Some Milestones in U.S. Diplomatic History Source:U.S. State Department Benjamin Franklin was the first U.S. diplomat.He was appointed in 1776 to help gain French support for American independence and later became minister to France (1778). With John Jay and John Adams, he negotiated the peace treaty with Great Britain (Treaty of Paris, Sept. 3, 1783). The rank of ambassador was first used by the United States in 1893. Thomas F. Bayardwas appointed ambassador to Great Britain (March 30) and James B. Eustis became ambassador to France (April 18). Prior to this, the highest-ranking U.S. diplomats were ministers. Six U.S. ambassadors have been killed by terrorists:John Gordon Mein, Guatemala (August 28, 1968); Cleo A. Noel, Jr., Sudan (March 1, l973); Rodger P. Davies, Cyprus (Aug. 19, 1974); Francis E. Meloy, Jr., Lebanon (June 16, 1976); Adolph Dubs, Afghanistan (Feb. 14, 1979); Christopher Stevens, Libya (Sep. 11, 2012). A number of distinguished writers have held diplomatic or consular posts: Washington Irving,Minister to Spain, 1842–46. Nathaniel Hawthorne, Consul at Liverpool, 1853–57. Bret Harte, Consul at Crefeld, 1878–1880, and at Glasgow, 1880–1885. James Russell Lowell, Minister to Spain, 1877–80; to Great Britain, 1880–85. James Fenimore Cooper, Consul at Lyon, 1826. William Dean Howells, Consul at Venice, 1861–65. Archibald MacLeish, Assistant Secretary of State for Public Affairs, 1944–45.

Israel's 60th Anniversary May 14, 1948, the Jewish National Council proclaimed the State of Israel: Ariel Sharon, Israeli Prime Minister, 2001–2006 May 14, 2008, marked the 60th anniversary of the creation of the modern State of Israel. As part of the 19th-century Zionistmovement, Jews had begun settling in Palestineas early as 1820. This effort to establish a Jewish homeland received British approval in the Balfour Declarationof 1917. During the 1930s, Jews persecuted by the Hitlerregime poured into Palestine. The postwar acknowledgment of the Holocaust—Hitler's genocide of 6 million Jews—increased international interest in and sympathy for the cause of Zionism. However, Arabs in Palestine and surrounding countries bitterly opposed prewar and postwar proposals to partition Palestine into Arab and Jewish sectors. The British mandate to govern Palestine ended after the war, and, in 1947, the UN voted to partition Palestine. When the British officially withdrew on May 14, 1948, the Jewish National Council proclaimed the State of Israel. Prominent Israeli Politicians Ehud Barak David Ben-Gurion Yizhak Ben-Zvi Golda Meir Moshe Dayan Abba Eban Levi Eshkol Benjamin Netanyahu Ehud Olmert Shimon Peres Yitzhak Rabin Yitzhak Shamir Moshe Sharett Ariel Sharon Chaim Weizmann Ezer Weizman Other Players in Modern Israel's History Mahmoud Abbas Yasir Arafat Menachem Begin Anwar Sadat

U.S. Representatives to the United Nations YearAmbassador 1946 Edward R. Stettinius, Jr. 1946–1947Herschel V. Johnson (acting) 1947–1953Warren R. Austin 1953–1960 Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. 1960–1961James J. Wadsworth 1961–1965 Adlai E. Stevenson 1965–1968 Arthur J. Goldberg 1968 George W. Ball 1968–1969James Russell Wiggins 1969–1971Charles W. Yost 1971–1973 George H. W. Bush 1973–1975John A. Scali 1975–1976 Daniel P. Moynihan 1976–1977William W. Scranton 1977–1979 Andrew Young 1979–1981Donald McHenry 1981–1985 Jeane J. Kirkpatrick 1985–1989Vernon A. Walters 1989–1992Thomas J. Pickering 1992–1993Edward J. Perkins 1993–1996 Madeleine K. Albright 1997–1998 Bill Richardson 1998–1999A. Peter Burleigh (acting) 1999–2001 Richard Holbrooke 2001James B. Cunningham (acting) 2001–2004 John D. Negroponte 2004–2005 John Danforth 2005–2006 John Bolton 2007–2009Zalmay Khalilzad 2009–2013Susan Rice 2013–Samantha Power

Selected International Organizations Learn about various international organizations that operate cooperatively throughout the world. Each organization is composed of several or many countries with a joint goal. African Union(AU)1 *.Members:(53) Algeria, Angola, Benin, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Djibouti, Egypt, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, São Tomé and Príncipe, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Western Sahara, Zambia, Zimbabwe Arab League(AL) *.Members: (21 plus the Palestine Liberation Organization) Algeria, Bahrain, Comoros, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, UAE, Yemen, Palestine Liberation Organization *.Observers: (3) Eritrea, India, Venezuela Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN) *.Members:(10) Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar (Burma), Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam *.Associate Member:(1) Papua New Guinea Commonwealth of Nations *.Members:(53) Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji (suspended), the Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, UK, Vanuatu, Zambia Commonwealth of Independent States(CIS) *.Members:(12) Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, Uzbekistan Group of 8(G-8) *.Members:(9) Canada, EU (as one member), France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK, U.S. Group of 20(G-20) *.Members:(20) Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, EU (as one member), France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, UK, U.S. European Union(EU) *.Members:(28) Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK. North Atlantic Treaty Organization(NATO) *.Members:(28) Albania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, UK, U.S. Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries(OPEC) *.Members:(12) Algeria, Angola, Ecuador, Iran, Iraq, Kuwait, Libya, Nigeria, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Venezuela 1. The Organization of African Unity (OAU), the African Union's predecessor, was formally disbanded on July 8, 2002. The AU was inaugurated July 9, 2002. The 53 member nations remain the same.

Members of the United Nations (193 nations) This table provides information about the member countries of the United Nations, including the date of admission CountryJoined UN1 Afghanistan1946 Albania1955 Algeria1962 Andorra1993 Angola1976 Antigua and Barbuda1981Argentina 1945 ... Bosnia and Herzegovina1992 Botswana1966 Brazil1945 Brunei1984 Bulgaria1955 Burkina Faso1960 Burma (Myanmar)1948 Burundi1962 Cambodia1955 Cameroon1960 Canada1945 Cape Verde1975 Central African Republic1960 Chad1960 Chile1945 China 21945 Colombia1945 Comoros1975 Congo, Rep. of1960 Congo, Dem. Rep. of1960 Costa Rica1945 Côte d'Ivoire1960 Croatia1992 Cuba1945 Cyprus1960 Czech Republic 31993 Denmark1945 Djibouti1977 Dominica1978 Dominican Republic1945 East Timor 42002 Ecuador1945 Egypt1945 El Salvador1945 Equatorial Guinea1968Eritrea 1993 Estonia... Guinea-Bissau1974Guyana 1966 Haiti ... Korea, North1991 Korea, South1991Kuwait 1963 ... Liechtenstein1990Lithuania 1991 ... Marshall Islands1991Mauritania 1961 ... Montenegro4, 62006 Morocco1956 Mozambique1975 Namibia1990 Nauru1999 Nepal1955 Netherlands1945 New Zealand1945Nicaragua 1945 ... Papua New Guinea1975 Paraguay1945 Peru1945 Philippines1945 Poland1945 Portugal1955 Qatar1971 Romania1955 Russia1945 Rwanda1962 St. Kitts and Nevis1983 St. Lucia1979 St. Vincent and the Grenadines1980 Samoa1976 San Marino1992 São Tomé and Príncipe1975 Saudi Arabia1945 Senegal1960 Serbia62000 Seychelles1976 Sierra Leone1961 Singapore1965 Slovakia 31993 Slovenia1992 Solomon Islands1978 Somalia1960 South Africa1945 South Sudan2011 Spain1955 Sri Lanka1955 Sudan1956 Suriname1975 Swaziland1968 Sweden1946 Switzerland 42002 Syria1945 Tajikistan1992 Tanzania1961 Thailand1946 Togo1960 Tonga1999 Trinidad and Tobago1962 Tunisia1956 Turkey1945 Turkmenistan1992 Tuvalu2000 Uganda1962 Ukraine1945 United Arab Emirates1971 United Kingdom1945 United States1945Uruguay 1945 ... 1. The UN officially came into existence on Oct. 24, 1945. 2. On Oct. 25, 1971, the UN voted membership to the People's Republic of China, which replaced the Republic of China (Taiwan) in the world body. 3. Czechoslovakia was an original member of the United Nations from Oct. 24, 1945. As of Dec. 31, 1992, it ceased to exist and the Czech Republic and Slovakia as successor states were admitted Jan. 19, 1993. 4. Newest members. 5. The General Assembly on April 8, 1993, decided to admit the state provisionally being referred to as “The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” pending settlement of the difference that has arisen over its name. 6. The Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was a charter member; after its dissolution, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was admitted Nov. 1, 2000. On Feb. 4, 2003, the name of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was changed to Serbia and Montenegro; in 2006, Serbia and Montenegro became separate countries.

UN Peacekeeping Missions Since 1948 there have been 67 UN peacekeeping operations. Close to 130 nations have contributed personnel at various times, and 115 are currently providing uniformed peacekeepers. As of Aug.31, 2012, there were 15 peacekeeping operations under way with a total of 116,515 personnel. Of the 18,170 civilians serving, 12,573 are local. Total fatalities among the peacekeepers stand at 3,025. Current UN Peacekeeping Operations Region/CountryBegan AFRICA Western Sahara (MINURSO)April 1991 Democratic Republic of the Congo (MONUSCO)June 2010 Côte d'Ivoire (UNOCI)April 2004 Liberia (UNMIL)Sept. 2003 Sudan (UNMIS)March 2005 Darfur (UNAMID)July 2007 AMERICA Haiti (MINUSTAH)June 2004 ASIA and the Pacific India/Pakistan (UNMOGIP)Jan. 1949 Timor-Leste (UNMIT)Aug. 2006 Afghanistan (UNAMA)¹2006 EUROPE Cyprus (UNFICYP)March 1964 Kosovo (UNMIK)June 1999 MIDDLE EAST Middle East (UNTSO))May 1948 Syria (UNDOF)June 1974 Lebanon (UNIFIL)March 1978¹ UNAMA is a special political mission, directed and supported by the Department of Peacekeeping Operations (DPKO). Completed UN Peacekeeping Operations Region/CountryDuration AFRICA Congo (ONUC)July 1960–June 1964 Congo (MONUC)Nov. 1999–July 2010 Angola (UNAVEM I)Dec. 1988–May 1991 Aouzou Strip (UNASOG)May-June 1994 Namibia (UNTAG)April 1989–March 1990 Angola (UNAVEM II)May 1991–Feb. 1995 Somalia (UNOSOM I)April 1992–March 1993 Mozambique (ONUMOZ)Dec. 1992–Dec. 1994 Côte d'Ivoire (MINUCI)May 2003-April 2004 Somalia (UNOSOM II)March 1993–March 1995 Rwanda/Uganda (UNOMUR)June 1993–Sept. 1994 Liberia (UNOMIL)Sept. 1993–Sept. 1997 Rwanda (UNAMIR)Oct. 1993–March 1996 Angola (UNAVEM III)Feb. 1995–June 1997 Angola (MONUA)June 1997–Feb. 1999 Sierra Leone (UNOMSIL)July 1998–Oct. 1999 Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL)Oct. 1999–Dec. 2005 Central African Republic (MINURCA)April 1998–Feb. 2000 Central African Republic and Chad (MINURCAT)Sept. 2007–Dec. 2010 Burundi (ONUB)June 2004–Dec. 2006 Ethiopia/ Eritrea (UNMEE)September 2000–July 2008 AMERICAS Dominican Republic (DOMREP)May 1965–Oct. 1966 Central America Observer Group (ONUCA)Nov. 1989–Jan. 1992 El Salvador (ONUSAL)July 1991–April 1995 Haiti (UNMIH)Sept. 1993–June 1996 Haiti (UNSMIH)July 1996–July 1997 Guatemala (MINUGUA)Jan.–May 1997 Haiti (UNTMIH)Aug.–Nov. 1997 Haiti (MIPONUH)Dec. 1997–March 2000 MIDEAST Middle East—1st UN Emergency Force (UNEF I)Nov. 1956–June 1967 Lebanon (UNOGIL)June–Dec. 1958 Yemen (UNYOM)July 1963–Sept. 1964 Middle East—2nd UN Emergency Force (UNEF II)Oct. 1973–July 1979 Iran/Iraq (UNIIMOG)Aug. 1988–Feb. 1991 Iraq/Kuwait (UNIKOM)April 1991–Oct. 2003 ASIA West New Guinea (UNSF)Oct. 1962–April 1963 India/Pakistan (UNIPOM)Sept. 1965–March 1966 Afghanistan/Pakistan (UNGOMAP)May 1988–March 1990 Cambodia (UNAMIC)Oct. 1991–March 1992 Cambodia (UNTAC)March 1992–Sept. 1993 Tajikistan (UNMOT)Dec. 1994–May 2000 East Timor (UNTAET)Oct. 1999–May 2002 East Timor (UNMISET)May 2002–May 2005 EUROPE Former Yugoslavia (UNPROFOR)Feb. 1992–March 1995 Croatia (UNCRO)March 1995–Jan. 1996 Former Yugoslavia (UNPREDEP) Rep. of Macedonia March 1995–Feb. 1999 Bosnia & Herzegovina (UNMIBH)Dec. 1995–Dec. 2002 Georgia (UNOMIG)Aug. 1993–June 2009 Croatia (UNTAES)Jan. 1996–Jan. 1998 Prevlaka Peninsula (UNMOP)Feb. 1996–Dec. 2002 Croatia (UNPSG)Jan. 1998–Oct. 1998 Source:United Nations Dept. of Public Information.

