What is a cataclysm? This global change in the state of nature

In this article, we will consider some changes in the physical and geographical state of nature that occur on earth under the influence of cataclysms. Each locality has its own individual situation, and unique. And any physical and geographical change usually leads to the corresponding consequences in neighboring areas.

Here some catastrophes and cataclysms will be briefly described.

Definition of cataclysm

According to Ushakov's explanatory dictionary, the cataclysm (Greek kataklysmos - flood) is a sharp change in the nature and conditions of organic life on a large surface of the earth under the influence of destructive processes (atmospheric, volcanic). And the cataclysm is a steep coup, and destructive, in social life.

A sudden change in the physical-geographical state of the surface of the territory can be triggered only by natural phenomena or by the activity of the person himself. And this is a cataclysm.

Dangerous natural phenomena are those that change the state of the natural environment from the optimal range for human life. And catastrophic cataclysms change even the face of the Earth. These are processes of exogenous and endogenous origin.

Below, we consider some significant changes in nature that occur under the influence of cataclysms.

Types of natural disasters

All the cataclysms in the world have their own peculiarity. And recently they began to occur (and the most diverse origin) more and more often. These are earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, floods, falling meteorites, mudflows, avalanches and landslides, sudden offensive of water from the sea, subsidence of soils, severe climate change and many others. Other

Let's give a brief description of the three most terrible natural phenomena.

Earthquakes

The most important source of physical and geographical processes is an earthquake.

What is such a cataclysm? This is a concussion of the earth's crust, subterranean impacts and small fluctuations of the earth's surface, which are caused mainly by various tectonic processes. Often they are accompanied by a terrible underground rumble, the formation of cracks, undulating vibrations of the earth's surface, the destruction of buildings and other structures and, unfortunately, human victims.

Every year more than 1 million tremors are registered on planet Earth. And this represents about 120 shocks per hour or 2 shocks per minute. It turns out that the Earth is constantly in a state of shudder.

According to statistics, an average of one catastrophic earthquake occurs annually and approximately 100 devastating earthquakes. Such processes represent the consequences of lithosphere development, namely, its compression in some regions and expansion in others. Earthquakes are the most terrible cataclysm. This phenomenon leads to tectonic ruptures, uplifts and displacements.

For today on the earth zones of different activity of earthquakes are allocated. The zones of the Pacific and Mediterranean belts are among the most active in this regard. A total of 20% of the territory of Russia is subject to earthquakes of varying degrees.

The most horrific cataclysms of such a plan (9 points or more) occur in the regions of Kamchatka, the Pamirs, the Kuril Islands, Transcaucasia, Transbaikalia, and others.

7-9-point earthquakes are observed in vast areas, from Kamchatka to the Carpathians. This includes Sakhalin, Sayans, the Baikal region, the Crimea, Moldavia, and others.

Tsunami

When eruptions of volcanoes located on islands and under water, there is sometimes no less catastrophic cataclysm. This is a tsunami.

Translated from the Japanese language, this word refers to an unusually huge wave of destructive force that occurs in zones of volcanic activity and earthquakes in the ocean floor. Promotion of such a mass of water occurs at a speed of 50-1000 km per hour.

Tsunami, when approaching the coast, reaches a height of 10-50 meters or more. As a result, on the shore are terrible destruction. The causes of such a catastrophe can be and underwater landslides, and powerful avalanches, breaking into the sea.

The most dangerous places in terms of such disasters are the coasts of Japan, the Aleutian and Hawaiian islands, Alaska, Kamchatka, the Philippines, Canada, Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, Peru, New Zealand, Chile, the Aegean, Ionian and Adriatic seas.

Volcanoes

About cataclysm, which is a volcanic eruption, it is known that this is a complex of processes associated with the movement of magma.

Especially there are many of them in the Pacific belt. And again, in Indonesia, Central America and Japan, there are a lot of volcanoes. In total, they are on land up to 600 active and about 1000 sleeping.

Approximately 7% of the earth's population lives in proximity to active volcanoes. There are also underwater volcanoes. They are known on the mid-oceanic ridges.

Russian dangerous areas - the Kuril Islands, Kamchatka, Sakhalin. And in the Caucasus there are extinct volcanoes.

It is known that today active volcanoes erupt about once in 10-15 years.

Such a cataclysm is also a dangerous and terrifying disaster.

Conclusion

Recently, abnormal natural phenomena and sudden changes in temperature are constant companions of life on Earth. And all these phenomena strongly destabilize the planet. Therefore, future geophysical and natural-climatic changes, which pose a serious threat to the existence of all mankind, require from all peoples a constant readiness for action in such crisis conditions. According to certain estimates of scientists, people are still able to cope with the future consequences of such events.