It is important to approach a natural phenomenon from different disciplines because these changes that occur in nature without human intervention positively or negatively affect human life in one or more aspects, which may or may not be connected to each other, but whose origin could be the same.
A natural phenomenon is defined as any change that occurs in nature without human participation. As natural phenomena occur in different situations or for different reasons, it is necessary to study them from the perspective of different disciplines.
Only through a multidisciplinary vision is it possible to consider all the implications of a natural phenomenon, as well as the ways to control it and the actions that must be carried out in case of generating a significant impact on the population or on a particular habitat..
Many times the name natural phenomenon is associated with events that negatively impact human life, and the term is used as a synonym for natural disaster..
For example, the rain on a crop favors the life of the human being; on the contrary, a hurricane is dangerous. Both have the same origin: the formation of a drop of water. However, it is important to note that natural phenomenon and natural disaster are not the same..
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Even when both concepts are used interchangeably in a colloquial way, since in principle they are associated with the same origin, they have different meanings. Put more precisely: one could appear as the consequence of the other.
Broadly speaking, a natural disaster is a large-scale natural phenomenon: for example, an earthquake (rearrangement of tectonic plates) is classified as a natural phenomenon.
In contrast, an earthquake like the one that occurred in Haiti in January 2010 (which claimed more than 316,000 lives and incalculable material losses) is called a natural disaster..
Natural phenomena can be classified into four groups, considering the area of nature that is affected:
If they occur in water bodies, these include waves and tides, as well as natural disasters such as storm surges, tsunamis and tidal waves.
They are those that are produced considering the climate, such as rain, hail or winds, among others. The natural disasters that can generate this type of phenomenon are hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones, tornadoes and droughts, among others..
They are related to the earth's surface, like earthquakes. In this category we can include natural disasters such as avalanches, seismic movements and volcanic eruptions, among others..
They are caused by living beings (not man) of nature itself. For example, such is the case of the "red tide", which are mollusks that appear on the surface of the water and transport certain toxins that affect the ecosystem..
In general, it is important to understand how organisms work to be able to predict their behavior, and thus be able to control everything that may affect human life.
Planet Earth has been considered to be a living being. Therefore, the above argument justifies the need to study natural phenomena.
A natural phenomenon cannot be avoided, but its consequences can be prevented, especially those that due to their magnitude can turn into natural disasters, since they usually occur at the same times of year and under similar environmental conditions..
For example, geological, physical and engineering investigations help to understand how the solid part of the Earth behaves..
This, together with knowledge about materials, society's behavior and the response of constructions such as houses, bridges or buildings to an earthquake, can significantly reduce the risks of a landslide..
According to a study by the United Nations Development Program in 2011, in that year alone, nearly 300,000 people died as a result of 302 natural disasters, and 206 million people were strongly affected by those same events..
This study came to qualify that year as the "most expensive in history", since the cost of recovery exceeded 2000 million dollars.
When a natural phenomenon occurs, whether or not it becomes a natural disaster, many vectors are affected. A change that can be considered small, such as the minimum draft of air caused by the flapping of a butterfly somewhere on the planet, can generate more evident results in other parts of the world.
Below we will describe the most important reasons why it is necessary to study natural phenomena from different disciplines:
A geological study combined with an engineering study can determine the convenience or not of installing buildings - and even cities - in a certain location.
The objective is to prevent the collapse of these buildings in the event of an earthquake or earthquake, a fact that could result in significant human and material losses.
By predicting climatic changes (for example, droughts and periods of heavy rains) it is possible to program the different types of crops according to their resistance or not to these climate changes.
Thanks to this, the success of agricultural activities can be guaranteed. This, combined with economic feasibility studies, can translate into comprehensive growth in the region..
The displacement of marine currents determines the trip that marine fauna can make, allowing man to determine the ideal moment for fishing activity..
Likewise, this information, together with a biological study, may allow the disappearance of species to be prevented due to indiscriminate fishing in breeding seasons..
Earthquakes or violent climate changes such as storms can cause tsunamis and floods, which destroy everything in their path.
The bodies of water that accumulate. When released, they can ruin crops or wipe out populations. The combination of geological, hydrological and meteorological studies can help prevent these disasters, or at least minimize their consequences..
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