Agencies of the United Nations Linked to the United Nations through special agreements, the separate, autonomous specialized agencies of the UN family set standards and guidelines, help formulate policies, provide technical assistance, and other forms of practical help in virtually all areas of economic and social endeavor. *.The International Labor Organization (ILO) formulates policies and programs to improve working conditions and employment opportunities, and defines international labor standards as guidelines for governments. *.The Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) works to raise levels of nutrition and standards of living, to improve agricultural productivity and food security, and to better the conditions of rural populations. *.The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) promotes education for all, cultural development, protection of the world's natural and cultural heritage, press freedom, and communication. *.The World Health Organization (WHO) coordinates programs aimed at solving health problems and the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health; it works in areas such as immunization, health education, and the provision of essential drugs. *.The World Bank group provides loans and technical assistance to developing countries to reduce poverty and advance sustainable economic growth. *.The International Monetary Fund (IMF) facilitates international monetary cooperation and financial stability, and provides a permanent forum for consultation, advice, and assistance on financial issues. *.The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) sets international standards necessary for the safety, security, efficiency, and regularity of air transport, and serves as the medium for cooperation in all areas of civil aviation. *.The Universal Postal Union (UPU) establishes international regulations for the organization and improvement of postal services, provides technical assistance, and promotes cooperation in postal matters. *.The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) fosters international cooperation for the improvement and use of telecommunications of all kinds, coordinates usage of radio and TV frequencies, promotes safety measures, and conducts research. *.The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) promotes scientific research on the atmosphere and on climate change, and facilitates the global exchange of meteorological data and information. *.The International Maritime Organization (IMO) works to improve international shipping procedures, encourages the highest standards in marine safety, and seeks to prevent marine pollution from ships. *.The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) promotes international protection of intellectual property and fosters cooperation on copyrights, trademarks, industrial designs, and patents. *.The International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) mobilizes financial resources for better food production and nutrition among the poor in developing countries. *.The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) promotes the industrial advancement of developing countries through technical assistance, advisory services, and training. *.The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) an autonomous intergovernmental organization under the aegis of the UN, works for the safe and peaceful uses of atomic energy. *.The UN and the World Trade Organization (WTO) the major entity overseeing international trade, cooperate in assisting developing countries' exports through the Geneva-based International Trade Center.

International Court of Justice The International Court of Justice is the UN's principal judicial organ. Based in The Hague, Netherlands, the Court pursues two primary objectives: (1) settling legal disputes submitted by states in accordance with international law, and (2) advising on legal questions brought by authorized international organs and agencies. The Court consists of 15 judges elected to 9-year terms by the United Nations General Assembly and the Security Council during independent sittings. No more than one judge of any nationality may serve simultaneously, and judges are in all respects required to act as independent magistrates. The Court's jurisdiction and competency in settling disputes is dependent upon a state's acceptance of its jurisdiction thereof. The Court rules in accordance with international treaties, conventions, international custom, general principles of law, and, when relevant, judicial decision or teachings of the “most highly qualified publicists.”

Principal Organs of the United Nations Security Council The Security Council is the primary instrument for establishing and maintaining international peace. Its main purpose is to prevent war by settling disputes between nations. Under the charter, the council is permitted to dispatch a UN force to stop aggression. All member nations undertake to make available armed forces, assistance, and facilities to maintain international peace and security. The Security Council has 15 members. There are five permanent members: the United States, the Russian Federation, Britain, France, and China; and ten temporary members elected by the General Assembly for two-year terms, from five different regions of the world. Voting on procedural matters requires a nine-vote majority to carry. However, on questions of substance, the vote of each of the five permanent members is required. As of Jan. 2009, the ten elected nonpermanent members were Austria, Japan, Uganda, Mexico, Turkey, Burkina Faso, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Croatia. In Jan. 2010 the terms of Burkina Faso, Libyan Arab Jamahiriya, Vietnam, Costa Rica, and Croatia will expire.

Principal Organs of the United Nations Economic and Social Council This council is composed of 54 members elected by the General Assembly to three-year terms. It works under the authority of the General Assembly and seeks to promote progress in terms of higher standards of living, full employment, and economic and social viability; it also seeks solutions to international socioeconomic, health, and other problems through international and cultural cooperation. Finally, it advocates for the universal respect for and observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms for all.

Principal Organs of the United Nations Trusteeship Council The UN charter originally established the Trusteeship Council as a main organ of the UN and entrusted it with the administration of territories placed under the trusteeship system. The Trusteeship Council suspended operations on Nov. 1, 1994, after the October independence of Palau, the last UN territory. In a May 1994 resolution, the Trusteeship Council amended its rules of procedure, agreeing to meet only as occasion required (by its decision or by request of a majority of its own General Assembly/Security Council members) rather than annually. The Trusteeship Council is comprised of the five permanent members of the Security Council. Now that the aims of the trusteeship system have been fulfilled, however, its functions and powers have been lying dormant.

The Difference between the U.K., Great Britain, England, and the British Isles Key differences of these names often used interchangeably

There are key differences between Great Britain, the United Kingdom, and England—names often used interchangeably. Great Britain Great Britain is an island that consists of three somewhat autonomous regions that include England, Scotland, and Wales. It is located east of Ireland and northwest of Francein the Atlantic Ocean. The United Kingdom The United Kingdom is a country that includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its official name is “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are often mistaken as names of countries, but they are only a part of the United Kingdom. The British Isles The British Isles is another term altogether and encompasses Great Britain, the island of Ireland, and several other smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man is not a part of the United Kingdom or the European Union, even though its Lord is the Monarch of the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nationsis a voluntary association of countries that were formerly British colonies. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations recognize the United Kingdom Monarch as their own king or queen, but remain politically independent. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations Antigua and Barbuda Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Botswana Brunei Canada Cameroon Cyprus Dominica Gambia Ghana Grenada Guyana India Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mozambique Namibi a Nauru New Zealand Nigeria Papua New Guinea Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Swaziland Tanzania Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu Uganda United Kingdom Vanuatu Zambia

United Nations Preamble of the United Nations Charter The Charter of the United Nations was adopted at the San Francisco Conference of 1945. The complete text is available on the UN website, www.un.org/aboutun /charter. We the peoples of the United Nations determined to save succeeding generations from the scourge of war, which twice in our lifetime has brought untold sorrow to mankind, and To reaffirm faith in fundamental human rights, in the dignity and worth of the human person, in the equal rights of men and women and of nations large and small, and To establish conditions under which justice and respect for the obligations arising from treaties and other sources of international law can be maintained, and To promote social progress and better standards of life in larger freedom, and for these ends To practice tolerance and live together in peace with one another as good neighbors, and To unite our strength to maintain international peace and security, and To insure, by the acceptance of principles and the institution of methods, that armed force shall not be used, save in the common interest, and To employ international machinery for the promotion of the economic and social advancement of all peoples, have resolved to combine our efforts to accomplish these aims. Accordingly, our respective Governments, through representatives assembled in the city of San Francisco, who have exhibited their full powers found to be in good and due form, have agreed to the present Charter of the United Nations and do hereby establish an international organization to be known as the United Nations.

Secretariat This is the directorate on UN operations, apart from political decisions. The staff works under the secretary-general, whom it assists and advises. Secretaries-General Ban Ki-moon, South Korea, Jan. 1, 2007 Kofi Annan, Ghana, 1997–2006 Boutros Boutros-Ghali, Egypt, 1992–1996 Javier Pérez de Cuéllar, Peru, 1982–1991 Kurt Waldheim, Austria, 1972–1981 U Thant, Burma (Myanmar), 1961–1971 Dag Hammarskjöld, Sweden, 1953–1961 Trygve Lie, Norway, 1946–1953

General Assembly The General Assembly is the world's forum for discussing matters affecting world peace and security, and for making recommendations concerning them. It has no power to enforce decisions. It is composed of the 51 original member nations and those admitted since, totaling 192. On important questions, including international peace and security, a two-thirds majority of those present and voting is required. Decisions on other questions are made by a simple majority. Emphasis is given to questions relating to international peace and security brought before it by members, the Security Council, or nonmembers. It also maintains a broad program of international cooperation in economic, social, cultural, educational, and health fields, and for assisting in human rights and freedoms.

The Difference between the U.K., Great Britain, England, and the British Isles Key differences of these names often used interchangeably: There are key differences between Great Britain, the United Kingdom, and England—names often used interchangeably. Great Britain Great Britain is an island that consists of three somewhat autonomous regions that include England, Scotland, and Wales. It is located east of Ireland and northwest of Francein the Atlantic Ocean. The United Kingdom The United Kingdom is a country that includes England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Its official name is “United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.” England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland are often mistaken as names of countries, but they are only a part of the United Kingdom. The British Isles The British Isles is another term altogether and encompasses Great Britain, the island of Ireland, and several other smaller islands, such as the Isle of Man. The Isle of Man is not a part of the United Kingdom or the European Union, even though its Lord is the Monarch of the United Kingdom. The Commonwealth of Nations The Commonwealth of Nationsis a voluntary association of countries that were formerly British colonies. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations recognize the United Kingdom Monarch as their own king or queen, but remain politically independent. Members of the Commonwealth of Nations Antigua and Barbuda Australia Bahamas Bangladesh Barbados Belize Botswana Brunei Canada Cameroon Cyprus Dominica Gambia Ghana Grenada Guyana India Jamaica Kenya Kiribati Lesotho Malawi Malaysia Maldives Malta Mauritius Mozambique Namibi a Nauru New Zealand Nigeria Papua New Guinea Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Solomon Islands South Africa Sri Lanka Swaziland Tanzania Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tuvalu Uganda United Kingdom Vanuatu Zambia

Former Place Names of Countries and Cities Current nameOld Name EthiopiaAbyssinia Ankara, TurkeyAngora, Turkey Czech Republic and SlovakiaBohemia, Moravia, Chechoslovakia Sri LankaCeylon Istanbul, TurkeyConstantinople, Turkey Beijing, ChinaPeking, China IranPersia IraqMesopotamia ZimbabweSouthern Rhodesia ZambiaNorthern Rhodesia Ho Chi Minh City, VietnamSaigon, South Vietnam St. Petersburg, RussiaPetrograd and Leningrad, Russia ThailandSiam TanzaniaTanganyika and Zanzibar, German East Africa Democratic Republic of CongoZaire NamibiaSouth-West Africa MoldovaMoldavia Burkina FasoUpper Volta LibyaTripolitania and Cyrenaica AlgeriaNumidia MaliSudanese Republic FranceGaul Central African Republic, ChadFrench Equatorial Africa Rwanda and BurundiGerman East Africa China (north)Cathay China (south)Mangi VietnamCochin-China (south), Annam (central), Tonkin (north) MyanmarBurma Tokyo, JapanEdo Korea (North and South)Choson CambodiaKampuchea TaiwanFormosa

State, Country, and Nation The criteria that define a country, an independent State, and a nation: There is a difference between the terms nation, state, and country, even though the words are often used interchangeably. Country and State are synonymous terms that both apply to self-governing political entities. A nation, however, is a group of people who share the same culture but do not have sovereignty. When the “s” of state is lowercase, it constitutes a part of a whole country, such as the different states of the United States of America. When the “S” of State is uppercase it signifies an independent country. How were countries defined in the past? In the past, governments often used two opposing theories to define a country—the Montevideo Convention treaty or the constitutive theory of statehood. In 1933, at the Montevideo Convention in Uruguay, a treaty was signed on the Rights and Duties of States. The treaty defined a State using four criteria—a permanent population, a defined territory, a government, and a capacity to enter into relations with other States. The convention also declared that a State did not have to be recognized by other States, meaning a country could exist even if other countries did not recognize it. Conversely, the constitutive theory of statehood said that a country existed if it was recognized as sovereign by other countries. Therefore, if other countries recognized a country as independent, it was, even if the country did not have control of its territory or a permanent population. What makes an independent State or a country today? Has internationally recognized land and borders even if border disputes exist; Has permanent residents; Has sovereignty so that no other country has power over its territory; Has organized economic activity that regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money; Has a transportation network for moving goods and people; Has an education system; Has recognition from other independent states How many countries are there in the world? Today, there are 195 independent countries or states recognized in the world. Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbiain February 2008 is the newest country. Territories, such as Hong Kong, Bermuda, Puerto Rico, and Greenlandthat belong to other countries are not considered countries. Disputes often arise when a territory claims to be a country, but is not recognized by any other countries. Taiwan, for example, claims to be an independent country, but Chinastates that Taiwan is a part of China. Therefore, other countries that don’t want to upset China also do not recognize Taiwan as independent. What are a nation and a nation-state? A nation is a group of people who share the same culture, language, institutions, religion, and history—usually a group of people larger than a tribe or community. When a nation of people has an independent State of their own it is often called a nation-state. The Kurdsare a nation without a State, but France, Germany, and Japanare examples of nation-states.

