When a tidal wave destroyed coastal villages or earthquakes toppled towns in ancient times, people believed the gods and goddesses were angry.
Natural disasters remain mysterious and unpredictable.
Whether you're creating a science project or preparing for a future career as a storm chaser, you'll find tons of information on the Web. Elementary students should check out The Disaster Area, a fun site from the Federal Emergency Management Agency that is packed with information on tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis and more. The U.S. Geological Survey offers great Earthquake Information. Click to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake to see the seismographic record, read eyewitness accounts and view photographs. Get ideas for projects at Seismology at the Science Fair, which provides an inspiring list of topics.