Natural threat

A natural threat is a threat stemming from natural causes.

Taxonomy

An agreed, common classification of natural threats does not exist. The methodical classification of all threats, drafted in the EU project VITA , probably comes closest. A simplified version of the natural threats in this classification is:

• Earth
  • Shock (earthquake, volcanic energy release)
  • Fast movement (Landslide)
  • Slow movement (setting, erosion)
  • Melting (volcano)
• Water
  • Precipitation(rain, snow, hail)
  • Suspended in air (fog, clouds)
  • High water (deluge, floods, rising ground water)
  • Drought
  • Solid (black ice, piling of snow, avalanche, freeze-up)
• Air
  • Movement (wind)
  • Material transport (e.g. sandstorm, tornado)
• Space
  • Meteorites
• Electromagnetic
  • Lightning
  • Solar storm·
• Fire
  • Due to flammable materials (forest, heath)
  • Due to geothermal activity (volcano)
• Biological
  • Viruses (human, animal or plant disease)
  • Bacteria (human, animal or plant disease)
  • Fungi (human, animal or plant disease)
  • Growing vegetation
  • Animals (plague)

Whereas the examples given between brackets are not exhaustive, the classification itself should be.