of such disasters are the shores of Japan, the Aleutian and Hawaiian islands, Alaska, Kamchatka, the Philippines, Canada, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Peru, New Zealand, Chile, the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic Seas.
Volcanoes
About the cataclysm, which is an eruption of a volcano, it is known that this is a complex of processes associated with the movement of magma.
Especially a lot of them in the Pacific belt. And again, in Indonesia, Central America and Japan, there are a huge number of volcanoes. In total, there are up to 600 active and about 1,000 sleeping on land.
About 7% of the world's population lives in the vicinity of active volcanoes. There are also underwater volcanoes. They are known on the mid-ocean ridges.
Russian hazardous areas - Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, Sakhalin. And in the Caucasus there are extinct volcanoes.
It is known that today active volcanoes erupt about 1 time in 10-15 years.
Such a cataclysm is also a dangerous and terrifying disaster.
Conclusion
Recently, abnormal natural phenomena and sharp changes in temperature are constant companions of life on Earth. And all these phenomena greatly destabilize the planet. Therefore, future geophysical and natural-climatic changes, which pose a serious danger to the existence of all mankind, require all peoples to be constantly ready for action in such crisis conditions. According to certain estimates of scientists, people are still able to cope with the impending consequences of such events.