Highest Infant Mortality Rate The countries with the highest infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births) in 2012. 1. Afghanistan121.63 2. Mali108.70 3. Somalia103.72 4. Central African Republic97.17 5. Guinea-Bissau94.40 6. Chad93.61 7. Niger89.70 8. Angola83.53 9. Burkina Faso79.84 10. Malawi79.02 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Infant Mortality Rate The countries with the lowest infant mortality rate (deaths per 1,000 births) in 2012. 1. Monaco1.8 2. Japan2.21 3. Bermuda2.47 4. Singapore2.65 5. Sweden2.74 6.Hong Kong2.9 7.Macau S.A.R.3.17 8. Iceland3.18 9. Italy3.36 10. Spain3.37 NOTE:Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Highest Life Expectancy, 2012 The countries with the highest life expectancy (in years). 1. Monaco89.68 2.Macau84.43 3. Japan83.91 4. Singapore83.75 5. San Marino83.07 6. Andorra82.50 7. Guernsey82.240 8.Hong Kong S.A.R.82.12 9. Australia81.90 10. Italy81.86 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Life Expectancy, 2012 The countries with the lowest life expectancy (in years). 1. Chad48.69 2. Guinea-Bissau49.11 3. South Africa49.41 4. Swaziland49.42 5. Afghanistan49.72 6. Central African Republic50.48 7. Somalia50.80 8. Zimbabwe51.82 9. Lesotho51.86 10. Mozambique52.02 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Literacy Rates The countries with the lowest literacy rate. 1. Burkina Faso23.6% 2. Mali24.0 3. Chad25.7 4. Niger28.7 5. Guinea29.5 6. Benin34.7 7. Sierra Leone34.8 8. Ethiopia35.9 9. Mozambique38.7 10. Senegal39.3 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2010.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest Inflation The countries with the lowest inflation in 2011. 1. Qatar–2.5% 2. Northern Mariana Islands-.80 3. Bahrain-.40 4. Japan-.30 5. Central African Republic.10 6. Kiribati.20 7. Switzerland.20 8. Liechtenstein.30 9. Saint Martin.70 10. United Arab Emirates.90 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists.Source:The World Factbook, 2012.

Lowest Population Density The top ten least densely populated countries, in square kilometers, in 2011. 1. Western Sahara1.85 2. Mongolia1.99 3. Namibia2.59 4. Australia2.80 5. Iceland3.08 6. Mauritania3.11 7. Suriname3.12 8. Botswana3.58 9. Libya3.67 10. Canada3.71 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists. †Population density calculated using population and land area.Source:The World Factbook, 2011.

Highest GDP Per Capita The countries with the highest gross domestic product per capita in U.S. dollars, in 2011. 1. Qatar$98,900 2. Liechtenstein89,400 3. Luxembourg80,600 4. Bermuda69,900 5. Singapore59,700 6. Jersey57,000 7. Falkland Islands55,400 8. Norway51,600 9. Brunei49,500 10. Hong Kong49,400 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Lowest GDP Per Capita The countries with the lowest gross domestic product per capita in U.S. dollars, in 2011. 1. Congo, Democratic Republic of the$300 2. Zimbabwe500 3. Burundi600 4. Liberia600 5. Somalia700 6. Eritrea700 7. Niger800 8. Central African Republic800 9. Malawi900 10. Madagascar900 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists.Sources:1.The World Factbook, 2012.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Highest Inflation The countries with the highest inflation in 2011. 1. Belarus53.3% 2. Ethiopia33 3. Venezuela26.1 4. Argentina22 5. Guinea21.4 6. Iran20.6 7. Eritrea20 8. Yemen19.5 9. Uganda14.4 10. Vietnam13.9 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists.Source:The World Factbook, 2012.

How Many Countries? There are 196 countriesin the world today. Unless you don't count Taiwan… Taiwanis not considered an official country by many, which would bring the count down to195 countries.Although Taiwan operates as an independent country, many countries (including the U.S.) do not officially recognize it as one. Because the People's Republic of Chinaconsiders Taiwan a breakaway province of China, countries who wish to maintain diplomatic relations with China have had to sever their formal relations with Taiwan (more than 100 countries, however, have unofficial relations with Taiwan). How many countries belong to the United Nations? 192 countriesare UN members. The exceptions are Taiwan (in 1971, the UN ousted Taiwan and replaced it with the People's Republic of China) and Vatican City. Kosovo is not yet a member. The newest UN members are Switzerland(2002) and Montenegro(2006). What are the world's newest countries? The world's newest country is South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan on July 9, 2011. Before that, the newest country was Kosovo, which declared independence from Serbia in February 2008. Montenegro became a country in June 2006, after splitting off from Serbia. Since 1990, 29 new nations have come into being. Many of these emerged from the collapse of the Soviet Union (14 countries) and the breakup of the former Yugoslavia (7 countries).Seeour Guide to New Nations. Are there still any countries that have colonies? There are61 coloniesor territories in the world. Eight countries maintain them: Australia (6), Denmark (2), Netherlands (2), France (16), New Zealand (3), Norway (3), the United Kingdom (15), and the United States (14).See Territories, Colonies, and Dependenciesfor a list of the world's colonies and what countries administrate them, p. 663. Are there still territories in the world that are claimed by more than one country? There aresix major disputed territoriesin the world: the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, the Paracel Islands, Spratly Islands, Western Sahara, and Antarctica(about a dozen nations have laid claims to portions of it). In addition, there are innumerable other territorial disputes throughout the world, many of which had resulted in ongoing armed conflicts.

Largest Countries in the World The top ten largest countries, in square miles, in 2012. 1. Russia6,601,668 2. Canada3,855,102 3. United States3,794,100 4. China3,705,407 5. Brazil3,287,612 6. Australia2,988,901 7. India1,269,219 8. Argentina1,073,518 9. Kazakhstan1,052,089 10. Algeria919,595 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented above cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists. *Size refers to the total area of a country, which includes the land area plus bodies of water.Sources:The World Factbook, 2012.

Smallest Countries in the World The top ten smallest countries, in square miles, as of 2012. 1. Vatican City0.17 2. Monaco0.75 3. Nauru8.11 4. Tuvalu10.04 5. San Marino23.63 6. Liechtenstein61.78 7.Saint Kitts and Nevis100.77 8. Maldives115.83 9. Malta122.01 10. Grenada132.82 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results. Only countries for which statistics were available in sources 1 and 2 figure in these lists. *Size refers to the total area of a country, which includes the land area plus bodies of water.Sources:1.The World Factbook.2. U.S. Census Bureau, International Database.

Highest Population Density The top ten most densely populated countries, in square kilometers, in 2011. 1. Monaco15,293 2. Singapore6,843 3. Holy See1,884 4. Maldives1,328 5. Malta1,287 6. Bangladesh1,199 7. Bahrain971 8. Taiwan714 9. Barbados664 10. Mauritius637 NOTE: Country rankings of the type presented below cannot pretend to be definitive; instead they aspire only to provide the reader with an approximation of the high and low ends on a particular scale. Country data vary enormously depending on the sources, and the absence of reliable data on some countries requires their omission, which further skews the results.Only countries for which statistics were available figure in these lists. †Population density calculated using population and land area.Source:The World Factbook, 2011.

Global Political, Economic, and Social Facts From the UN'sHuman Development Report 2007/2008 In 2008, 34 journalists died in the line of duty.That's down from the 65 killed In 2007. In 103 countries the proportion ofwomen in parliamentincreased between 1995 and 2008, butaround the world it still averages just 18.4%. As of 2007, only 28 countries, representing 13% of the world's population, arefully democratic.54 countries, representing 38.3% of the world's population areflawed democracies; 30 arehybrid regimes; and 55, or 38.2% of the world's population, areauthoritarian regimes. Between 1970 and 2005 the under-5mortality rateworldwide fell from 96 to 76 per 1,000 live births. Multiparty electionsare now held in 140 of the world's 195 countries. Coups overthrew 46 elected governments in the second half of the twentieth century. The proportion of theworld's extremely poorfell from 29% in 1990 to 23% in 1999. In 2006,2.6 billion people, or 40% of the world’s population, lived on less than $2 a day,with 1 billion of them surviving on the margins of subsistence with less than $1 a day. In 2006, 1.1 billion people lacked access tosafe water, and 2.6 billion did not have access to any form of improved sanitation services. Just 125 countries, with 62% of the world's population, have a free or partlyfree press. Of the world's estimated 854 millionilliterate adults, 544 million are women. Armed conflict continues to blight the lives of millions: since 1990, 3.6 million people have died as a result ofcivil wars and ethnic violence,more than 16 times the number killed in wars between states. Civilianshave accounted for more than90% of thecasualties—either injured or killed—in post-cold war conflicts. Ninety countries are affected bylandminesand unexploded ordinance, with rough estimates of 15,000 to 20,000 mine victims each year. Greenhouse gasesin the Earth’s atmosphere are accruing at a record rate. In 2007, there were 380 parts per million ofcarbon dioxidein the atmosphere, which exceeds the natural range of the past 650,000 years. The United States has acarbon footprintfive times that of China, and over 15 times that of India. The 23 million residents of the US state of Texas emit morecarbon dioxidethan the entire population of sub-Saharan Africa, which is 720 million people.

A Profile of the World, 2012 Source: The World Factbook, 2012 Geography Age:4.55 billion years old. Total area:510.072 million sq km (196.940 million sq mi).Land area:148.94 million sq km (57.506 million sq mi).Water area:361.132 million sq km (139.434 million sq mi).Coastline: Land boundaries:251,060 km (156,262.58 mi.), not counting shared boundaries twice. Climate:Two large areas of polar climates are separated by two rather narrow temperate zones from a wide equatorial band of tropical to subtropical climates. Terrain:Highest elevation is Mt. Everest at 8,850 m (29,035 ft) and lowest land depression is the Dead Sea at –411 m (–1,349 ft) below sea level. The greatest ocean depth is the Mariana Trench at –10,924 m Land use:Arable land:10.57%.Permanent crops:1.04%.Other:88.39% (2005 est.).Irrigated land:3,245,556 sq km. See also Atlas of the World. People Population:7,021,836,029 (July 2012 est.). Growth rate:1.096% (2012 est.). Birth rate:19.14 births/1,000 population (2012 est.). Death rate:7.99 deaths/1,000 population (2012 est.). Sex ratio (at birth):1.07 males/females (2011 est.). Infant mortality rate:39.48 deaths/1,000 live births (2012 est.). Life expectancy at birth:Total population:67.59 years.Male:65.59 years.Female:69.73 years (2012 est.). Total fertility rate:2.47 children born per woman (2012 est.). Literacy:Age 15 and over who can read and write (2005 est.).Total population:83.7%.Male:88.3%.Female:79.2%NOTE:More than two-thirds of the world's 793 million illiterate adults are found in only eight Government and Economy Political divisions:195 sovereign nations, 72 dependent areas, and 6 disputed territories. Economy:In 2011, world output — and per capita income — began to recover from the 2008–09 recession, the first global downturn since 1946. Gross World Product (GWP) grew 3.7%, a slowdown GWP/PPP:$79.39 trillion (2011 est.). GWP—real growth rate:3.7% (2011 est.). GWP/PPP—per capita:$11,900 (2011 est.). GWP composition:agriculture 6%, industry 30.7%, services 63.4% (2011 est.). Inflation rate (consumer price index):developed countries: 3.1%; developing countries: 6.3% (2011 est.). Note: Developed countries 0% to 4% typically; developing countries 5% to 10% typically; Unemployment rate:9.1% (2011 est.). Exports:$18.15 trillion (2011 est.). Imports:$17.94 trillion (2011 est.). External debt:$69.05 trillion (2011 est.)

