Far from being a California problem, earthquakes are a national problem. Since 1900, earthquakes have caused damage in all 50 states. The latest U.S. Census figures show that 50 percent of our country's population lives within 50 miles of the coast, making them vulnerable to hurricanes and tsunamis. More than one third of the world's largest and fasting growing cities are now in regions of high seismic risk. Many of these are in developing countries where poor construction methods increase the dangers.
Natural disasters are the result of geophysical or meteorological disturbances.
The phenomena which cause disasters are earthquakes and cyclonic storms, usually of tropical origin, but seismic activity under the sea can cause cause floods and tsunamis far from the center of the disturbance. Besides direct damage due to flooding, wind forces and earth movement, slope failures and outbreaks of fire may cause further damage and loss of life. Volcanic activity, besides being the cause of some earthquakes, can also cause damage from lava and ash. Currently, natural disasters are seen as a combination of nature, technology and poverty. For example, famine may be triggered by drought.