Mega Disasters

The effects of a lethal comet-strike near the coast of San Francisco.

Scientists believe gamma ray bursts were responsible for the mass extinction on Earth 450 million years ago; examining how cities would fare in the face of a global catastrophe.

The eruption of the Krakatoa volcano in 1883 was one of the deadliest natural disasters in recorded history.

Historians imagine how an event similar to the 1868 eruption of the Mauna Loa volcano, which triggered two major earthquakes, would impact Hawaii today.

Historians imagine what might happen in a city like San Diego if a gigantic methane-gas explosion occurred in the Pacific Ocean between California and Hawaii.

A warmer climate may cause oceans to rise and may eventually lead to an increase in hurricanes.

In a hypothetical, future disaster scenario, comet dust seeds Earth with a virulent virus that quickly spreads across the planet and claims millions of lives.

Historians imagine how modern New York City might fare if struck by earthquakes of the magnitude recorded in 1737 and 1884.

Historians imagine what might happen to the U.S. if an extended drought were to leave the country unstable and economically depressed.

Entomologists try to comprehend and control destructive swarms of locusts that have been plaguing mankind throughout history; American pioneers endure a swarm estimated as being 1,800 miles long and 110 miles wide.

Experts predict what might happen when the world's oil supply runs out, ranging from warfare over necessities to the development of new technology.

Researchers speculate about what might happen if Los Angeles sustained a 7.5-magnitude earthquake attributable to the Puente Hills thrust fault.

Today more than 3 million people live in the danger zone surrounding Italy's Mount Vesuvius volcano, which erupted in 79 A.D., buried the Roman town of Pompeii and killed about 5,000 people.