Earthquakes are the sudden shaking or vibration of the Earth's surface caused by the release of energy in the Earth's crust. This energy is typically generated by movements of tectonic plates along faults, which are fractures in the Earth's crust.
Flooding is the overflow of water onto land that is normally dry. Water from sources such as rain, rivers, lakes, or the sea can exceed its normal boundaries and inundate the surrounding area. Floods can happen suddenly (flash floods) or gradually.
Landslides occur when ground on slopes becomes unstable. The unstable ground collapses and flows down the side of a hill or mountain, and can consist of earth, rocks, mud and any debris which may be caught in its wake.
An oil spill is the release of liquid petroleum into the environment, typically into oceans, due to an accident or leak of an oil transporting vessel, oil platform, or drilling operation. They can harm wildlife, ecosystems, and local economies, especially in fishing and tourism.
Dangerous conditions caused by the accumulation of snow or ice can occur in regions with cold climates. These hazards can impact transportation, infrastructure, and public safety, resulting in accidents, disruptions, and damage.
Storms are weather phenomena that form over the ocean through the release of energy generated by the evaporation and saturation of water on the ocean's surface.
A tsunami is a series of large sea waves caused by underwater disturbances, such as earthquakes. These waves can travel rapidly across oceans and cause significant destruction when they reach coastal areas. Storms with strong winds can also cause hazardous coastal waves
A volcano is an opening in the Earth's crust typically formed at tectonic plate boundaries or over hotspots and can create mountains or craters over time. A volcanic eruption is when molten rock (magma), gases, and ash escape from beneath the surface, resulting in explosions, lava flows, and the ejection of volcanic ash and gases into the atmosphere.
Wildfires occur when vegetated areas are set alight and are particularly common during hot and dry periods.
In addition to the most common forms of natural disasters, there are other types of disasters which may benefit from satellite observations.