Nature is beautiful, but it can also be extremely terrifying! And it doesn't even take much for nature to make our lives difficult. A strong shower, a small earthquake, or a sudden heatwave are enough to make humans both miserable and prone to exhaustion. However, there are some truly terrifying occurrences in nature that you don't want to be a part of.
Check them out below!
1. Wildfire
Wildfires are an unfortunate occurrence in nature. Like any fire, when a wildfire starts, it spreads quickly and feeds on anything it can in order to grow in size. Not only is it difficult to contain, it also results in devastating consequences.
Cause
Natural wildfires start with a combination of extremely high heat combined with dry plants and trees. These fires can be a little easier to control because they don't start as quickly as those caused by arson. A wildfire can also be caused by arson or human negligence. These fires are fast and they are often difficult to control.
Consequence
Animals and vegetation are the ones to feel the worst elements of a wildfire, although there can often be human casualties not just due to the fire but also because of the smoke that comes with it.
2. Limnic Eruptions
This is not a common natural disaster, but it one that causes a special kind of flood that will last for a long time.
Cause
Limnic eurptions are a rare phenomenon in which carbon dioxide erupts from deep within a lake and causes a flood. Because there is no way to control the amount of carbon dioxide that is released, nor how long it will last for, it is impossible to stop this from happening.
Consequence
Wildlife and human settlements are the most likely to suffer because of this phenomenon in the flooding. It often forces people to leave their homes for a long period of time, and sometimes forever.
3. Avalanche
Every winter, avalanches take the lives of skiers and hikers who go out to the snow to have fun and adventure.
Cause
An avalanche can be thought of as the winter version of a landslide, except that this one includes entirely snow. It is caused when a huge amount of snow, hanging on the steep side of a mountain, cracks and begins to fall down the mountain at incredible speed.
Consequence
Although plants are very likely to survive an avalanche, wildlife and humans are not so lucky. When buried under an avalanche, air is no longer available and no matter how hard you tried, you would not be able to dig your way out of it on your own.
4. Blizzard
Blizzards are a frequent winter occurrence, but extreme blizzards can really make life difficult for everyone involved.
Cause
A blizzard is essentially a sever snow storm, which lasts for a long time and includes very strong winds. It can go on for hours and can even repeat over a number of days. The longer it lasts, the more snow builds up under it.
Consequence
Blizzards are most difficult for people because they cover vehicles and roads, are freezing cold, and make it very difficult or people to spend any time outside or to get to work. They can also be deadly for people who live in remote areas without adequate heating or transportation.
5. Derecho
Derecho comes from the Spanish word which means "straight", and refers to a windstorm that goes in one straight direction.
Cause
Usually, winds go in a variety of directions. Most of the time they move in circular motion and they change their speed as they go. However, in a bizarre event, a derecho happens when the atmospheric pressure forms in such a way that all of the wind goes in one straight line.
Consequence
The biggest problem with derecho is that it can cause tornadoes, heavy rain, and sever windstorms. It destroys properties, disables travel, and forces animals to move their homes.
6. A Dirty Thunderstorm
Although dangerous, this also happens to be one of the most beautiful natural phenomenon. Many beautiful images have been captured with its beauty, but it is strongly recommended that you do not try this on your own.
Cause
A dirty thunderstorm happens when, during a volcanic eruption, ice crystals collide and cause a reaction involving electricity, which results in beautiful lightening among the lava.
Consequence
The consequence from this beautiful phenomena include land covered and destroyed by lava, and a potential power outage when the lightening cuts electricity supply for local villages.
7. Drought
There is nothing beautiful about a drought, especially not the fact that it lasts for a very long time and causes serious destruction for both humans and wildlife.
Cause
When there is no rain for a very long period of time, droughts form. The earth has no water to hydrate its top layer, rivers and lakes dry out and leave devastation for anything that requires water in order to live.
Consequence
Plants and wildlife die as a result of droughts, people lose their crops and have a hard time keeping their livestock alive. In the most extreme cases, people are forced to leave their homes in search of water.
8. Dust Storm
Few places around the world have this phenomenon, but those that do soon grow tired of it. It causes damage and makes the air very difficult to breathe in.
Cause
A dust storm, or sand storm, is very common in desserts and dry areas. A strong wind picks up the dust and sand high into the air and carries it along for many miles. The storm won't stop until the wind does.
Consequence
The air is almost impossible to breathe in, both for people and for animals. The only way to possibly protect yourself is to stay inside or get away from the storm before it reaches your area.
9. Sink Hole
We often forget that the ground below our feet is not actually solid. There are many layers below it, and if one layer gives way, every layer on top of it will also collapse.
Cause
Sink holes are most common on man-made roads. They happen when the rock below the road moves or dissolves due to underground waters that constantly flow around them. When this happens, the road will collapse into a hole because there will be nothing to keep it secure.
Consequence
In the smallest situations, sink holes are dangerous for cars and pedestrians. However, in extreme situations where large sink holes suddenly appear, entire houses and even buildings can be swallowed up in them.
