National Geographic News - Natural Disasters

Worst Volcanoes Even More Dangerous Than Feared

Wed, 7 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Long-dormant volcanoes—including in Yellowstone—can awaken in a matter of hours, spewing a superheated, fast-moving mix of toxic gas and ash, according to a new study of a massive 2008 eruption in Chile.

Were Last Week's Pacific Earthquakes Connected?

Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

Five big earthquakes struck in four days along the Pacific's Rim of Fire. Coincidence? Scientists aren't so sure.

WEEK IN PHOTOS: New Dino-Bird, Tsunami, Hubble, More

Fri, 2 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

See the latest, four-winged evidence that birds are dinosaurs in disguise, the guts of Nero's rotating dining room, a new Hubble stunner, and more.

Quakes Rock Pacific Islands

Thu, 1 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000

A second earthquake shook western Indonesia Thursday as the death toll rose above 500 from Wednesday's powerful quake. Plus, see a computer simulation of Tuesday's Samoan quake and the resulting tsunami waves. Video.

TSUNAMI PICTURES: Samoa, Tonga Hit by Deadly Waves

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Whole villages have been wiped out and scores are dead after an earthquake in the South Pacific triggered a tsunami that swept across several islands, including American Samoa, which has now been declared a major disaster area.

VIDEO: Samoa Tsunami Flattens Villages

Wed, 30 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Tsunami waves, sparked by a powerful underwater earthquake, swept away people and cars and flattened villages in Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga in the South Pacific on Tuesday—as seen in amateur video.

Tsunami Warning Signs, Facts in Wake of Samoa Quake

Thu, 1 Jan 1970 00:00:00 +0000

In light of Tuesday's Samoan islands tsunami, find out how tsunamis are caused, what the warning signs are, and how to respond.

New Species: Fanged Frog, More Found in Mekong

Mon, 28 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

New species discovered along Asia's Mekong River in 2008—including a leopard gecko and a fanged frog that eats birds—are already under serious threat because of climate change, WWF says. Video.

Supertyphoons to Strike Japan Due to Global Warming

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

Increasingly powerful storms will devastate the country as rising temperatures add jolts of energy to typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean, scientists say.

WEEK IN PHOTOS: Burning People, Planet Birth, and More

Thu, 24 Sep 2009 00:00:00 +0000

See Ohio daredevils stage their own Burning Man festival, a planet take shape, whiskers go wild, and more in the week's best news pictures.