Tornadoes are a significant threat, particularly to states in the mid-continent. An average of 1,000 tornadoes are reported each year across the United States, taking 80 lives and causing over 1,500 injuries. The loss of life could have been considerably greater, but early warnings and evacuations limited the number of people in the immediate vicinity. Some of the nation's largest volcanoes are situated in areas where population is rapidly expanding. Active volcanoes in Alaska threaten air routes and commercial fishing.
Landslides are a widespread hazard, affecting the entire country.
Landslides commonly occur with other major natural disasters such as earthquakes and floods that exacerbate relief and reconstruction efforts. Natural hazards have been pervasive throughout colonial and U.S. history. Hurricanes Andrew and Floyd are recent in our memory. However, we just observed the centennial of the Galveston hurricane of 1900, and even Columbus' fortunes were affected by hurricanes. This summer's wildfires have resulted in far less loss of life than the Midwest wildfires of 1871.