The ingredients of cyclones are a mixture of heat and moisture. A natural event such as an earthquake will always result in a disaster. An underwater earthquake in the ocean near your area is a natural tsunami warning. A secondary effect of a volcanic eruption may be the saturation of ash with rain, causing roofs to collapse. The rapid rate of deforestation is a prime force in the yearly increase of flood disasters in the tropics.
Flash floods are rare in deserts and mountains.
Lands threatened by desertification cover 10 percent of the world's surface. Communicable diseases are a major threat after an earthquake. Drought will occur only in semiarid climates. The largest flood-related losses take place in countries with agricultural economies. Answer Key 1. a 2.