Weather & Natural Disasters
General Weather / Disaster Sites
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Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters - A chronological list of weather-related disasters occurring between 1980-2008, with overall damages and costs of $1 billion or more at the time of the event. Includes a short paragraph describing each disaster. (National Climatic Data Center)
Climate - A brief overview of what climate is, and the difference between climate and weather. Includes selected links to additional climate and weather resources. (Environmental Literacy Council)
Climatic Extremes and Weather Events - An archive of U.S. weather data (such as amounts of precipitation, temperatures, and costs of damage) for various kinds of severe weather, including hurricanes, droughts, and tornadoes. High school and up. (National Climatic Data Center)
Disaster Area - This site for kids provides the basics on a variety of disasters; middle school and up (FEMA). See also Wild Weather; age level varies (National Center for Atmospheric Research).
Disaster Photos - Great photos of floods, fires, earthquakes, tornadoes, and other disasters. Choose your disaster, then click on a photo to make it bigger; all ages. (FEMA)
Discover Our Earth 
- Basic information plus activities and data on earthquakes, volcanoes, topography, and plate tectonics. Includes interactive mapping tools. High school and up (Cornell University). For more on plate tectonics, see the
Earth, Geology, Rocks & Minerals section of our SCIENCE, MATH & TECHNOLOGY page.
Emergency Preparedness - The basics about many different types of disasters and how to prepare for and protect yourself from their effects (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). The U.S. National Library of Medicine offers links to additional information on Disaster Preparation & Recovery. High school and up
Forces of Change - Examines the forces driving current changes in climate, ecology, and culture, their origins, and how we might adapt to deal with them. Topics covered include Earth's atmosphere, soil, the Arctic, and El Niño. (Smithsonian)
Forces of Nature - Information, activities, quizzes, interviews, and real-life stories on avalanches, droughts, earthquakes, flooding, fog & mist, forest fires, hurricanes, landslides, monsoons, phenomena, severe storms, snowstorms, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanoes, windstorms. High school and up. (2000, ThinkQuest Library)
Global Disaster Information Portal 
- Information on all kinds of disasters, natural and synthetic (including war and terrorism). Explains how disasters happen, consequences, responses, past incidents, and case studies. High school and up; includes a glossary of terms. Site may be slow to load. (2006, ThinkQuest Library)
Hazards - In-depth reports on all kinds of natural hazards, as well as various technologies and methods for predicting and managing hazards. Some in PDF format; college or advanced high school students. (US Geological Survey)
Jetstream Online Weather School - Lessons in weather and weather safety, arranged by subject. Covers the basics of large scale weather patterns, thunderstorms, lightning, hail, damaging winds, tornados, tropical storms, cyclones, flooding and more; includes review quizzes for each topic. High school and up. (National Weather Service)
Natural Disasters in the News 
- In-depth, ongoing news coverage of current or recent disasters and their aftermath, including the China Earthquake &
Myanmar Cyclone of May 2008, the
Indian Ocean Tsunami of 2004, and
Hurricane Katrina. Also covers historic disasters. High school and up. (Guardian News and Media Limited, UK; commercial site)
Nature Unleashed
- Explores the science, history, and human impact of tornadoes, hurricanes, volcanoes, and earthquakes. Includes an excellent photo gallery. (Field Museum)
Virtual Courseware for Earth & Environmental Sciences - Interactive tutorials, animations, and photographs teach students about earthquakes, global warming, and other earth science topics. College or advanced high school students. (California State University)
WeatherScope Student Activities - A collection of hands-on activities and real-time data investigations to help you develop a basic understanding of how weather conditions are tracked and measured. Projects include 'Make a Weather Station', 'Use the Internet to observe Weather', and 'Track Weather like a Meteorologist'. For more classroom activities on weather and related subjects, see CIESE Real Time Data Projects. K-12, grade level varies with different projects. (Stevens Institute of Technology)
What Forces Affect Our Weather? - Explore the forces behind the weather and learn more about the earth's atmosphere & water cycle, powerful storms, ice & snow, and weather forecasting, with this instructional text and interactive activities. Includes links to more resources. High school and up. (Annenberg Media)
Why Disasters Are Getting Worse - Article examining why disasters are not only getting more common, but why they seem to be affecting us in worse ways. Includes links to related articles and other information. High school and up. (Time Magazine, commercial site)
Wild Weather Adventure! - 'Play the Wild Weather Adventure game. Your weather research blimp will explore Earth and its weather. With luck, skill, and strategy, you will race other weather research blimps to be first to travel all the way around the world and win the game. You can play with your friends or by yourself with a computer opponent.' Middle school and up. (NASA)
Global Climate Change
Climate and Global Change - What climate is, how it works, climates of the past, climate change today, and more. Choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced version from the top menu bar. (University of Michigan).
