Disaster Chapter

Author: Editorial Committee of "Exploring Nature Series"
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-01-01
Features: Looking back at the history of humanity, we can see that the causes of disasters mainly fall into two categories: natural variations and human influences. Their manifestations also come in two forms: natural disasters and man-made disasters. Therefore, disasters primarily caused by natural variations and manifested as natural disasters are typically referred to as natural disasters, such as earthquakes, storm surges, droughts, floods, and landslides. Disasters primarily caused by human influences and manifested as man-made disasters are called man-made disasters, such as fires and traffic accidents caused by human actions. Disasters caused by natural variations but manifested as man-made disasters are referred to as natural-man-made disasters, such as large-scale epidemics during solar activity peaks. Disasters caused by human influences but manifested as natural disasters are called man-made natural disasters, such as soil erosion caused by excessive deforestation and subsidence caused by over-extraction of groundwater.
The harm of natural disasters to humanity mainly manifests in two aspects: causing casualties and property losses to individuals, collectives, and the state. In today's society, urban construction, transportation and energy facilities, factories, and research institutions are highly complex and massive 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 blows to the operation of the economy and society. The destruction of lifeline infrastructure such as water sources, power, transportation, and energy can also paralyze the entire city's production and living order. Therefore, the indirect economic losses caused by the destruction of structures and systems are often much larger than the direct economic losses.