10. Earthquake
Earthquakes are a very frequent natural phenomenon around the world, and one which causes a lot of trouble for those who experience it.
Cause
Earthquakes are caused by the movement of the Earth's tectonic plates. These large plates move all the time (even though we don't feel them). When they reach a point where they collide into each other we experience an earthquake. How large the earthquake will be depends on how serious the impact was between the two tectonic plates.
Consequence
Earthquakes have caused massive destruction across the world, taking away many lives and destroying entire cities. Even though our technology is improving, we still don't have an entirely efficient way to warn people when they are about to happen.
11. Heat Wave
Summer may be fun for some people, but when nature decides to make summer extra hot, no one is going to enjoy the ride.
Cause
Heat waves are very long periods of extreme heat. The air pressure and humidity reach a point where the Sun is able to shine all the time, causing temperatures to rise to levels that many people are not used to.
Consequence
There are many victims of heat waves, especially in places where people are not used to super high temperatures. Heat waves also affect water supply and crops.
12. Flammable Ice Bubbles
This very unusual phenomenon causes photographers to crowd together for a chance to take a photo of it. But it is far more dangerous than it looks.
Cause
What look like tiny little bubbles below the ice surface are indeed bubbles, but they contain the very dangerous toxic methane, which is also highly flammable. The bubbles formed because the cold temperature froze them before they could escape.
Consequence
In cases where the ice around these bubbles melts, the toxic methane is released. If there is a source of heat nearby, the methane could easily explode and cause destruction.
13. Flood
Floods occur all the time, in different parts of the world and in different areas of human residence. What's remarkable about them is the sheer amount of water that covers everything in its path.
Cause
There are numerous causes to floods. Anything from heavy rainfall, to the rise of underground waters, and even accidents such as a burst pipe or a damaged dam.
Consequence
The most difficult thing about floods is that they make any area where they are present unlivable, and if people don't get out of the way in time they could drown in the water.
14. Hailstorm
Hailstorms are not only a regular occurrence in winter. They can also happen in the middle of summer when there are sudden drops in temperature.
Cause
Hail are lumps of ice which can be of various sizes. They form either in cold temperatures, or during the switch between hot and cold seasons. The lumps of ice fall in large quantities for a short amount of time, but cause a lot of damage.
Consequence
Most of the damage happens to vehicles and buildings. However, hailstorms are also very dangerous for people. These lumps of ice fall from great heights, and you would certainly not want to be hit by one.
15. Ice Storm
Storms come in all shapes and sizes, but the ice storm truly freezes everything in its path.
Cause
The interesting thing about this phenomenon is that its true face is only revealed after it happens. It is caused by freezing rain falling to the earth. Because the rain is almost at freezing temperature, and the ground is cold already, the rain instantly freezes everything that it falls upon.
Consequence
Many people have died because of ice storms. They freeze roads, disable electricity, and cut off both transport and food supplies, leaving the weakest population the one that is under the biggest danger.
16. Landslide
Any sudden, major movement of earth and rock can be a cause of devastation for those who do not see it coming. A landslide is just that - large areas of the ground collapsing like a river.
Cause
Landslides are not usually the cause of human error. They happen because large areas of the earth become unstable, and therefore separate from the layer of earth underneath and move with huge force like a river.
Consequence
Landslides destroy roads, ruin habitats, and cover houses and buildings. Many people have died in these disasters by being buried underneath the river of earth.
17. Lightning
One of the reasons why so many people love watching storms is precisely because of the presence of lightening. However, if something were to find its way in its path, it would not survive.
Cause
Lightening is a discharge of huge amounts of electrostatic in the sky. Each lightening strike needs to fin an outlet to release this energy, which usually means that it needs to reach the ground.
Consequence
People, planes, cars, and houses that find themselves to be the highest object in the path of lightening will be struck by it. Few have survived this strike because of the extremely high voltage of electricity that comes with it.
18. Polar Vortex
A polar vortex is not visible, but it is definitely something that can be felt. Luckily, it only happens around either the North or the South Pole.
Cause
A polar vortex is a huge pocket of extremely cold area which doesn't move from a region for a very long time. Because there is no wind to accompany it, the vortex simply sits in the same area until a burst of pressure moves it somewhere else.
Consequence
Although these extremely low temperatures are difficult for the animals, luckily, most of them have evolved to withstand the cold temperature and can live through this difficult period.
19. Squall Line
Those whole love to watch thunderstorms have probably already seen these beautiful layers of clouds that form in the squall line process.
Cause
A squall line happens when multiple thunderstorms line up one above another. Each thunderstorm will bring its own trouble, and together they form a very powerful series of hail, winds, and lightening.
Consequence
The consequences of a squall line are the same that come with any thunderstorm. Heavy rain and wind can cause flooding, while hail can damage vehicles, buildings, and crops.
20. Supercell
A supercell is a thunderstorm that seems to never end!
Cause
Most thunderstorms pass over a region and then disappear at some point. However, thunderstorms which form inside of supercell rotate in a circular motion. This means that they stay above an area for a long time and cause double the trouble.