Climate Change Kids' Site - Explains the basics of climate and climate change, possible impacts of global warming, and actions individuals can take to slow global warming. Middle school and up (U.S. EPA). See also 'Ology: Climate Change for Kids (American Museum of Natural History).
Climate Connections - A collection of articles, radio reports, and other materials on different aspects of climate change. High school and up. (NPR / National Geographic)
The Discovery of Global Warming / Climate Change - 'A hypertext history of how scientists came to (partly) understand what people are doing to cause climate change.' This overview includes links to more detailed information. High school and up. (©2007, Scientist/Author Spencer Weart and American Institute of Physics)
Dimming the Sun - Examines new evidence that air pollution has masked the full impact of global warming, suggesting the world may soon face a heightened climate crisis. Includes articles, timeline, video clip, and a slide show on clean air technologies that can help. High school and up. (©2006, PBS; commercial site)
Global Climate Change - Recent news and analysis on climate change from New Scientist Magazine, with FAQs and other background material on the issue. Some articles are available only to subscribers. New Scientist also offers a free special report, Climate Change: A Guide for the Perplexed which addresses common myths and misconceptions about climate change. High school and up (commercial site). See also Climate Change FAQs (Scripps Institution of Oceanography).
Global Warming Facts & Our Future - Explains the Greenhouse Effect, the carbon cycle, the causes of climate change, past and predicted changes, impacts of change, and more, with interactive / multimedia online activities. High school and up. (National Academy of Sciences)
Global Warming: The One Degree Factor - Explores the possible effects of global climate change (PBS / National Geographic; commercial site). See also What's Up with the Weather? (©2000, PBS; commercial site). High school and up.
Greenhouse - Explains what climate is, and how and why our climate is changing. (National Center for Atmospheric Research). See also Life in a Greenhouse (NASA). Elementary and middle school.
Ice Stories: Dispatches from Polar Scientists - A special series of Webcasts highlighting the work of scientists at field sites surrounding the North and South Poles. The
Climate Change section offers presentations that focus on global warming and its impact on the environment. High school and up. (Exploratorium Museum of Science)
Reports from a Warming Planet - In-depth radio documentary, with accompanying photos and text, takes you to parts of the planet where early signs of climate change are showing up across vastly differing landscapes: 'from melting outposts near the Arctic Circle to disappearing glaciers high in the Andes; from the rising water in the deltas of Bangladesh to the 'sinking' atolls of the Pacific.' See also
Climate of Uncertainty. High school and up. (American Public Media; commercial site)
Specific Weather / Disaster Topics
Acid Rain - Explains what acid rain is, what causes it, why it is harmful, and possible solutions. Includes games and activities. Middle school and up. (US EPA)
Air Pollution - Explains what air pollution is and describes the different types of pollutants and their sources, how pollution is transported through the air, and its effects on human health and the environment. Choose beginner, intermediate, or advanced version from the top menu bar. (University of Michigan).