History and symbolism of the Irish tricolour Rarely has a flag possessed such lasting relevance as that of the "Tricolour," the national flag of the Republic of Ireland. Its three equal stripes illustrate the Irish political landscape as accurately today as in 1848, the year the flag was first unfurled. orange— standing for Irish Protestants green— signifying Irish Catholics and the republican cause white— representing the hope for peace between them Why Orange? The color orange is associated with Northern Irish Protestants because of William of Orange(William III), the King of England, Scotland, and Ireland who in 1690 defeated the deposed King James II, a Roman Catholic, in the fateful Battle of the Boynenear Dublin. William III's victory secured Protestant dominance over the island, to the enormous benefit of the 17th-century colonizers of northern Ireland — the English (mainly Anglicans) and Scots (mostly Presbyterians). Sometimes called Orangemen, Protestants in Northern Ireland celebrate the anniversary of the battle each July 12th. Green for the Emerald Isle? Green as the color standing for the Irish Catholic nationalists of the south may have something to do with shamrocks and verdant landscapes, but more importantly, green symbolizes revolution. An earlier, unofficial Irish flag —the gold harp on a green background— served from 1798 until the early twentieth century as a symbol of nationalism. As the revolutionary James Connollywrote, just weeks before he participated in the quixotic Easter Rebellion (1916) that led to his execution by firing squad: For centuries the green flag of Ireland was a thing accurst and hated by the English garrison in Ireland, as it is still in their inmost hearts... ...the green flag of Ireland will be solemnly hoisted over Liberty Hall as a symbol of our faith in freedom, and as a token to all the world that the working class of Dublin stands for the cause of Ireland, and the cause of Ireland is the cause of a separate and distinct nationality. —Worker's Republic,April 8, 1916 A Lasting Truce between Orange and Green? Although it was not adopted as the national flag of Ireland until independence from Britain on December 6, 1921, the Tricolour was first unfurled in public on March 7, 1848, by the militant nationalist Thomas Francis Meagher1, (the stripes, however, were arranged differently at that time). Explaining the significance of the Tricolour, Meagher expressed a hope for his country that is unfortunately still unrealized today: The white in the center signifies a lasting truce between the "Orange" and the "Green," and I trust that beneath its folds the hands of the Irish Protestant and the Irish Catholic may be clasped in generous and heroic brotherhood. 1. Irish revolutionary was just one of Meagher's careers: he was also a prisoner in a Tasmanian penal colony, a New York City lawyer, and a Civil War general for the Union Army.

U.S. Flag Timeline A history of Old Glory by Ann-Marie Imbornoni 1776 1777 1794 1814 1818 1912 1916 1949 1960 1776 Jan. 2 The first unofficial national flag, called the Grand Unionor Continental Colours, was raised at the behest of Gen. George Washingtonnear his headquarters outside Boston, Mass. The flag had 13 alternating red and white horizontal stripes and the British Union Flag (a predecessor of the Union Jack) in the upper left corner. May According to a popular story, George Washington and two other representatives from the Continental Congresscalled upon a Philadelphia seamstress, Betsy Ross, to ask her to make a new American flag. This version of events cannot be confirmed by historians, however. Although nobody knows for sure who designed the flag, it may have been Continental Congress member Francis Hopkinson. Top 1777 June 14 The first official flag, also known as the Stars and Stripes or Old Glory, was approved by the Continental Congress: "Resolved, That the Flag of the United States be 13 stripes, alternate red and white; that the Union be 13 stars, white in a blue field, representing a new constellation." The resolution did not specify how the stars should be arranged, and so the layout varied. Top 1794 Jan. 13 Congress authorized the addition of two more stars and two more stripes to mark the admission of Vermontand Kentuckyto the Union in 1791 and 1792, respectively. This 15-star, 15-stripe flag, which came into use after May 1795, was the " star-spangled banner" that inspired lawyer and poet Francis Scott Key. Top 1814 Sept. 14 As daylight broke, Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still flying over Fort McHenry, after it had been bombarded all night by the British. Inspired, he wrote a poem entitled "The Defense of Fort M'Henry," which was later set to music and renamed the " Star-Spangled Banner." Congress made it the official national anthem in 1931. Top 1818 April 4 After five more statesjoined the Union, Congress passed legislation fixing the number of stripes at 13 and requiring that the number of stars equal the number of states. (Each new star was to be added on the 4th of July following the state's entry into the Union.) Top 1912 After New Mexicoand Arizonajoined the Union on Jan. 6 and Feb. 14, respectively, the flag had 48 stars. On June 24, President William Howard Taftissued an executive order that established the proportions of the flag and set the arrangement of the stars in horizontal rows. Top 1916 May 30 President Woodrow Wilsonproclaimed Flag Daya day of national celebration. Top 1949 Aug. 3 President Harry Trumansigned an Act of Congress that requested that the president issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of Flag Dayand for the display of the flag on all federal government buildings. Top 1960 July 4 The last new star, bringing the total to 50, was added after Hawaiibecame a state.

Disaster Survival Guide You never know when disaster will strike. If it does, it’s important to be prepared. Your life—or the lives of others—may depend on knowing how get out of a tough jam. Here are some tricks that experts say will increase a person’s chances of surviving a sticky situation. You are bitten by a snake Even if you once saw it done in a movie, don’t try to suck the venom and spit it out. This will only make you absorb even more venom. Remain calm-most snake bites aren’t fatal. Panic will only make your heart beat faster, speeding the venom through your body. Clean the wound the way you would any other type of wound. Then tie a band between the wound and your heart to keep the venom from spreading too quickly. Don’t make the band as tight as a tourniquet. Seek medical attention right away. If you are in the woods and can’t easily get to a doctor, go to a road and wave down a car. You are in water with sharks Try to keep still, to keep the shark from noticing you. If you think it’s attacking, hit it in the eyes or gills. (Punch the nose only if you can’t reach the eyes or gills.) Use your fists or any hard object. Sharks aren’t interested in going after prey that fights back, so it will probably swim away. To avoid this frightening problem, it’s best not to swim alone far from the ocean’s shore. Don’t swim during the twilight or evening or wear brightly colored swimwear. Don’t swim if you have an open wound. You are attacked by a bear Don’t turn your back on the bear and run away. The bear will think you are prey and chase you. There’s no way you can outrun a bear. Nor can you out-climb one. Bears will chase you up a tree, where there’s no escape. Your best hope is lie down and play dead. The bear might come over and inspect you, maybe even swipe at you with its claws. With any luck, it will lose interest and leave. Your car is sinking First and most importantly, open the car windows. You want water to fill the car so the pressure on the car’s inside and outside will be equal. Now you will be able to open the doors. Get out of the car as quickly as possible. If you can’t open the windows, try to break them. If that doesn’t work, wait while the car slowly fills with water. Once the water has reached your head, the water pressure should be equalized. Hold your breath, open the door and swim out. You are in a lightning storm It’s not what you do—it’s what you shouldn’t do: don’t stay in high places or open ground. Don’t stand under a tree or flagpole or in a picnic area, baseball dugout or bleachers. Don’t go near metal fences and any body of water. It’s better to stand inside a large building than a small one. Once inside, don’t touch anything conductive that leads to the outside, such as window frames, showers and pipes. Don’t pick up a telephone or use a computer or TV. If you’re inside a car, roll up the windows and try not to touch anything that can conduct electricity. Your tongue is stuck to a cold pole This isn’t life-threatening—but it’s painful and embarrassing. The best advice is not to put your tongue on a freezing pole in the first place. But if you do, don’t try to quickly pull your tongue off the pole—you’ll rip it! Instead, move your hands (they should be in gloves!) over the pole near your tongue. This should warm the pole enough to let you slowly pull your tongue off. If warm water is nearby, splash it over your tongue to thaw it. Don’t put cool water or your saliva over the area: they will both freeze, making the situation stickier.

Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters, 1980–2013 (part 3 & last part): Severe Storms and Tornadoes(March 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 10 deaths reported. 2005Hurricane Wilma(October); preliminary estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damage/costs; estimated 35 deaths. Hurricane Rita(September); preliminary estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damage/costs; estimated 35 deaths. Hurricane Katrina(August); preliminary estimate of around $100 billion in damage/costs, making this the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history; circa 1800 deaths - the highest U.S. total since the 1928 major hurricane in southern Florida. Hurricane Dennis(July); preliminary estimate of over $2 billion in damage/costs; at least 12 deaths. Midwest Drought(Spring-Summer); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. 2004Hurricane Jeanne(September); preliminary estimate of over $6.9 billion in damage/costs; at least 28 deaths. Hurricane Ivan(September); NY. estimate of over $14 billion in damage/costs; at least 57 deaths. Hurricane Frances(September); estimate of approximately $9 billion in damage/costs; at least 48 deaths. Hurricane Charley(August); estimate of approximately $15 billion in damage/costs; at least 34 deaths. 2003Southern California Wildfires(Oct.–Nov.); estimate of over $2.5 billion damage/costs; 22 deaths. Hurricane Isabel(Sept.); estimate of approximately $5 billion in damages/costs; at least 55 deaths. Severe Storms and Tornadoes(May); over $3.4 billion in damages/costs; 51 deaths. Storms and Hail(April.); over $ 1.6 billion in damages/costs: 3 deaths. 2002Widespread Drought(Spring–Fall); estimate of over $ 10.0 billion in damages; no deaths. Western Fire Season(Spring–Fall); $ 2.0 billion in damages/costs; 21 deaths. 2001Tropical Storm Allison(June); preliminary estimate of approximately $5.0 (5.1) billion; 43 deaths. Midwest and Ohio Tornadoes(June); $1.9 billion in damage/costs, at least 3 deaths. 2000Drought/Heat Wave(Spring–Summer); preliminary estimate more than $4.0 (4.2) billion; estimated 140 deaths nationwide. Western Fire Season(Spring–Summer); more than $2.0 (2.1) billion; no deaths reported. 1999Hurricane Floyd(Sept.); at least $6.0 (6.5) billion; 77 deaths. Eastern Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); more than $1.0 (1.1) billion; estimated 502 deaths. Oklahoma-Kansas Tornadoes(May); at least $1.6 (1.7) billion; 55 deaths. Arkansas-Tennessee Tornadoes(Jan.); approximately $1.3 (1.4) billion; 17 deaths. 1998Texas Flooding(Oct.–Nov.); approximately $1.0 (1.1) billion; 31 deaths. Hurricane Georges(Sept.); estimated $5.9 (6.5) billion; 16 deaths. Hurricane Bonnie(Aug.); approximately $1.0 (1.1) billion; 3 deaths. Southern Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); $6.0-$9.0 billion; at least 200 deaths. Minnesota Severe Storms/Hail(May); more than $1.5 (1.7) billion; 1 death. Southeast Tornadoes and Flooding(Winter–Spring); more than $1.0 (1.1) billion; at least 132 deaths. Northeast Ice Storm(Jan.); more than $1.4 (1.5) billion; 16 deaths. 1997Northern Plains Flooding(April–May); approximately $3.7 (4.1) billion; 11 deaths. Mississippi and Ohio Valleys Flooding and Tornadoes(March); estimated $1.0 (1.1) billion; 67 deaths. West Coast Flooding(Dec. 1996–Jan. 1997); approximately $3.0 (3.4) billion; 36 deaths. 1996Hurricane Fran(Sept.); more than $5.0 (5.8) billion; 37 deaths. Southern Plains Severe Drought(Fall 1995–Summer 1996); approximately $5.0 (6.0) billion; no deaths. Pacific Northwest Severe Flooding(Feb.); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 9 deaths. Blizzard of '96 and Flooding(Jan.); approximately $3.0 (3.5) billion; 187 deaths. 1995Hurricane Opal(Oct.); more than $3.0 (3.6) billion; 27 deaths. Hurricane Marilyn(Sept.); estimated $2.1 (2.5) billion; 13 deaths. Southern Severe Weather and Flooding(May); 5.0-$6.0 (6.5-7.1) billion; 32 deaths. California Flooding(Jan.–March); more than $3.0 (3.6) billion; 27 deaths. 1994Western Fire Season(Summer–Fall); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; death toll undetermined. Texas Flooding(Oct.); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 19 deaths. Tropical Storm Alberto(July); approximately $1.0 (1.2) billion; 32 deaths. Southeast Ice Storm(Feb.); approximately $3.0 (3.7) billion; 9 deaths. 1993California Wildfires(Fall); approximately $1.0 (1.3) billion; 4 deaths. Midwest Flooding(Summer); approximately $21.0 (26.7) billion; 48 deaths. Drought/Heat Wave(Summer); about $1.0 (1.3) billion; at least 16 deaths. “Storm of the Century” Blizzard(March); $3.0-$6.0 (3.8-7.6) billion; approximately 270 deaths. 1992Nor'easter of 1992(Dec.); $1.0-$2.0 (1.3-2.6) billion; 19 deaths. Hurricane Iniki(Sept.); about $1.8 (2.4) billion; 7 deaths. Hurricane Andrew(Aug.); approximately $27.0 (35.6) billion; 61 deaths. 1991Oakland Firestorm(Oct.): approximately $2.5 (3.5) billion; 25 deaths. Hurricane Bob(Aug.); $1.5 (2.1) billion; 18 deaths.

Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters, 1980–2013 (part 2): Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather(June 18-22, 2011); over $1.3 billion in total damages/costs; an estimated 81 tornadoes over central and southern states; wind and hail damage in the Southeast; 3 deaths. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(May 22–27, 2011); estimate of over $9.1 billion in total damage/costs; an estimated 180 tornadoes over central and southern states; 177 reported deaths. Southeast/Ohio Valley/Midwest Tornadoes(April 25-30, 2011); over $10.2 billion in total damages/costs; an estimated 343 tornadoes over central and southern states; 321 deaths (240 in Alabama). Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 14–16, 2011); Over $2.1 billion in total losses/costs; an estimated 177 tornadoes in several central and southern states; 38 deaths (22 in North Carolina). Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 8–11, 2011); over $1.5 billion in losses/costs; an estimated 59 tornadoes in central and southern states; no deaths reported. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 4–5, 2011); over $2.8 billion in total losses with damage in several central and southern states; an estimated 46 tornadoes reported; 9 deaths. Groundhog Day Blizzard(Jan. 29–Feb. 3, 2011); over $1.8 billion in damages/costs from a large winter storm affecting central, eastern and northeastern states; Chicago was at a standstill; 36 deaths. 2010Midwest Tornadoes and Severe Weather(May 2010 ); total losses exceeded $3.0 billion in damages/costs; 3 deaths. Mid-South Flooding and Severe Weather(April-May 2010 ); total losses exceeded $2.3 billion in damages/costs; 32 deaths. Northeast Flooding(March 2010 ); over $1.5 billion in damages/costs; 11 deaths. 2009Southwest/Great Plains Drought(entire year 2009); estimate of over $5.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Western Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2009); over $1.0 billion in damages/costs (including annual fire suppression costs); 10 deaths. Midwest, South and Eastern Severe Weather(June 2009); Over $1.1 billion in damages/costs; no deaths reported. South/Southeast Tornadoes and Severe Weather(April 2009); over $1.2 billion in damages/costs; 6 deaths. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(March 2009); Over $1.0 billion in damages/costs with majority of damage in TX; no deaths reported. Southeast/Ohio Valley Severe Weather(February 2009); over $1.4 billion in damages/costs with majority of damage in OK and OH; 10 deaths. 2008Widespread Drought(entire year 2008); estimate of over $2.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Hurricane Ike(September 2008); estimate of over $27.0 billion in damage/costs; 112 deaths reported. Hurricane Gustav(September 2008); preliminary estimate of at least $5.0 billion in damage/costs; 43 deaths reported. Hurricane Dolly(July 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.2 billion in damage/costs; three deaths reported. US Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2008); preliminary estimate of over $2.0 billion in damage/costs; 16 deaths reported. Midwest Flood(June 2008); preliminary estimate of over $15 billion in damage/costs; 24 deaths reported. Midwest/Mid-Atlantic Severe Weather/Tornadoes(June 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.1 billion in damage/costs; 18 deaths reported. Midwest/Ohio Valley Severe Weather/Tornadoes(May 2008); preliminary estimate of over $2.4 billion in damage/costs; 13 deaths reported. Southeast/Midwest Tornadoes(February 2008); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 57 deaths reported. 2007Great Plains and Eastern Drought(entire year 2007); preliminary estimate of over $5.0 billion in damage/costs; no reported deaths. Western Wildfires(Summer-Fall 2007); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; at least 12 deaths. East/South Severe Weather(April 2007); preliminary estimate of over $1.5 billion in damage/costs; nine deaths reported. 2006Wildfires(Entire year 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; 28 deaths, including 20 firefighters. Widespread Drought(Spring-Summer 2006); preliminary estimate of over $6.0 billion in damage/costs; some heat-related deaths, but not beyond typical annual averages. Northeast Flooding(June 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.0 billion in damage/costs; at least 20 deaths reported. Midwest/Southeast Tornadoes(April 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.5 billion in damage/costs; 10 deaths reported. Midwest/Ohio Valley Tornadoes(April 2006); preliminary estimate of over $1.1 billion in damage/costs; 27 deaths reported.

Billion Dollar U.S. Weather Disasters, 1980–2013 (part 1): Source:National Climatic Data Center The U.S. has sustained 123 weather-related disasters during the 1980-2012 period in which overall damages and costs reached or exceeded $1 billion at the time of the event. Twelve occurred during 2011 alone—the most for any year on record, with total costs being approximately $52 billion. Two damage figures are given for events prior to 2002: the first represents actual dollar costs and is not adjusted for inflation. The second (in parentheses) is the dollar cost normalized to 2002 dollars using a GNP inflation/wealth index. The total normalized losses for the 99 events are over $725 billion. Sources include Storm Data (NCDC publication), the National Weather Service, the Federal Emergency Management Agency, other U.S. government agencies, individual state emergency management agencies, state and regional climate centers, and insurance industry estimates. 2013Category 4 Tornado in Oklahoma(May 20, 2013); an enormous category 4 tornado hit Oklahoma City, Moore, and Newcastle. Moore was the hardest hit. The city's Plaza Towers Elementary School was flattened. More than 90 people were killed in the storm, including 20 children. The tornado, stretching about a mile wide, was on the ground for 40 minutes. 2012National Drought(2012); a drought began in the spring of 2012 due to the lack of snow the U.S. received during the previous winter. The drought has caused 123 deaths and over $40 billion in damages / cost. Southeast/Ohio Valley Tornadoes(March 2–3 2012); a total of 75 tornadoes caused 4 billion in damages/costs and 42 deaths. Texas Tornadoes(April 2–3 2012); a total of 22 tornadoes, including several in the Dallas area, caused 1.3 billion in damages/costs. The tornadoes caused no deaths. Midwest Tornadoes(April 13–14 2012); 98 confirmed tornadoes hit Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. The damage cost $283 million in Wichita alone. The disaster caused nearly $2 billion in total damages/costs. Six people were killed. Midwest/Ohio Valley Storms(April 28–May 1 2012); a total of 38 tornadoes and large hail caused major damage, especially in St. Louis. At least $4 billion in damages/costs was estimated. One person was killed. Southern Plains/Midwest/Northeast Severe Weather(May 25–30 2012); a total of 27 tornadoes and severe storms caused major damage in several states and cost $2.5 billion. One person was killed. Rockies/Southwest Severe Weather(June 6–12 2012); 25 tornadoes and large hail hit Colorado, New Mexico, and Texas. The hail damage cost more than $1 billion in Colorado alone. The total cost of the storms was estimated at $3 billion. East/Northeast/Plains Severe Storms (Derecho)(June 29–July 2 2012); a large storm system, also called a derecho, left damage from Ohio and Indiana through the mid-Atlantic. Damage by this disaster was estimated at $4 billion. The storm system also caused 28 deaths. Hurricane Isaac(August 2012); the hurricane hit the Gulf Coast, bringing flooding, strong winds and tornadoes. Isaac caused an estimated 2.3 billion in damages and 42 deaths. Western Wildfires(Summer/Fall 2012); various wildfires burned up 9.1 million acres. The most intense wildfires were in the western part of the United States. The estimated cost of damage was between $1 and $2 billion. Hurricane Sandy(October 2012); Sandy struck the east coast, killing 132 people. Sandy caused an estimated $82 billion dollars in damages to New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut. 2011Texas, New Mexico, Arizona Wildfires(Spring-Fall, 2011); over $1.0 billion in total damages/costs; drought and extreme heat caused several historic wildfires across Texas, New Mexico and Arizona; over 3 million acres burned in Texas; 5 deaths reported. Hurricane Irene(August 20–29, 2011); estimate of over $7.3 billion in total damage/costs; minimal category 1 hurricane hit coastal North Carolina and moved north along Mid-Atlantic Coast causing flooding in the Northeast; numerous tornadoes were also reported; 45 reported deaths. Upper Midwest Flooding(Summer 2011); over $2.0 billion in total damages/costs; melting snow combined with above normal precipitation caused the Missouri and Souris Rivers to flood across the Upper Midwest; 4,000 homes were flooded and 11,000 people evacuated Minot, North Dakota; 5 deaths. Mississippi River Flooding(Spring–Summer 2011); $3.0–4.0 billion in total losses/costs; nearly 300 percent more than normal precipitation amounts in the Ohio Valley combined with melting snow caused historical flooding along the Mississippi River and its tributaries; 7 deaths reported. Southern Plains/Southwest Drought and Heatwave(Spring–Fall, 2011); nearly $10.0 billion in losses to crops, livestock and timber; Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, southern Kansas, and western Louisiana are all impacted; no deaths reported.

Tsunami Factfile The Indian Ocean tsunami that occured in December 2004 was the deadliest in history: Indian Ocean Tsunami: The Deadliest in History On Dec. 26, 2004, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake—the largest earthquakein 40 years—ruptured in the Indian Ocean, off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The earthquake triggered the deadliest tsunamiin world history, so powerful that the waves caused loss of life on the coast of Africa and were even detected on the East Coast of the United States. More than 225,000 people have died from the disaster, a half a million have been injured, thousands still remain missing, and millions were left homeless. Eleven countries bordering the Indian Ocean—all relatively poor and vulnerable—suffered devastation. Hardest hit were Indonesia(particularly the province of Aceh), Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the Maldives. The catastrophic damage included the destruction of entire cities, the contamination of farmland and forests, and the depletion of fishing stocks. Some areas faced starvation and increased suseptibility to disease. Even countries with relatively low death tolls suffered enormous damage—the Maldives, for example, had less than 100 deaths, yet the tsunami left 14 of the archipelago's islands uninhabitable, requiring its inhabitants to be permanently evacuated, and another 79 islands without safe drinking water. Seestatistics on Deadliest Tsunamisand Deadliest Earthquakes. The Science of Tsunami A tsunami(pronounced soo-NAHM-ee) is a series of huge waves that occur as the result of a violent underwater disturbance, such as an earthquakeor volcanic eruption. The waves travel in all directions from the epicenter of the disturbance. The waves may travel in the open sea as fast as 450 miles per hour. As they travel in the open ocean, tsunami waves are generally not particularly large—hence the difficulty in detecting the approach of a tsunami. But as these powerful waves approach shallow waters along the coast, their velocity is slowed and they consequently grow to a great height before smashing into the shore. They can grow as high as 100 feet; the Indian Ocean tsunami generated waves reaching 30 feet. Tsunamiis the Japanese word for "harbor wave." They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as tidal waves, but tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides. Tsunamis have been relatively rare in the Indian Ocean, and are most common in the Pacific Ocean. For more details on Tsunami, see our encyclopedia articleand Tsunami FAQs. Countries Damaged by the Indian Ocean Tsunami Deadliest Tsunamis in History Fatalities1YearMagnitudePrincipal areas 350,00020049.0Indian Ocean 100,000+1410 b.c.Crete-Santorini, Ancient Greece 100,00017558.5Portugal, Morocco, Ireland, and the United Kingdom 100,0001908Messina, Italy 40,00017827.0South China Sea, Taiwan 36,5001883Krakatau, Indonesia 30,00017078.4Tokaido-Nankaido, Japan 26,36018967.6Sanriku, Japan 25,67418688.5Northern Chile 15,03017926.4Kyushu Island, Japan Source:National Geophysical Data Center, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Deadliest Earthquakes in History FatalitiesYearMagnitudePrincipal areas 830,00015568.0Shansi, China 255,000+19768.0Tangshan, China 230,000+20049.1off west coast of northern Sumatra 230,0001138n.a.Aleppo, Syria 222,57020107.0Haiti 200,00019208.6Gansu, China 200,00019277.9near Xining, China 200,000856n.a.Damghan, Iran 150,000893n.a.Ardabil, Iran 143,00019237.9Kwanto, Japan Source:National Earthquake Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey. Data compiled from several sources.

The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake: At 5:12 a.m. on April 18, 1906, the people of San Francisco were awakened by an earthquakethat would devastate the city. The main temblor, having a 7.7–7.9 magnitude, lasted about one minute and was the result of the rupturing of the northernmost 296 miles of the 800-mile San Andreas fault. But when calculating destruction, the earthquake took second place to the great fire that followed. The fire, lasting four days, most likely started with broken gas lines (and, in some cases, was helped along by people hoping to collect insurance for their property—they were covered for fire, but not earthquake, damage). With water mains broken, fighting the fires was almost impossible, and about 500 city blocks were destroyed. The damages were estimated at about $400,000,000 in 1906 dollars, which would translate to about $8.2 billion today. Uncertain Death Toll In 1906 San Franciscowas the ninth largest U.S. city with a population of 400,000, and over 225,000 were left homeless by the disaster. The death toll is uncertain. City officials estimated the casualties at 700 but more modern calculations say about 3,000 lost their lives. The lowballing city figures may have been a public relations ploy to downplay the disaster with an eye on rebuilding the city. On April 20, the U.S.S.Chicagorescued 20,000 victims, one of the largest sea evacuations in history, rivaling Dunkirkin World War II. Martial law was not declared, but some 500 looters were shot by police and the military. Shifting Seismologic Knowledge The epicenter of this earthquake has moved around in the past 100 years, as advances in seismology have been made. It was first thought to have been in Marin County, then northwest of the Golden Gate, and most recently, in the Pacific Ocean about two miles west of San Francisco. The plate-tectonics theorythat would shed some light on the quake wasn't formulated until the 1920s and not embraced until some three decades later. The San Andreas faultis on the boundary between the Pacific plate and the North American plate. During the earthquake, the ground west of the fault tended to move northward and, in the most extreme instance, a 21-foot shift was measured. Earthquake ruptures are fast movers—seismologists estimated the average speed of this rupture to have been 8,300 mi/hr going north, and 6,300 mi/hr traveling south. The quake was felt from southern Oregon to south of Los Angeles and inland as far as central Nevada. Magnitude Charles Richterdeveloped his scale in 1935 to measure the amount of seismic energy released, the magnitude, of an earthquake. Seismologists found the Richter scale fine for lower magnitude quakes, but inaccurate for higher magnitude ones. The 1906 earthquake was assigned a Richter rating of 8.3, but on the newer moment magnitude scaleit has been demoted to one measuring 7.8 or 7.9. "The Big One" On Oct. 17, 1989, at 5:04 p.m., at the height of the rush hour, Bay Area residents thought the "big one" had struck. The 7.1 Richter scale (6.9 moment magnitude) Loma Prieta earthquake, with its epicenter about 60 miles from San Francisco, was the largest one to hit the region since 1906. Sixty to 70 deaths were reported, freeways and bridges were damaged, and the World Series between the Oakland and San Francisco teams was postponed for 10 days. Property damage was estimated at $6 billion dollars, making this the costliest natural disaster to that date. But seismologists said this was not the major earthquake feared by all. That one is still in the future. In 1906 there were only about 650,000 people living in the area, but today more than 7 million people make their homes in the San Francisco Bay region. Scientists in 2003 estimated that there is a 62% probability of a 6.7 magnitude or larger earthquake hitting the Bay Area in the next 30 years and Californians live in the shadow of "the big one."

