Exploring Nature Series - Disaster Edition

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Features: Throughout human history, the causes of disasters can be mainly attributed to two factors: natural variations and human influences. Their manifestations also fall into two categories: natural disasters and man-made disasters. Therefore, disasters primarily caused by natural variations and manifesting as natural disasters are termed natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storm surges, droughts, floods, and landslides. Disasters primarily caused by human influences and manifesting as man-made disasters are termed man-made disasters, such as human-caused fires and traffic accidents. Disasters caused by natural variations but manifesting as man-made disasters are termed natural-man-made disasters, such as large-scale epidemics during solar maximum years. Disasters caused by human influences but manifesting as natural disasters are termed man-made natural disasters, such as soil erosion caused by excessive deforestation and ground subsidence caused by over-extraction of groundwater. The harm caused by natural disasters to humans is primarily reflected in two aspects: casualties and property losses at the national, collective, and individual levels. In today's society, urban buildings, transportation and energy facilities, factories, and research institutions are highly complex and large-scale systems. Once these man-made structures are damaged by natural disasters, they can fall into a state of disarray, bringing immense destruction or even catastrophic impacts to the operation of the economy and society. The destruction of lifeline systems such as water sources, electricity, transportation, and energy can also paralyze the production and living order of entire cities. Therefore, the indirect economic losses caused by the destruction of structures and systems are often much greater than direct economic losses. The book covers seven parts, including geological disasters, marine disasters, environmental disasters, disasters in exploration, meteorological disasters, biological disasters, and disasters from outer space.