Avalanche Awareness - Basic avalanche facts, black & white photos; also includes a 'true account' and list of books. High school and up. (University of Colorado)
Blizzards and Snowstorms - The history of blizzards and snowstorms in the U.S., invention of the snowplow, the blizzards of 1888 and 1996, and more. High school and up (National Snow and Ice Data Center). See also How Blizzards Form; for elementary and middle school students. There is also an alternate version of this page. (National Center for Atmospheric Research)
Clouds - Explains different types of clouds, how clouds form, and how they can affect our lives; for elementary and middle school students. (National Center for Atmospheric Research)
Cryosphere - The term 'cryosphere' refers to those parts of the earth where water is in solid form, including snow cover, glaciers, icebergs, ice caps, ice sheets, seasonally frozen ground and perennially frozen ground (permafrost). This site offers 'a range of information about Earth's snow and ice, from comprehensive 'All About' sections to quick facts on popular snow and ice topics.' Middle school and up. (National Snow and Ice Data Center)
Drought for Kids - Explores the causes and effects of drought, plus maps, graphs, games, puzzles, and more (University of Nebraska). Drought: A Paleo Perspective focuses on the historic and economic aspects of drought (NOAA). Both sites for high school and up.
Earthquakes for Kids - Earthquake FAQs, history, science project ideas, earthquake lists, and more; middle school and up. The USGS also offers links to additional learning materials on earthquakes at the elementary, middle school, high school, and college level. (U.S. Geological Survey)
El Niño & La Niña - Facts about El Niño and La Niña, including FAQs, impacts, and data, with images; high school and up (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). See also Earthguide: El Niño; high school and up (University of California).
Fire Wars - Explains how firefighters battle wildfires. Includes the basics of combustion, specialized gear, glossary of fire terms, wildfire simulator, links, and more; high school and up (©2002, PBS; commercial site). Learn about Australian Bushfires at
Bushfire Weather (Commonwealth of Australia).
Flood! - Stories and images of floods worldwide; high school and up (© 1997, PBS; commercial site). See Mystery of the Megaflood to learn about a catastrophic flood that scarred thousands of square miles in the American Northwest thousands of years ago; high school and up (©2005, PBS; commercial site). Younger students (elementary & middle school), see Floods for Kids (FEMA).
Glacier Story - Tracks the birth, forward movement, and retreat of a glacier, or moving ice sheet; high school and up (National Snow and Ice Data Center). For FAQs and myths about glaciers, see Glaciers (US Geological Survey).
Heat Wave - This overview of heat waves explains how heat affects the human body, heat wave hazards, and heat wave safety. High school and up. (National Weather Service)
Hurricanes - Explains how hurricanes form. There is also an alternate version of this page. (National Center for Atmospheric Research). See also Hurricanes for Kids (FEMA) and How Do Hurricanes Form? (NASA). For elementary and middle school students. New Scientist's Hurricanes page offers news stories and analysis related to hurricanes; high school and up. Some articles are available only to subscribers (New Scientist Magazine).
Landslides and Mudslides - Briefly explains the causes of landslides and 'debris flows', areas at risk, possible health effects, and how to protect yourself. Includes links to more information. High school and up. (US Centers for Disease Control)
Magnetic Storm - Examines the possibility of changes to the earth's magnetic field and how they might affect life on the planet. High school and up. (©2003, PBS; commercial site)
Monsoon - Explores the causes and effects of the heavy rains which cause deadly floods in India, but are also needed by farmers to coax their crops from the soil. High school and advanced middle school students. (©1997, PBS; commercial site)
Oil & Chemical Spills - Find out about how spills happen, clean up methods, and environmental impact, and read about the Exxon Valdez spill and other large oil spills. Includes some experiments to try yourself! (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)
Sinkholes - Explains how sinkholes form, the different types of sinkholes, and where they can be found. Includes map, diagrams, and two photos. High school and up. (US Geological Survey)
Thunderstorms and Lightning - Explains how thunderstorms and lightning happen; for elementary and middle school students. There are alternate versions of these pages. (National Center for Atmospheric Research)
Tornadoes: WhyFiles - Explores the whys and hows of tornadoes, with lots of images. Click on the first snapshot to get started. For high school students (University of Wisconsin). See also
How Tornadoes Form for elementary and middle school students. There is an alternate version of this page. Shows you how to make a Tornado! (National Center for Atmospheric Research). See also Hunt for the Supertwister; high school and up (©2004, PBS; commercial site)
Tsunamis - Explains what a tsunami is and how a new warning system may help save lives. For elementary and middle school students (NASA). See also
Earthguide: Tsunami [UPDATED LINK!] (University of California) and Tsunami Facts (Commonwealth of Australia); high school and up.