Consequence
There is usually a lot of flooding and very strong winds which accompany the supercell. Even if you love thunderstorms, this is one that you should be happy to miss.
21. Tornado
Tornadoes are probably one of the most popular natural phenomenon. There are many storm-chasers who focus specifically on chasing tornadoes because of their strange appearance and extreme power.
Cause
A tornado is essentially air that rotates violently at very high speeds. It always touches the ground before it starts to move, and it doesn't stop until its power diminishes - which can be a long time.
Consequence
Tornadoes are responsible for the destruction of houses and buildings, as well as the destruction of vehicles and crops. They are difficult to predict and cannot be stopped.
22. Tropical Cyclone
A tropical cyclone, as its name suggests, usually appears during the summer season when there are sudden changes in temperature. It cannot be seen from the ground, only from space.
Cause
A tropical cyclone happens when many clouds form into a circular rotation. The cyclone itself may not look like it is moving fast, but it can actually reach speeds of up to 200 miles per hour!
Consequence
Because of the dangerous winds that accompany cyclones, the damage is mostly caused to roads and buildings, which makes life very difficult for people who live in these areas.
23. Tsunami
Tsunamis are one of the most powerful natural disasters on Earth, and they are also completely silent until they hit.
Cause
A tsunami is a giant tidal wave which forms as a result of volcanic eruptions or earthquakes. The giant wave forms far in the distance of the ocean and silently makes its way to the shore. When it hits, huge amounts of water overflow the area.
Consequence
Not much survives a tsunami. The sheer power of the wave destroys everything in its path and drowns it in deep water.
24. Volcanic Eruptions
This is another popular phenomenon that attracts many photographers. However, it is certainly not something that you want to be near to when it happens.
Cause
There is a lot of lava under the earth, and a number of volcanoes around the world which serve as eruption points. When the lava reaches a certain temperature point, it rises and erupts from the volcano.
Consequence
Volcanic eruptions don't just come with lava, they also come with a lot of ash. The lava burns everything in sight, while the ash makes the air impossible to breathe in, forcing all living creatures in its path to run for safety.
25. Whirlpool
Water can be dangerous for many reasons, but a whirlpool will suck anything to the bottom of the sea in an instant.
Cause
A whirlpool is produced by ocean tides which collide together. When they do, they begin to swirl in a circular motion, creating a long whirlpool which touches the bottom. Anything that is caught in its sides will be dragged to the bottom.
Consequence
Whirlpools are dangerous for boats and ships, and can even be dangerous for houses that are close to the shore if the ground underneath them collapses.
26. Rock Falls and Ruptures
Even though we don't see or hear them, the many types of stones that exist on this planet are constantly changing and moving.
Cause
Rock falls and ruptures occur when a large area of rock breaks from its base and tumbles down. This is something that is almost impossible to predict because there are so may rocks on the planet and not enough people to monitor all of them.
Consequence
Because of the sheer weight of the rocks, everything in their path will be destroyed. This is not a problem if they happen away from the human population, but unfortunately, they also fall on rocks and houses that are near a mountain.
27. Subsidence
Sudden developments in ground level can cause devastation for buildings and houses, and sadly, it cannot easily be predicted.
Cause
Subsidence is the sudden settling of the ground. When an empty pocket appears deeper below the surface, the earth above it must fall to the same level. If there is anything on top of this earth, it will fall down with it.
Consequence
This is a terrible event for people who end up losing their homes in the process. Because it is so difficult to predict, it happens unexpectedly without enough time for people to prepare or run to safety.
28. Asteroid
You may not think it, but it is not so unlikely for an asteroid to hit our planet. In fact, it has happened before.
Cause
There are many asteroids in space, travelling at extremely high speeds. Most of these asteroids are rerouted from the Earth by our own force of gravity and that of the Moon. However, sometimes this force is not strong enough and an asteroid does hit us.
Consequence
Small asteroids with fall apart in the Earth's atmosphere. But large asteroids will hit the ground, causing explosions and a wide area of impact. This usually results in damaged buildings and shattered glass even if they are miles away.
29. Insect Infestation
Usually, insects appear every now and then and we can easily protect ourselves from them. But in certain parts of the world, and at certain times of the year, their numbers are enormous.
Cause
Large numbers of insects in one place can happen for numerous reasons. Usually, it has to do with insect migration to different regions due to a loss of habitat. It can also happen during mating season.
Consequence
Even the cutest of insects can cause devastation in huge numbers. This is because they eat everything in sight on their way to their new home, and that means that they also travel over human crops and completely destroy them.
30. Disease Epidemics
Although we tend to forget this, bacteria and viruses are alive, and are part of natural phenomena. We like to think that we have them all under control, but this is not always the case.
Cause
Our technology has allowed us remarkable ways to control the spread of disease, as well as ways to cure it. This means that only a small number of people will catch a disease, and will be cured before someone else has the chance to catch it as well. But in the case when a virus or bacteria is out of control, there is little that we can do to stop it.
Consequence
Our health is a team effort. It relies on all of us being responsible as individuals and maintaining a level of hygiene that will protect us all. Any slip in this, and we could all be in danger.
