Like the flight of a bird, a summer rain, ocean tides, lightning during a storm, or a prolonged drought, natural phenomena occur every day without our noticing. Yet, some draw more attention, such as volcanic eruptions, earthquakes, the emergence of a new virus, or major floods. Even so, if they occur in an uninhabited region and do not cause significant material damage, they remain merely natural phenomena. If, however, they strike populated areas, causing deaths, injuries, production disruptions, major financial losses, and displacement, only then are they considered natural disasters.
There are also technological disasters caused, intentionally or not, by human action—such as armed conflicts, terrorist attacks, structural failures in major construction projects, misguided political and economic decisions, and harmful environmental degradation—which are just as, if not more, dangerous and destructive.
Some disasters are sudden-onset, offering little opportunity for preparation—such as earthquakes, terrorist attacks, tsunamis, major dam failures, flash floods, or landslides. Others are slow-onset, allowing for gradual preparation, such as prolonged droughts, epidemics of new deadly viruses, civil wars, severe political and economic instability, agricultural pests, and unexpected climate changes.
