39 Items Tagged

Natural Disaster

The lights of Los Angeles shine behind this mountain lion, photographed with a motion sensor camera. These big cats share the scrubby landscape with wealthy suburbs.

How Will California’s Wildfires Affect Wildlife?

From fleeing mountain lions to scorched soil, the aftermath of intense fires shows an ecosystem transformed.

Phoebe Weston January 21, 2025

Firefighters and natural resource specialists wrap the base of General Sherman, the largest tree in the world by volume, with fire-resistant material.

In the National Parks, Fire Crews Do More Than Fight Fires

Protecting sensitive habitats and cultural resources from the smoke and flames is part of the job too.

Cameron Walker January 13, 2025

A satellite image shows smoke from the Palisades Fire spreading across Los Angeles and out into the Pacific Ocean on January 7, 2025.

The Unusually Strong Force Driving Apocalyptic Los Angeles Wildfires

Powerful seasonal winds combined with drought-starved vegetation have made the Palisades Fire one of the worst in California history.

Umair Irfan January 9, 2025

In Pompeii, four individuals who perished together were long thought to be a mother, father, and their two children. New research says otherwise.

In Pompeii, the Dead Have New Stories to Tell

What we got wrong about some of the ancient city's most famous victims.

Roxanne Hoorn November 11, 2024

Toronto, Ontario

Hurricane Hazel Memorial Plaque

At a bridge over the Humber river, markers show the effects of the deadliest hurricane in Canadian history.

Sunshine Valley, British Columbia

Hope Slide

The morning of January 9, 1965, over 46 million cubic meters of earth, rock, and snow broke free, obliterating a section of the highway below.

People visit the beach in in Fort Myers, Florida, as storm clouds gather ahead of Hurricane Milton's arrival.

As Hurricane Milton Approaches, Communities Repair and Prepare

In the wake of one hurricane and the looming shadow of another, millions find creative ways to face a crisis.

Atlas Obscura October 8, 2024

Galveston, Texas

1900 Storm Memorial

This memorial and the seawall that it stands near are powerful symbols of the island’s resilience.

Our planet frequently gets dinged with smaller, harmless asteroids like RW1. Planetary defense systems able to detect them should also be able to spot bigger threats.

Asteroid 2024 RW1 Just Hit Earth. That's a Good Thing.

The asteroid that exploded over Luzon was not a threat—but it was a victory for our planetary defense systems.

Robin George Andrews September 5, 2024

The crumbling tracks of the Ozarka Splash ride at Six Flags New Orleans.

The Brief Rise and Steep Fall of a New Orleans Amusement Park

Nearly 20 years after Hurricane Katrina, the abandoned Six Flags that became a symbol of the city still bears deep scars.

Matthew Christopher August 5, 2024

Trees and other plants can’t escape wildfire smoke.

Trees Hold Their Breath to Avoid Wildfire Smoke

Researchers made the surprise discovery when wildfire smoke blanketed their test site.

Delphine Farmer and Mj Riches August 5, 2024

Brooklyn, New York

Urban Post-Disaster Housing Prototype

An interim housing alternative to FEMA trailers that is designed for densely populated areas during recovery and rebuilding following a natural disaster.

Cougar, Washington

Trail of Two Forests

See the imprints of ancient trees, burned and preserved by lava.

Armero, Colombia

Armero, Colombia

A town half-submerged in volcanic mud has become a pilgrimage site for devotees of one of the tragedy's victims.

Flemming, Montserrat

Montserrat Volcano Observatory

Safely view the Soufrière Hills volcano, which has been erupting since 1995.

Lisbon, Portugal

Church of St. Dominic

The scorched Lisbon church that survived two earthquakes and a massive fire.

Is your state in danger of an earthquake? Well, yes.

Not Even Minnesota Is Safe From Earthquakes

Was the recent New York quake really all that uncommon? Here's a state-by-state map.

Frank Jacobs April 12, 2024

The beautiful Italian town has been left deserted since the '70s due to an aborted eruption.

A False Volcano Emergency Created This Stunning Abandoned Village

Welcome to the ghost town of a modern Vesuvius that never happened.

Alessio Perrone February 27, 2024