Headlines shout the news of one natural disaster after another as thousands of lives are lost, buildings and homes are destroyed, and Earth's surface is drastically altered.
Experts claim that the number of natural disasters each year is on the rise.
According to Reliefweb, a United Nations project, over 70 natural disasters occurred worldwide during 1997. At left is a gallery of natural disasters that appear to be on the increase and are thought to be caused by a general rise in atmospheric temperature. All rights reserved.