A natural disaster is a catastrophic event caused by natural processes. Earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, wildfires, and volcanic eruptions all qualify. The event itself is natural. The disaster is not. It happens when a hazard meets human vulnerability. A hurricane striking an empty coast is a storm. The same storm hitting a crowded city becomes a disaster.

Losses have risen sharply. Not because hazards are more frequent everywhere, but because more people live in risky places. Coastal cities expand. Floodplains get developed. Forests are cleared, increasing landslide and fire risk. Climate change intensifies some hazards. The combination of exposure and stronger events drives up damage.

Disaster risk is not evenly distributed. Poor countries suffer more deaths. Rich countries suffer more property damage. Building codes, early warning systems, and land-use planning reduce risk. So does insurance, though it often prices out the poorest. The most effective disaster policy is prevention, not response. Spending on resilience before an event costs less than rebuilding after.

Common types

• Earthquakes
• Hurricanes and typhoons
• Floods
• Wildfires
• Volcanic eruptions