Volcano World - An extensive website on volcanoes; includes images and video. Click on
For Educators for volcano facts, how to build volcano models, glossary and more; age level varies (Oregon State University). Earth Observatory: Volcanoes offers great satellite photos of active volcanoes from 2000 through the present (NASA). See also
Volcanoes (Annenberg Media) and Shadow of Vesuvius (©1997, PBS; commercial site). Mystery of the Megavolcano looks at clues to a massive volcanic eruption that appears to have had a devastating impact on the Earth 75,000 years ago, and compares it with more recent large eruptions (©2006, PBS; commercial site). High school and up.
Water Cycle - 'Earth's water is always in movement, and the water cycle, also known as the hydrologic cycle, describes the continuous movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth.' Choose a topic from the diagram or text links to learn more about the water cycle. Middle school and up (US Geological Survey). A lesson plan for grades 8-12 on The Water Cycle and Global Warming includes related links and materials for teachers and students (Baylor College of Medicine).
Winter Weather - Explains how snowflakes form, how blizzards happen, and how rain, snow, sleet, or freezing rain are predicted. For elementary and middle school students. (National Center for Atmospheric Research)
Individual Events
See also:
HISTORY: WORLD/INTERNATIONAL EVENTS
Disaster Research Links - Selected links to information on more than 30 individual natural and manmade disasters, including the San Francisco earthquake, Johnstown flood, Great Chicago Fire, Three Mile Island, Mount St. Helens, and others. Middle school and up. (Jefferson Junior High School, Naperville, IL)
Great Fire of London, 1666 [UPDATED LINK!] - Explores the context, causes, and impacts of the fire that destroyed four-fifths of the city, with related materials on fire-fighting, rebuilding, and numerous people connected with the fire and its aftermath. Includes text, images, timeline, and FAQs. Middle school and up. (Museum of London)
Hurricane Katrina: The Storm - This video documentary explores the 2005 hurricane and its aftermath; includes related interviews, analysis, timeline, eyewitness accounts and more (PBS). See also
Rebuilding the Gulf Coast (PBS; commercial site), and The Gulf Coast's Everyday Heroes (NPR; commercial site) for later post-Katrina reports. For more first-hand accounts and images of Katrina, Rita, and Wilma, see Hurricane Memory Bank (George Mason University et al.). New Orleans, A Perilous Future reviews the history & culture of New Orleans and the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, and examines prospects for the city's future; includes text, videos, photos, and more (National Geographic, commercial site). C-SPAN offers ongoing coverage of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath, with links on the federal government's emergency planning and response programs and related information. All sites for high school and up.
Influenza Epidemic of 1918 - Primary documents and photos related to the deadly worldwide epidemic that attacked one-fifth of the world's population in 1918, killing an estimated 50 million people. High school and up. (National Archives)
Kanto Earthquake of 1923 - Description, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts and photos of the devastating tsunami and earthquake that hit Japan in September of 1923. High school and up. (Brown University)
Krakatoa: Volcano of Destruction - Video, virtual volcano & 'Inside Krakatoa' interactive features, survivor diaries, and the latest scientific analysis about the cataclysmic 1883 eruption of Indonesia's Krakatoa volcano, and the resulting mega-tsunamis and extreme fire & heat that killed more than 36,000 people. High school and up; interactives for middle school and up. (Discovery Channel; commercial site)
Pompeii: Stories from an Eruption - Chronicles the eruption of the Mount Vesuvius volcano in AD 79, with many photos and descriptions of artifacts recovered from Pompeii and nearby towns. High school and up (Field Museum, Chicago).
San Francisco: Faultline - Background information on earthquakes, including causes, prediction, measurement, and damage control, plus a collection of first-hand accounts and photos of the San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906 and the San Francisco Earthquake of 1989 (Exploratorium Museum of Science). See also
1906 San Francisco Earthquake: 100 Years Later (PBS). All sites for high school and up.
Seattle Fire of 1889 - A description of the fire, plus 150 photographs. High school and up. (University of Washington)
Tsunami: Wave that Shook the World - Analysis, Q&A, and interactive
features examine the devastating tsunami (tidal wave) of December 2004. High school and up. (©2005, PBS; commercial site)
