A formal governmental act, typically at the local, state, or national level, acknowledges the existence of an extraordinary event overwhelming available resources and necessitating external assistance. For instance, a governor might issue... Read more »
Tropical cyclones, earthquakes, floods, wildfires, and other severe weather events are powerful forces of nature that shape the environment and impact human populations. These phenomena vary in their formation, characteristics, and the... Read more »
Catastrophic events within the United States, whether natural or human-caused, significantly impact the nation’s social, economic, and environmental landscape. These range from hurricanes and earthquakes to industrial accidents and terrorist attacks, each... Read more »
Photographic documentation of the human impact of the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident provides a stark visual record of the disaster’s immediate and long-term effects. These images capture the suffering caused by radiation... Read more »
Losses incurred due to unexpected and catastrophic events, such as federally declared natural disasters, may be eligible for certain tax relief. For example, if a flood damages a home or business, resulting... Read more »
The April 1986 catastrophe at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, located in what is now northern Ukraine, resulted from a flawed reactor design coupled with critical operational errors during a safety test.... Read more »
On the morning of 21 October 1966, a catastrophic collapse of a colliery spoil tip engulfed the Welsh village of Aberfan. The sudden avalanche of coal waste, liquefied by heavy rain, buried... Read more »
A compilation focusing on catastrophic natural events can take various forms, from academic textbooks and scientific journals to photographic essays and survival guides. A geological textbook might dedicate a chapter to earthquakes... Read more »
The collapse of a section of the Interstate 40 bridge over the Arkansas River in 2002 resulted in multiple fatalities and injuries. A barge collided with a bridge pier, causing a critical... Read more »
The archipelagos unique geological and geographical setting makes it highly susceptible to a range of hazards. Located within the Ring of Fire, a zone of intense seismic activity, the nation experiences frequent... Read more »