You can't open a newspaper these days without noticing a new headline, screaming of yet another natural atrocity. From the devastation caused by the Haiti earthquake, to the Tsunami that claimed the lives of 229,000 people in Indonesia, natural disasters seem to have increased ten-fold since the turn of the century.
In January 2010, the Centre for Research on the Epidemiology of Disasters delivered the results of a study conducted between 2000-2009, cataloging the number of natural disasters which had occurred around the globe. Between 2000 and 2009, 385 natural disasters were recorded, ranging from volcanic eruptions to earthquakes, and varying largely in scale. The findings showed a 67 per cent increase in the number recorded, in comparison to 1990-1999, and a 233 per cent since 1980-1989. Over 60% of these natural disasters were caused by earthquakes and tremors, with the remainder including droughts and floods.
CRED Director, Debarati Guha-Sapir agreed that there had been a significant increase in climate-related natural disasters, however Sapir was quick to add that, "CRED lacked sufficient research to determine the role of global warming in the increase in climate-related natural disasters". While this may be the case, it cannot be denied that natural disasters have seen an alarming and unprecedented increase since records began in 1950.
The most significant natural disasters of this decade, have been those which involved death tolls in the upper thousands, and even hundred thousands. The October 2005 earthquake in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir claimed the lives of over 80,000 people. Capital city, Muzaffarabad saw some of the worst devastation since it was one of the most densely populated areas. Measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale the earthquake was of enough force to completely demolish buildings, however it was the 140 aftershocks which kept the area on high alert, as well as increasing the number of fatalities. The earthquake destroyed 1000 hospitals in Kashmir, leading to international efforts being called in to assist some 3.3 million people left injured and homeless.
In December 2004, the second largest earthquake ever recorded, occurred beneath the Indian Ocean. Measuring between 9.1 and 9.3 at it's epicentre, the earthquake caused a tsunami so large in scale that it hit over fourteen different countries. The worst hit was Indonesia, followed by Sri Lanka, India and Thailand. Fatalities exceeded 230,000, and the disaster has become known as one of the deadliest in history. In May 2010, Indonesia was once again put on high alert when a seismic shift caused an earthquake measuring over 7.4 on the Richter scale occurred off Aceh, prompting fears of a repeat performance, comparable to 2004.
Earthquakes were once thought to be primarily caused by natural seismic activity beneath the Earth's surface, however scientific research suggests that climate change is playing a huge part in the increase, and power behind the seismic shifts.
In 2006, geo-scientist Allen Glazner, from the University of North Carolina spoke to Sharon Begley of the Wall Street Journal, regarding research which looked at seismic and volcanic activity stretching back over 800,000 years. Glazner's analysis found that "the peaks of volcanic activity occurred when ice was retreating globally". His research suggests that recent reports of melting glaciers in the North Pole have a significant contribution to the increase in volcanic and seismic events around the globe. The process is known as isostatic rebound, whereby the ice weight fluctuations have a direct impact on the rocks beneath them. Fluctuations in the weight of ice, as well as the increase in water from melting ice-caps can put considerable strain on weaker areas, where seismic shifts are already common.
There is also a direct correlation between man's effect upon climate change, and the alteration in weather frequencies worldwide. A number of studies have found that particulate matter from the burning of fuels is contributing to the destruction of the ozone layer, which in turn is assisting in global warming. Rises in the earth temperature, coupled with atmospheric changes have a huge impact on tides and weather conditions. Global warming is thought to be the major contributor to increased droughts and heatwaves around the world.
The European heatwave which occurred between June and August 2003 is a prime example of how global warming is impacting the earth. The heatwave primarily affected Western Europe, with Britain, France, Spain, Germany and Switzerland experiencing temperatures which exceeded 40 degrees celsius, as well as major water shortages. Over 37,000 Europeans died during the heatwave, and the ensuing droughts and water issues had a devastating impact on crops. Economies from agriculture to manufacturing were affected.
So could it be that the ten fold increase in natural disasters since records began in 1950 are the result of man's influence on the environment?
Studies carried out worldwide on natural phenomena would suggest so. From the melting of glaciers, to the destruction of the ozone layer, the planet is struggling to maintain it's natural equilibrium, thus we see increased levels of powerful activity as it attempts to deal with the strains of pollution and global warming. If changes do not occur soon, the level of destruction caused by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunamis may begin to wipe out man-kind, continent by continent, until we ourselves become as extinct as the glaciers we affect.