Hurricane Katrina: Hurricane Katrina slammed into the U.S. Gulf Coast on Aug. 29, 2005, destroying beachfront towns in Mississippiand Louisiana, displacing a million people, and killing almost 1,800. When levees in New Orleanswere breached, 80% of the city was submerged by the flooding. About 20% of its 500,000 citizens were trapped in the city without power, food, or drinking water. Rescue efforts were so delayed and haphazard that many were stranded for days on rooftops and in attics before help arrived. The city became a toxic pool of sewage, chemicals, and corpses, and in the ensuing chaos, mayhem and looting became rampant—about 15% of the city's police force had simply walked off the job. The 20,000 people who made their way to the Superdome, the city's emergency shelter, found themselves crammed into sweltering and fetid conditions. At a second shelter, the convention center, evacuees were terrorized by roaming gangs and random gunfire. Relief workers, medical help, security forces, and essential supplies remained profoundly inadequate during the first critical days of the disaster. Poor and Elderly Disproportionately Affected As most of the city's citizens fled the city, those without cars or the financial means to relocate were left behind. The 100,000 who remained in the drowning city were largely poor and predominantly black, exposing the racial dimension of New Orleans’s persistent poverty: 28% of New Orleanians are poor (twice the national average) and 84% of those are black. The elderly poor were also disproportionately affected by the disaster: 70% of the New Orleans area's 53 nursing homes were not evacuated before the hurricane struck. A Natural Disaster Waiting to Happen Hurricane Katrina has been called the most anticipated disaster in modern American history. For years, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) had ranked New Orleans and San Francisco as the two cities most vulnerable to catastrophic natural disaster, and a day before Katrina's landfall, the National Weather Service warned that the hurricane would cause "human suffering incredible by modern standards." All Levels of Government Falter Americans were shaken not simply by the magnitude of the disaster but by how ill-prepared all levels of government were in its aftermath. Although New Orleans had performed a hurricane drill the previous year, the city and state governments had no transportation or crime prevention plans in place, and such negligence had devastating consequences. Homeland Security and FEMA The Department of Homeland Security, the new cabinet agency created for the very purpose of increasing domestic security, had unveiled its National Response Plan in Jan. 2005, which promised "vastly improved coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal organizations . . . by increasing the speed, effectiveness, and efficiency of incident management." Yet Michael Chertoff, the Department's Secretary, waited until two days after the hurricane hit before putting the plan into effect by declaring it an "incident of national significance." Critics claimed Homeland Security's efforts had been focused on the prevention of terrorism at the expense of preparing for natural catastrophes. Seeming not to grasp the scale of the disaster, Chertoff and Michael Brown, the director of FEMA, expressed surprise at the dangerous conditions in the convention center in New Orleans, days after its horrific images had saturated the airwaves, making them appear less informed than the average TV viewer. Brown was so inept in managing the crisis that he was quietly removed after two weeks. All three top jobs at FEMA had been filled by political appointees with no emergency management experience, and half of the agency's senior career professionals had been cut since 2000. The President's Response In sharp contrast to the leadership he displayed after the Sept. 11 terrorist attack, President Bushinitially seemed off-key and out of touch, declaring that he didn't "think anybody anticipated the breach of the levees" and waiting four days before his first brief visit to the region. Trust in the president's ability to lead the country during a crisis had been a central factor in his reelection, but two-thirds of Americans considered his response to Katrina inadequate. To repair his image, Bush acknowledged the government's faltering response and pledged "one of the largest reconstruction efforts the world has ever seen." A Year Later A year after Katrina, the population of New Orleans was less than half of what it was before the storm hit. Nearly half the city's hospitals remained shut and half its doctors had moved out of the area. Electricity was restored to just 60% of the city.

Hurricanes by the Numbers (Atlantic hurricane statistics) Millions live in the paths of the biggest storms Source: U.S. Census Bureau 10 The number of hurricanes during the 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, with only two of them as major hurricanes (Category 3-strength or higher). However, one of the major hurricanes was Hurricane Sandy. It struck southeastern Cuba at Category 3 strength, then made landfall in New Jersey as a post-tropical cyclone. It was the second costliest cyclone on record (not adjusted for inflation) at $50 billion, ranking only behind Hurricane Katrina from 2005. The only other hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. in 2012 was Hurricane Isaac, which hit Louisiana. 82.2 million Population as of July 1, 2012, of coastal states stretching from North Carolina to Texas — the areas most threatened by Atlantic hurricanes. An estimated 26.2 percent of the nation's population live in these states. 34.1 million Population in 1960 of the states stretching from North Carolina to Texas. Approximately 19 percent of the nation's population lived in these areas at that time. 240.9% Percentage growth of the population of the states stretching from North Carolina to Texas between 1960 and 2012. 591,821 Collective land area in square miles of the states stretching from North Carolina to Texas. 10 Year Anniversary of Hurricane Isabel 2003 The costliest and deadliest hurricane of 2003, Hurricane Isabel made landfall in the U.S. on the Outer Banks of North Carolina on Sept. 18, destroying many homes on the barrier island. Isabel later moved north through Virginia and Washington, D.C., and ended up causing about $3 billion in damage to the mid-Atlantic region. Category 2 The strength of Hurricane Isabel at landfall based on the Saffir-Simpson scale, with maximum sustained winds measured at 105 mph. Isabel reached a peak as a Category 5 storm on Sept. 11 south of Bermuda, but gradually weakened as it approached landfall. 3 Counties that encompass the land area of the Outer Banks of North Carolina. The area includes parts of Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties. 64,509 Population of Currituck County, Dare County and Hyde County in North Carolina in 2012. 26,581 The number of occupied housing units in Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties combined. $236,500; 321,200; and 93,600 Median home value of owner-occupied units in Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties, respectively. 32.0, 19.5 and 25.1 minutes Mean commuting time to work for residents in Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties, respectively. 7.8%, 11.1% and 25.1% The percent of people who live below poverty level in in Currituck, Dare and Hyde counties, respectively. History of Hurricane Naming Conventions Andrea The name of the first Atlantic storm of 2013. Hurricane names rotate in a six-year cycle with the 2013 list being a repeat of the 2007 names. 76 The number of hurricane names officially retired by the World Meteorological Organization. Although hurricane names are recycled every six years, for reasons of sensitivity, hurricane names that were so deadly and costly that re-use of the name would be considered inappropriate are retired. 1950 The year the Weather Bureau officially began naming hurricanes. 2005 In one of the busiest Atlantic hurricane seasons on record, 28 named storms formed, forcing use of the alternate Greek alphabet scheme for the first time. When the National Hurricane Center's list of 21 approved names runs out for the year, hurricanes are named after Greek letters. Of the 28 named storms in 2005, 15 were hurricanes, with four storms reaching Category 5 status (Dennis, Katrina, Rita and Wilma) and three more being considered major. Preparing for Emergencies Using Census Bureau Statistics The growth in population of coastal areas illustrates the importance of emergency planning and preparedness for areas that are more susceptible to inclement weather conditions. The U.S. Census Bureau's official decennial census and population estimates, along with annually updated socio-economic data from the American Community Survey, provide a detailed look at the nation's growing coastal population. Emergency planners and community leaders can better assess the needs of coastal populations using Census Bureau statistics.

Hurricane Season The deadliest, strongest, and costliest Atlantic storms Quizzes and Crosswords Extreme Weather Disasters Quiz Great Disasters Quiz Weather Disasters Crossword Hurricane Season 2013—Predictions According to Tropical Storm Risk (TSR), an above-average hurricane season is predicted for 2013. TSR predicts the Atlantic basin will see 15.4 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), including 7.7 hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), and 3.4 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher) in 2013. Hurricane Season 2012—Review The 2012 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ended November 30, tied 2011, 2010, 1995, and 1887 for the third most active season in recorded history. In 2012, there were 10 hurricanes, 2 major hurricanes, 19 tropical storms, and 19 tropical cyclones. Total damage was estimated at $76.8 billion and 322 people were killed. Most of the damage was done by the two major hurricanes, Hurricane Sandy and Hurricane Isaac. Hurricane Season 2011—Review The 2011 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ended November 30, tied 2010, 1995, and 1887 for the third highest number of tropical storms with 20, including seven hurricanes, four of them major hurricanes. Hurricanes: Irene, Katia, Maria, Nate, Ophelia, Philippe, Rina Tropical storms: Arlene, Bret, Cindy, Don, Emily, Franklin, Gert, Harvey, Jose, Lee, Sean, tropical depression Ten, unnamed tropical storm. Hurricane Season 2010—Review The 2010 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ended November 30, produced the third largest number of named storms, with 20, and the second largest number of hurricanes, with 12. This places 2010 as the tenth most active season since 1950. Hurricanes: Alex, Danielle, Earl, Igor, Julia, Karl, Lisa, Otto, Paula, Richard, Shary, Tomas. Tropical storms: Bonnie, Colin, Fiona, Gaston, Hermine, Matthew, Nicole. Hurricane Season 2009—Review The 2009 Atlantic hurricane season, which began June 1 and ended November 30, produced fewer, shorter-lived, and generally weaker named storms than in years past. There were nine named storms, three of which became hurricanes and two became major hurricanes. An average season sees 11 named storms, with six becoming hurricanes, including two major hurricanes. The named storms were: Ana, Bill, Claudette, Danny, Erika, Fred, Grace, Henri, and Ida.

Tornadoes Facts and figures about twisters Tornado Index Average number of tornadoes per year (1950–2010):1,253 Top 5 states with highest incidence of tornadoes:Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Florida, Nebraska States with lowest incidence of tornadoes):Alaska, Rhode Island, Hawaii, Vermont, Oregon Most tornadoes in one day:316 (April 2011) Most tornadoes in one month:543 (May 2003) Most tornado deaths in one year:550 (2011) Fewest tornado deaths in one year:15 (1986) Source: Storm Prediction Centerat the National Weather Service Although tornadoescan happen at any time of year, they are especially common during the spring and early summer. May and June are the peak months in terms of numbers of tornadoes, but April appears to be the deadliest month. Two of the all-time worst tornado disasters occurred in April. On April 3-4, 1974, 148 twisters struck 13 states, causing more than 300 deaths, and on April 27, 2011, 137 reported tornadoes swept through the south, killing nearly 300 people in six states. Most of the fatalities occurred in Alabama. May holds the record for experiencing the most tornadoes. In May 2003, there were 543 recorded tornadoes. On average, 60 people die each year as a result of tornadoes, mostly from flying and falling debris. What Is a Tornado? A tornado is a dark funnel-shaped cloud made up of violently rotating winds that can reach speeds of up to 300 m.p.h. The diameter of a tornado can vary between a few feet and a mile, and its track can extend from less than a mile to several hundred miles. Tornadoes generally travel in a northeast direction (depending on the prevailing winds) at speeds ranging from 20-60 m.p.h. What Causes a Tornado? Tornadoes are most often spawned by giant thunderstorms known as "supercells." These powerful, highly organized storms form when warm, moist air along the ground rushes upward, meeting cooler, drier air. As the rising warm air cools, the moisture it carries condenses, forming a massive thundercloud, sometimes growing to as much as 50,000 ft. in height. Variable winds at different levels of the atmosphere feed the updraft and cause the formation of the tornado's characteristic funnel shape. Did you know? April is the deadliest month for tornadoes [ more] Where Do Tornadoes Occur? The conditions that lead to the formation of tornadoes are most often met in the central and southern U.S., where warm, humid air from the Gulf of Mexico collides with cool, dry air from the Rockies and Canada. This area, dubbed "tornado alley," extends roughly from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians, and from Iowa and Nebraska to the Gulf of Mexico. Tornadoes can also occur elsewhere, though, including all U.S. states, Europe, Asia, and Australia. What Kind of Destruction Do Tornadoes Cause? The Fujitascale classifies tornadoes according to the damage they cause. Almost half of all tornadoes fall into the F1 or "moderate damage" category. These tornadoes reach speeds of 73-112 m.p.h. and can overturn automobiles and mobile homes, rip off the roofs of houses, and uproot trees. Only about 1 percent of tornadoes are classified as F5, causing "incredible damage." With wind speeds in excess of 261 m.p.h., these tornadoes are capable of lifting houses off their foundations and hurling them considerable distances.

