Natural Disasters

A village near the coast of Sumatra lays in ruin after the 2004 earthquake and tsunami that struck South East Asia. (U.S. Navy photo by Photographer's Mate 2nd Class Philip A. McDaniel (RELEASED)

The ocean is one of the forces shaping Earth’s environment — sometimes that power is unleashed in disastrous ways. From tsunamis and hurricanes to floods and undersea earthquakes, many of Earth’s most devastating natural disasters originate from or are strongly influenced by ocean processes. These powerful events can cause widespread damage affecting marine ecosystems, coastal populations, and even the planet’s weather and climate systems.

Earthquakes that occur beneath the seafloor can displace massive amounts of water, triggering tsunamis capable of traveling across entire ocean basins. Fueled by warm ocean waters, tropical storms and hurricanes bring heavy rain, high winds, and storm surges that can devastate coastlines.

Because it plays such a crucial role in the global water cycle, the ocean can significantly impact both floods and droughts. Scientists study these processes to better understand their causes, improve the accuracy of forecasts, and develop methods to prepare for and respond to extreme weather and water-related events.