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