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.