The document outlines an educational activity focused on natural disasters, aiming to help students explore the factors contributing to their occurrence and impact. Students are tasked with listing various disasters, discussing their local relevance, and analyzing specific case studies to consider how human influences may enhance the severity of these events today. Additionally, it encourages critical thinking through discussion questions about the nature and intensity of modern natural disasters compared to those of the past.

1. TEACHER MATERIALS
NATURAL DISASTERS
Purpose
Humans have been subject to the impact of natural disasters for as long as they have been on Earth. Disasters, unfortunately, are happening all the time. They are
typically the result of a variety of factors, which begs the question, are these “natural” disasters really natural, or are they a result of something else? This activity is
designed to get students to think about the variety of reasons why natural disasters occur.
Process
Ask students to take 30 seconds to make a list of all the types of natural disasters they can think of. Their lists will probably include most of the following:
earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, cyclones, floods, hurricanes, drought, and volcanic eruptions.
Go around the classroom and ask each student to share a disaster. Write these on the board until you have exhausted all of the students’ ideas. Then, have students
come up to the board and circle any of the disasters that could happen in the area where their school or home is. After that, take a minute or two to discuss which
disasters could, and which could not, occur your area.
Finally, have students look at the natural disasters chart. Tell them this lists some recent major disasters around the world. Have students choose one disaster
from the chart and ask them to brainstorm a list of all the factors that made this particular disaster so devastating. In addition, ask them to respond to the following
questions about the disaster:
1. Did your natural disaster have more of an impact today than it would have 50 or 100 years ago? Why?
2. Would the disaster have been as intense or as big 50 or 100 years ago? Why or why not?
3. Whom do these disasters impact the most? Why?
4. Are disasters today less “natural” than they use to be? Why or why not?
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.1 ACTIVITY
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2. TEACHER MATERIALS
NATURAL DISASTERS CHART
Type of Natural
Disaster
Location Date Death Toll
and Displaced
Persons
Notes
Mudslide Oso, Washington
(USA)
March 22, 2014 42 dead, one
missing
This mudslide covered an area of approximately 1 square mile.
Typhoon (Haiyan) Philippines November 8, 2013 6,000 dead, 3.6
million displaced
This typhoon had a 13-foot storm surge and winds of up to 235 miles
per hour. The typhoon destroyed much coastal infrastructure, including
water and sanitation systems, roads, and communication systems.
Tornado Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma (USA)
May 20, 2013 24 dead These tornadoes had winds of up to 200 miles per hour, and cut a
path about 12 miles wide through Oklahoma City. The previous week,
tornadoes had killed six people in North Texas.
Earthquake and Tsunami Fukushima, Japan March 11, 2011 19,000 dead This magnitude 9.0 earthquake did tremendous damage and caused
a tsunami that inflicted further damage. Three nuclear reactors at a
nearby nuclear power plant melted down, releasing radiation into the
surrounding areas.
Hurricane (Katrina) New Orleans,
Louisiana (USA)
August 2005 1,800 dead Hurricane Katrina had winds of up to 175 miles per hour. It is the fourth
most-powerful Atlantic hurricane since records have been kept. Eighty
percent of New Orleans flooded as a result of this hurricane.
Many natural disasters have a bigger impact today than they did 50 or 100 years ago. The severity of the disasters is usually larger, likely due to changing weather
patterns, changes in population density and housing. These are some of the things that students should consider when answering these questions.
After every group has had the opportunity to respond to the questions, focus in on the question about how “natural” natural disasters are today. Are human impacts
making these disasters worse? Have a class discussion about this, and try to play devil’s advocate if the students come to a quick agreement about how “natural”
natural disasters are.
Note: If your students love having debates, this is a great topic to use for a mini debate.
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.1 ACTIVITY
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3. STUDENT MATERIALS
NATURAL DISASTERS
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.1 ACTIVITY
Purpose
Humans have been subject to the impact of natural disasters for as long as they have been on Earth. Disasters, unfortunately, are happening all the time. They are
typically the result of a variety of factors, which begs the question, are these natural disasters really “natural,” or are they a result of something man made? This
activity is designed to get you to think about the variety of factors that contribute to natural disasters.
Process
Take 30 seconds to make a list of all the types of natural disasters you can think of. Your teacher will list your ideas on the board, and then ask some of you to come
up to the board and circle any of the disasters that could happen in the area where your school or home is. As a class, you’ll discuss which types of disasters might
occur in your area.
Then, look at the Natural Disaster Chart, which lists some major, recent disasters around the world. Choose one disaster from the chart and brainstorm a list of all
the factors that made this particular disaster so devastating. In addition, respond to the following questions about the disaster:
1. Did your natural disaster have more of an impact today than it would have 50 or 100 years ago? Why?
2. Would the disaster have been as intense or as big 50 or 100 years ago? Why or why not?
3. Whom do these disasters impact the most? Why?
4. Are disasters today less “natural” than they use to be? Why or why not?
(continues on next page)

4. STUDENT MATERIALS
NATURAL DISASTERS CHART
BIG HISTORY PROJECT / LESSON 10.1 ACTIVITY
Type of Natural
Disaster
Location Date Death Toll
and Displaced
Persons
Notes
Mudslide Oso, Washington
(USA)
March 22, 2014 42 dead, one
missing
This mudslide covered an area of approximately 1 square mile.
Typhoon (Haiyan) Philippines November 8, 2013 6,000 dead, 3.6
million displaced
This typhoon had a 13-foot storm surge and winds of up to 235 miles
per hour. The typhoon destroyed much coastal infrastructure, including
water and sanitation systems, roads, and communication systems.
Tornado Oklahoma City,
Oklahoma (USA)
May 20, 2013 24 dead These tornadoes had winds of up to 200 miles per hour, and cut a
path about 12 miles wide through Oklahoma City. The previous week,
tornadoes had killed six people in North Texas.
Earthquake and Tsunami Fukushima, Japan March 11, 2011 19,000 dead This magnitude 9.0 earthquake did tremendous damage and caused
a tsunami that inflicted further damage. Three nuclear reactors at a
nearby nuclear power plant melted down, releasing radiation into the
surrounding areas.
Hurricane (Katrina) New Orleans,
Louisiana (USA)
August 2005 1,800 dead Hurricane Katrina had winds of up to 175 miles per hour. It is the fourth
most-powerful Atlantic hurricane since records have been kept. Eighty
percent of New Orleans flooded as a result of this hurricane.
Most natural disasters do have a bigger impact today than they did 50 or 100 years ago. The severity of the disasters is usually larger, likely due to changing
weather patterns, changes in population density and housing. These are some of the things that you should consider when answering these questions.
Now, think about the question about how “natural” natural disasters are today. Are human impacts making these disasters worse? Discuss this with your class, and
do your best to see both sides of the issue.
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