Natural disasters are extreme natural events that can cause widespread damage to people, animals, the environment, and infrastructure.

They occur spontaneously (e.g., earthquakes) or gradually (e.g., droughts), and often trigger crises and emergency situations.

The causes can be geological, meteorological, or climatic.

Common natural disasters include earthquakes, hurricanes, floods, and droughts.

Humans can sometimes indirectly influence the frequency or severity of such disasters through interventions in the environment.