Courses
Courses for Kids
Free study material
Offline Centres
More
Store Icon
Store

How can natural disasters impact the environment?

seo-qna
SearchIcon
Answer
VerifiedVerified
428.4k+ views
Hint: The natural environment includes both living and nonliving things that arise naturally. Many of the Earth's physical surroundings are called the environment. The ecosystem involves the interaction between all living organisms, population, climate and natural resources that influence human survival.

Complete answer:
A natural disaster is a significant adverse occurrence arising from natural processes of the Earth. Floods, tornadoes, volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, tsunamis, storms, and other geological processes are involved in natural disasters. A natural disaster can lead to the loss of life or property damage. Other catastrophes, such as wildfires, floods and tornadoes, can completely defoliate forests and cause ecosystems to experience other forms of structural changes. Wildlife may be destroyed or indirectly affected by the force of the disaster by changes in habitat and food supply. When habitats are lost, endangered species are particularly vulnerable. Water quality is affected when sewage treatment plants flood or sediment reaches rivers and waterways. The health of the population is directly and indirectly impacted by natural and man-made disasters. Natural disasters in the urban environment can affect historic structures. New licenses, inspections and upgrades may be needed for infrastructure such as bridges, highways, transmission lines, and oil and gas pipelines. Flooded industrial sites emit toxic substances to flood project sites which leave groundwater, watersheds, and the oceans untreated.

Therefore, natural disasters impact the environment heavily.

Note:
Natural disasters affect animals mostly by habitat impacts. Natural disaster can place you at risk of problems with mental and physical wellbeing. By impacting the healthcare system, natural disasters can increase morbidity and mortality associated with chronic diseases and infectious diseases.