Lightning Zeus, park rangers, and the probability of being struck by lightning Here are a few things to bear in mind if you don't want to become a victim of a "fiery flaming thunderbolt," as Homercalled Zeus's favorite weapon: Avoid Florida, Texas, and North Carolina—the states with the greatest number of lightning deaths. Especially avoid these states in June (the worst month for lightning), followed by August, July, April, and September. open spaces, fields, and ballparks(location of 28% of deaths and 29% of lightning injuries) standing under trees (18% of deaths and 13% of injuries) boating, fishing, and other water-related activities (13% of deaths and 6% of injuries) golfcourses, tractors or heavy road equipment, and telephone booths airplanes are also a bad idea—the deadliest lightning strike ever was of a Boeing 707 near Elkton, Maryland, on Dec. 8, 1963. The plane then crashed, killing 81 people. Zeus, the Greek king of the gods, punished wayward mortals and miscreant gods by hurling thunderbolts at them. Sky deities from many world religions, including Zeus's Roman counterpart Jupiter, the Germanic Thor, the MayanChac, and the SlavicPerun, all used the thunderbolt as the paramount symbol of power. Whether deserving the wrath of the gods or not, chances are slim that you'll meet your end from a bolt of lightning. Lightning causes only an average of 57 deaths and 300 injuries in the United States each year. The National Weather Service publicationStorm Datarecorded a total of 9,207 deaths—the most of all the severe weather categories—between 1940 and 2011. In 2012, there were 28 lightning fatalities in the U.S. Dead Ringers Whatever your strategy for avoiding lightning, be sure to stay clear of church bells. During the Middle Ages, their ringing was believed to diffuse lightning, and many medieval bells were engraved withFulgura frango("I break up the lightning"). This suspect theory was discredited by a medieval scholar who observed that over a 33-year period, there were 386 lightning strikes on church towers and 103 fatalities among bell ringers. Shocking Humor Should you live to tell the tale of being struck by lightning, you can join the Lightning Strike and Electric Shock Survivors International, Inc. (LSESSI), a non-profit support group for such survivors. With its motto, "Join us if it strikes you," and newsletter,Hit or Miss, the group emphasizes the necessity of a sense of humor in overcoming trauma. One LSESSI member has been victimized both indoors and outdoors. The record holder, however, is Roy C. Sullivan, an ex-park ranger who survived seven different lightning strikes. According to theGuinness Book of Records, Sullivan was first hit by lightning in 1942, which caused him to lose his big toenail. Over the next 35 years, lightning burned off Sullivan's eyebrows, seared his left shoulders, set his hair on fire, struck his legs, injured his ankle, and burned his stomach and chest. Safe Spots The safest place to be during a thunderstorm is in a building, preferably one with a lightning rod. The rod offers protection by intercepting lightning—an electrical charge—and transmitting its current into the ground. Made out of metal so that it conducts the charge, it is usually located as high as possible because of lightning's tendency to strike the nearest object to it. (And yes, Benjamin Franklindid invent the lightning rod, as well as prove that lightning was actually electricity through his flying-a-kite-during-a-thunderstorm experiment.) The other safe place is a car with the windows rolled up, as long as you don't touch any of the metal parts. If lightning strikes, the car's metal body will conduct the charge down to the ground—contrary to popular belief, the rubber of the wheels offers no protection.

Major Terrorist Acts Suspected of or Inspired by al-Qaeda (part 3 & last part): *.2010 (Oct.):Two packages are found on separate cargo planes. Each package contains a bomb consisting of 300 to 400 grams (11-14 oz) of plastic explosives and a detonating mechanism. The bombs are discovered as a result of intelligence received from Saudi Arabia's security chief. The packages, bound from Yemen to the United States, are discovered at en route stop-overs, one in England and one in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. A week after the packages are found, al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula (AQAP) takes responsibility for the plot. *.2011 (Jan.):Two Frenchmen are killed in Niger. France highly suspects the al-Qaeda Organization in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM). *.2011 (Jan.):Four suicide bombings occur in Iraq between January 18-20. At least 137 people are killed and 230 are injured. Al-Qaeda is suspected in all four bombings. *.2011 (April):Men claiming to be Moroccan members of AQIM appear on the internet and threaten to attack Moroccan interests. The following week a bomb killing 15 people, including 10 foreigners, explodes in Marrakesh, Morocco. *.2012 (Summer):Over the summer of 2012, al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb and Ansar Dine, another radical Islamist group, take advantage of the instability and an increasingly weak military in Mali and capture Timbuktu, Kidal, and Gao, cities in the north. They implement and brutally enforce Shariah, or Islamic law. They also destroy many ancient books and manuscripts and vandalized tombs, saying that worshipping saints violates the tenets of Islam. The Islamists continue to stretch their area of control into the fall, prompting concern that legions of Islamists will gather and train in northern Mali and threaten large swaths of Africa. ECOWAS begins planning a military action to reclaim the north from the Islamists. *.2012 (Sept.):Militants armed with antiaircraft weapons and rocket-propelled grenades fire upon the American consulate in Benghazi, Libya, killing U.S. ambassador to Libya Christopher Stevens and three other embassy officials. U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton says the U.S. believes that al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, a group closely linked to al-Qaeda, orchestrated the attack. *.2013 (Jan.):Militants push into the southern part of Mali, crossing into the area controlled by the government. France sends about 2,150 troops to Mali to push them back. By the end of January, French troops push the militants out of Gao and Timbuktu, forcing them back to northern Mali. Soldiers from other African nations are also deployed to Mali to aid in the effort and will take a more active role in both combat and training Malian troops once France withdraws from Mali. *.2013 (Jan. 16):Islamic militants enter neighboring Algeria from Mali and take dozens of foreign hostages at the BP-controlled In Amenas gas field. Algerian officials say the militants are members of an offshoot of al-Qaeda called Al Mulathameen and are acting in retaliation for France's intervention in Mali. On Jan. 17, Algerian troops storm the complex and attack the kidnappers. By the end of the standoff on Jan. 20, 29 militants and 37 hostages are killed. Three Americans are among the dead. *.2013 (April 15):Multiple bombs explode near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. Two bombs go off around 2:50 in the afternoon as runners finish the race. Three people are killed and more than 170 people are injured. Three days later, the FBI releases photos and video of two suspects in the hope that the public can help identify them. Just hours after the FBI releases the images, the two suspects rob a gas station in Central Square then shoot and kill a MIT police officer in his car. Afterwards, the two men carjack a SUV and tell the driver that they had set off the explosions at the marathon. Police pursue the vehicle into Watertown. During the shootout, a MBTA officer is shot and one of the suspects, identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev, age 26, is killed. A suicide vest is found on his body. The other suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, age 19, remains at large for several hours, causing a massive manhunt and lockdown for all of Boston, Cambridge, and many other surrounding communities. The manhunt ends the next evening, on April 19, when he is found alive, but seriously injured, hiding in a boat behind a house in Watertown. The two suspects are brothers and had been living together on Norfolk Street in Cambridge. They have lived in the U.S. for about a decade, but are from an area near Chechnya, a region in Russia. While the ongoing investigation so far has shown that the two suspects were not acting with any known terrorist group, evidence suggests they may have learned how to build the bombs online from an affiliate of Al Qaeda in Yemen.

Major Terrorist Acts Suspected of or Inspired by al-Qaeda (part 2): *.2008 (Jan.):In the worst attack in Iraq in months, a suicide bomber kills 30 people at a home where mourners were paying their respects to the family of a man killed in a car bomb. The Iraqi military blames the attack on al-Qaeda in Iraq. *.2008 (Feb.):Nearly 100 people die when two women suicide bombers, who are believed to be mentally impaired, attack crowded pet markets in eastern Baghdad. The U.S. military says al-Qaeda in Iraq has been recruiting female patients at psychiatric hospitals to become suicide bombers. *.2008 (April):A suicide bomber attacks the funeral for two nephews of a prominent Sunni tribal leader, Sheik Kareem Kamil al-Azawi, killing 30 people in Iraq's Diyala Province. *.2008 (April):A suicide car bomber kills 40 people in Baquba, the capital of Diyala Province in Iraq. *.2008 (April):Thirty-five people die and 62 are injured when a woman detonates explosives that she was carrying under her dress in a busy shopping district in Iraq’s Diyala Province. *.2008 (May):At least 12 worshipers are killed and 44 more injured when a bomb explodes in the Bin Salman mosque near Sana, Yemen. *.2008 (May):An al-Qaeda suicide bomber detonates explosives in Hit, a city in the Anbar Province of Iraq, killing six policemen and four civilians, and injuring 12 other people. *.2008 (June):A car bomb explodes outside the Danish Embassy in Pakistan, killing six people and injuring dozens. Al-Qaeda claims responsibility, saying the attack was retaliation for the 2006 publication of political cartoons in the Danish newspaperJyllands-Postenthat depicted the Islamic prophet Muhammad. *.2008 (June):A female suicide bomber kills 15 and wounds 40 others, including seven Iraqi policemen, near a courthouse in Baquba, Iraq. *.2008 (June):A suicide bomber kills at least 20 people at a meeting between sheiks and Americans in Karmah, a town west of Baghdad. *.2008 (Aug.):About two dozens worshippers are killed in three separate attacks as they make their way toward Karbala to celebrate the birthday of 9th-century imam Muhammad al-Mahdi. Iraqi officials blame al-Qaeda in Iraq for the attacks. *.2008 (Aug.):A bomb left on the street explodes and tears through a bus carrying Lebanese troops, killing 15 people, nine of them soldiers. No one claims responsibility for the attack, but in 2007, the army fought an al-Qaeda linked Islamist group in Tripoli. *.2008 (Aug.):At least 43 people are killed when a suicide bomber drives an explosives-laden car into a police academy in Issers, a town in northern Algeria. *.2008 (Aug.):Two car bombs explode at a military command and a hotel in Bouira, killing a dozen people. No group takes responsibility for either attack, Algerian officials said they suspect al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb is behind the bombings. *.2008 (Sept.):In its first acknowledged ground attack inside Pakistan, U.S. commandos raid a village that is home to al-Qaeda militants in the tribal region near the border with Afghanistan. The number of casualties is unclear. *.2008 (Sept.):A car bomb and a rocket strike the U.S. embassy in Yemen as staff arrived to work, killing 16 people, including 4 civilians. At least 25 suspected al-Qaeda militants are arrested for the attack. *.2008 (Nov.):at least 28 people die and over 60 more are injured when three bombs explode minutes apart in Baghdad, Iraq. Officials suspect the explosions are linked to al-Qaeda. *.2009 (April):on April 6 in Baghdad, a series of six attacks kills 36 people and injure more than 100 in Shiite neighborhoods; April 23: at least 80 people are killed in three separate suicide bombings in Baghdad. This is the largest single-day death toll due to attacks since February 2008. One of the bombings is reportedly set off by a female, who was standing among a group of women and children receiving food aid. *.2009 (Dec.):A Nigerian man on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit attempted to ignite an explosive device hidden in his underwear. The explosive device that failed to detonate was a mixture of powder and liquid that did not alert security personnel in the airport. The alleged bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, told officials later that he was directed by the terrorist group al-Qaeda. The suspect was already on the government's watch list when he attempted the bombing; his father, a respected Nigerian banker, had told the U.S. government that he was worried about his son's increased extremism. *.2009 (Dec.):A suicide bomber kills eight Americans civilians, seven of them CIA agents, at a base in Afghanistan. It's the deadliest attack on the agency since 9/11. The attacker is reportedly a double agent from Jordan who was acting on behalf of al-Qaeda.

