Bushfire
Bushfires or Wildfires are large fires in bush and wild lands that cause widespread burning destruction. They are commonly caused by lightning strikes, excessive heat / dry bush matter, being lit accidentally or arson. In 2009 during a summer heat wave in Victoria, Australia, there were very high temperatures with several days over 40c, this created conditions which fuelled the bushfires, known as Black Saturday. The heatwave, strong wind, lots of dry bush and arsonists were responsible for the massive and destructive fires that destroyed homes, farms and bushland and claimed many human lives as well as animal life.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW "BLACK SATURDAY" BUSHFIRE VIDEO
CLICK HERE TO VIEW "BLACK SATURDAY" BUSHFIRE VIDEO
mudslides, landslides, avalanches
Mudslides and Landslides are the rapid movement of a large amounts of mud or soil created by loose soil or sand and water. Heavy rain, melted snow or lots of ground water may trigger a movement of soil or sediments on hills, mountains or slopes. Some slides are thick and slow moving and others begin very quickly and move very fast. If Slides are large enough they can devastate villages and countrysides.
Avalanches, also known as snowslides, are the rapid movement of snow down a slope. Avalanches usually accelerate very quickly and grow in mass and volume as they collect more snow, air and vegetation along the downhill slide. Avalanches are often triggered in one area where the forces on the snow are greater than its strength. Avalanches can also be triggered by other loads such as skiers, snowmobilers, animals or explosives. Seismic activity may also trigger avalanches.
Avalanches, also known as snowslides, are the rapid movement of snow down a slope. Avalanches usually accelerate very quickly and grow in mass and volume as they collect more snow, air and vegetation along the downhill slide. Avalanches are often triggered in one area where the forces on the snow are greater than its strength. Avalanches can also be triggered by other loads such as skiers, snowmobilers, animals or explosives. Seismic activity may also trigger avalanches.