Iran 1981 Golbaf Earthquake
Although the Golbaf earthquake is widely recognised for its immense physical toll, several lesser-known factors influenced the disaster’s aftermath.
Thumb Fire Michigan USA 1981
In early September 1981, Michigan’s Thumb region—which includes Huron, Tuscola, Sanilac, and Lapeer counties—was experiencing a severe drought.
China, Mongolia 1920 Haiyuan Earthquake
Entire villages were reduced to rubble as tremours shattered centuries-old structures, and fissures carved permanent scars into the land.
1755 Lisbon Earthquake Portugal
A massive earthquake, estimated at a magnitude of 8.5 to 9.0, tore through the city in the early hours of All Saints’ Day, a day when churches…
1974 Hurricane Fifi-Orlene
The storm wiped out essential services, leaving many areas without access to food, clean water, or medical care for weeks.
Black Death
The disease that caused the Black Death, Yersinia pestis, was unlike anything the world had ever seen before.
Vietnam 1964 Tropical Storm Joan
With inadequate disaster response systems and insufficient infrastructure, Vietnam struggled to cope with the extent of the damage.
Cyclone Nargis 2008 Myanmar
When Cyclone Nargis made landfall on 2 May 2008, its 165 km/h (105 mph) winds and a storm surge exceeding 3.6 metres (12 feet) ravaged the…
1707 Hoei Earthquake Japan
The devastation did not end there—just 49 days later, Mount Fuji erupted, spewing volcanic ash across Japan.
1965 Bengal Cyclones
The 1965 Bengal Cyclones claimed more than 10,000 lives and left many others severely injured.