Major Terrorist Acts Suspected of or Inspired by al-Qaeda (part 1): The following list includes the date, target of attacks, and casualties of significant attacks by the terrorist goup al-Qaeda. *.1993 (Feb.):Bombing of World Trade Center (WTC); 6 killed. *.1993 (Oct.):Killing of U.S. soldiers in Somalia. *.1996 (June):Truck bombing at Khobar Towers barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia, killed 19 Americans. *.1998 (Aug.):Bombing of U.S. embassies in Kenya and Tanzania; 224 killed, including 12 Americans. *.1999 (Dec.):Plot to bomb millennium celebrations in Seattle foiled when customs agents arrest an Algerian smuggling explosives into the U.S. *.2000 (Oct.):Bombing of the USSColein port in Yemen; 17 U.S. sailors killed. *.2001 (Sept.):Destruction of WTC; attack on Pentagon. Total dead 2,992. *.2001 (Dec.):Man tried to denote shoe bomb on flight from Paris to Miami. *.2002 (April):Explosion at historic synagogue in Tunisia left 21 dead, including 11 German tourists. *.2002 (May):Car exploded outside hotel in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 14, including 11 French citizens. *.2002 (June):Bomb exploded outside American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12. *.2002 (Oct.):Boat crashed into oil tanker off Yemen coast, killing 1. *.2002 (Oct.):Nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia, killed 202, mostly Australian citizens. *.2002 (Nov.):Suicide attack on a hotel in Mombasa, Kenya, killed 16. *.2003 (May):Suicide bombers killed 34, including 8 Americans, at housing compounds for Westerners in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. *.2003 (May):4 bombs killed 33 people targeting Jewish, Spanish, and Belgian sites in Casablanca, Morocco. *.2003 (Aug.):Suicide car-bomb killed 12, injured 150 at Marriott Hotel in Jakarta, Indonesia. *.2003 (Nov.):Explosions rocked a Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, housing compound, killing 17. *.2003 (Nov.):Suicide car-bombers simultaneously attacked 2 synagogues in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 25 and injuring hundreds. *.2003 (Nov.):Truck bombs detonated at London bank and British consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, killing 26. *.2004 (March):10 bombs on 4 trains exploded almost simultaneously during the morning rush hour in Madrid, Spain, killing 191 and injuring more than 1,500. *.2004 (May):Terrorists attacked Saudi oil company offices in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, killing 22. *.2004 (June):Terrorists kidnapped and executed American Paul Johnson, Jr., in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. *.2004 (Sept.):Car bomb outside the Australian embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, killed 9. *.2004 (Dec.):Terrorists entered the U.S. Consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, killing 9 (including 4 attackers). *.2005 (July):Bombs exploded on 3 trains and a bus in London, England, killing 52. *.2005 (Oct.):22 killed by 3 suicide bombs in Bali, Indonesia. *.2005 (Nov.):57 killed at 3 American hotels in Amman, Jordan. *.2006 (Jan.):Two suicide bombers carrying police badges blow themselves up near a celebration at the Police Academy in Baghdad, killing nearly 20 police officers. Al-Qaeda in Iraq takes responsibility. *.2006 (Aug.):Police arrest 24 British-born Muslims, most of whom have ties to Pakistan, who had allegedly plotted to blow up as many as 10 planes using liquid explosives. Officials say details of the plan were similar to other schemes devised by al-Qaeda. *.2007 (April):Suicide bombers attack a government building in Algeria's capital, Algiers, killing 35 and wounding hundreds more. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claims responsibility. *.2007 (April):Eight people, including two Iraqi legislators, die when a suicide bomber strikes inside the Parliament building in Baghdad. An organization that includes al-Qaeda in Mesopotamia claims responsibility. In another attack, the Sarafiya Bridge that spans the Tigris River is destroyed. *.2007 (June):British police find car bombs in two vehicles in London. The attackers reportedly tried to detonate the bombs using cell phones but failed. Government officials say al-Qaeda is linked to the attempted attack. The following day, an SUV carrying bombs bursts into flames after it slams into an entrance to Glasgow Airport. Officials say the attacks are connected. *.2007 (Dec.):As many as 60 people are killed in two suicide attacks near United Nations offices and government buildings in Algiers, Algeria. The bombings occur within minutes of each other. Al-Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb, formerly called the Salafist Group for Preaching, claims responsibility. It's the worst attack in the Algeria in more than 10 years. *.2007 (Dec.):Benazir Bhutto, former Pakistani prime minister, is assassinated in a suicide attack on Dec. 27, 2007, at a campaign rally in Rawalpindi, Pakistan. President Pervez Musharraf blames al Qaeda for the attack, which kills 23 other people. Baitullah Mehsud, a Taliban leader with close ties to al Qaeda is later cited as the assassin.

September 11, 2001: Timeline of Terrorism (all times are eastern daylight time) *.An American Airlines Boeing 767 and a United Airlines Boeing 767, both en route from Boston to Los Angeles, were hijacked and flown only minutes apart into the north and south towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Shortly afterward, an American Airlines Boeing 757, en route from Washington, DC, to Los Angeles, crashed into the Pentagon. A fourth hijacked plane, operated by United and headed from Newark to San Francisco, crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pa. Both World Trade Center towers collapsed, and a section of the Pentagon was destroyed. All 266 people aboard the planes were killed; the total number of dead and missing was 3,038 (including the 19 hijackers). The names of the hijackers, Islamic radicals part of the al-Qaeda terrorist organization, were released a few days after the attacks. *.8:45A.M.—American Airlines Flight 11, Boston to Los Angeles, with 92 people aboard, crashes into the north tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. *.9:03A.M.—United Airlines Flight 175, Boston to Los Angeles, with 65 people aboard, flies into the south tower of the World Trade Center. *.9:40A.M.—American Flight 77, Washington, DC, to Los Angeles, with 64 people aboard, crashes into the Pentagon. *.9:48A.M.—The U.S. Capitol and the West Wing of the White House are evacuated. *.9:49A.M.—The Federal Aviation Administration orders all aircraft grounded in the United States. *.9:50A.M.—South tower of the World Trade Center collapses. *.9:58A.M.—Emergency operator in Pennsylvania receives a call from a passenger on United Flight 93, Newark to San Francisco, with 45 people aboard, stating the plane was being hijacked. *.10:00A.M.—United Flight 93 crashes about 80 mi southeast of Pittsburgh. Passengers apparently attempted to overpower the hijackers, who were heading the plane toward Washington, DC. *.10:29A.M.—North tower of the World Trade Center collapses. *.5:20P.M.—Another World Trade Center building collapses.

Miscellaneous Disasters 1952 Dec. 4–7, London, England:high-pressure system settled over London, trapping pollution near the ground. Some 4,000 people died in “Great Smog,” mostly from respiratory and cardiac distress. 1981 July 18, Kansas City, Mo.:suspended walkway in Hyatt Regency Hotel collapsed; 113 dead, 186 injured. 1982 Sept. 29–Oct. 1:seven people in the Chicago area were killed after taking Extra-Strength Tylenol capsules laced with cyanide. 31 million bottles of Tylenol were eventually taken off the market. The murderer was never caught. 1990 July 2, Mecca, Saudi Arabia:a stampede in a 1,800-foot-long pedestrian tunnel leading from Mecca to a tent city for pilgrims resulted in the deaths of 1,426 pilgrims. 1991 Nov. 29, nr. Coalinga, Calif.:a massive traffic accident during a severe dust storm involved 104 vehicles in a pileup on Interstate 5; 17 killed. 1995 June 29, Seoul, Korea:five-story wing of Sampoong Department Store collapsed, killing at least 206 people, injuring 910 others. 1996 May 10–11, Mt. Everest, Nepal:8 climbers died near summit during storm on mountain. A total of 15 climbers died that season, the worst single loss of life on Everest. 1997 April 15, Mecca, Saudi Arabia:fire and stampede in pilgrim's encampment killed 217 and injured at least 1,300. 2004 Feb. 1, Mecca, Saudi Arabia:a stampede at the Hajj pilgrimage, during the stone-throwing ritual, killed 251 pilgrims. 2005 Aug. 31, Baghdad, Iraq:rumor of a bomber led to a stampede of Shiite pilgrims on a bridge over the Tigris, killing more than 950. 2006 Jan. 12, Mecca, Saudi Arabia:a stampede by pilgrims on the annual hajj killed at least 360. Jan. 28, Katowice, Poland:67 people died from the collapse of the roof of. the International Exhibition Hall. There had been 500 people inside at the time. Feb. 21, Moscow, Russia:a market roof collapsed, killing 56 people. April 17, Mexico:an overcrowded tour bus returning from a religious festival veered off the road and plunged down a ravine, killing 47. 2007 June 17, Nashville, Tenn.:A race-car driver performing a stunt at a children's charity event lost control of his car and crashed into bystanders, killing 6. Aug. 1, Minneapolis, Minn.:An eight-lane interstate bridge packed with cars broke into sections and collapsed into the Mississippi River, killing at least nine and injuring at least 60. The bridge was in the midst of repairs when it buckled and broke apart. Aug. 14, Hunan province, China:A bridge undergoing construction collapsed in southern China, killing at least 28 people. 2008 Feb. 21, Venezuela:a Venezuelan passenger plane crashes into an Andean Mountain within the Sierra La Culata National Park killing all 46 people aboard. June 21, the Philippines:a ferry, thePrincess of the Stars, is struck by Typhoon Fengshen, killing most of the 865 passengers and crew. There are 59 known survivors. Almost 500 other people die during the storm. Aug. 1, Pakistan:a large mass of ice breaks on K2, the world's second-highest mountain, causing an avalanche that kills 11 climbers and injures several others. Aug. 4, Himachal Pradesh:almost 150 people die when rumors of a landslide cause pilgrims to stampede during a festival celebrating the Hindu mother goddess at Naina Devi temple in northern India. Sept. 30, India:over 100 people die and hundreds more are seriously injured when a wall of the Chamunda Devi temple in Jodhpur, northern India, collapses during the Navratra religious festival and causes a stampede.

Terrorist Attacks in the U.S. or Against Americans (part 2 of 2): 2001 Sept. 11, New York City, Arlington, Va., and Shanksville, Pa.:hijackers crashed 2 commercial jets into twin towers of World Trade Center; 2 more hijacked jets were crashed into the Pentagon and a field in rural Pa. Total dead and missing numbered 2,9921: 2,749 in New York City, 184 at the Pentagon, 40 in Pa., and 19 hijackers. Islamic al-Qaeda terrorist group blamed. (See September 11, 2001: Timeline of Terrorism.) 2002 June 14, Karachi, Pakistan:bomb explodes outside American consulate in Karachi, Pakistan, killing 12. Linked to al-Qaeda. 20031 May 12, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:suicide bombers kill 34, including 8 Americans, at housing compounds for Westerners. Al-Qaeda suspected. 2004 May 29–31, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:terrorists attack the offices of a Saudi oil company in Khobar, Saudi Arabia, take foreign oil workers hostage in a nearby residential compound, leaving 22 people dead including one American. June 11–19, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:terrorists kidnap and execute Paul Johnson Jr., an American, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. 2 other Americans and BBC cameraman killed by gun attacks. Dec. 6, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:terrorists storm the U.S. consulate, killing 5 consulate employees. 4 terrorists were killed by Saudi security. 2005 Nov. 9, Amman, Jordan:suicide bombers hit 3 American hotels, Radisson, Grand Hyatt, and Days Inn, in Amman, Jordan, killing 57. Al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. 2006 Sept. 13, Damascus, Syria:an attack by four gunman on the American embassy is foiled. 2007 Jan. 12, Athens, Greece:the U.S. embassy is fired on by an anti-tank missile causing damage but no injuries. Dec. 11, Algeria:more than 60 people are killed, including 11 United Nations staff members, when Al Qaeda terrorists detonate two car bombs near Algeria's Constitutional Council and the United Nations offices. 2008 May 26, Iraq:a suicide bomber on a motorcycle kills six U.S. soldiers and wounds 18 others in Tarmiya. June 24, Iraq:a suicide bomber kills at least 20 people, including three U.S. Marines, at a meeting between sheiks and Americans in Karmah, a town west of Baghdad. June 12, Afghanistan:four American servicemen are killed when a roadside bomb explodes near a U.S. military vehicle in Farah Province. July 13, Afghanistan:nine U.S.soldiers and at least 15 NATO troops die when Taliban militants boldly attack an American base in Kunar Province, which borders Pakistan. It's the most deadly against U.S. troops in three years. Aug. 18 and 19, Afghanistan:as many as 15 suicide bombers backed by about 30 militants attack a U.S. military base, Camp Salerno, in Bamiyan. Fighting between U.S. troops and members of the Taliban rages overnight. No U.S. troops are killed. Sept. 16, Yemen:a car bomb and a rocket strike the U.S. embassy in Yemen as staff arrived to work, killing 16 people, including 4 civilians. At least 25 suspected al-Qaeda militants are arrested for the attack. Nov. 26, India:in a series of attacks on several of Mumbai's landmarks and commercial hubs that are popular with Americans and other foreign tourists, including at least two five-star hotels, a hospital, a train station, and a cinema. About 300 people are wounded and nearly 190 people die, including at least 5 Americans. 2009 Feb. 9, Iraq:a suicide bomber kills four American soldiers and their Iraqi translator near a police checkpoint. April 10, Iraq:a suicide attack kills five American soldiers and two Iraqi policemen. June 1, Little Rock, Arkansas:Abdulhakim Muhammed, a Muslim convert from Memphis, Tennessee, is charged with shooting two soldiers outside a military recruiting center. One is killed and the other is wounded. In a January 2010 letter to the judge hearing his case, Muhammed asked to change his plea from not guilty to guilty, claimed ties to al-Qaeda, and called the shooting a jihadi attack "to fight those who wage war on Islam and Muslims." Dec. 25:A Nigerian man on a flight from Amsterdam to Detroit attempted to ignite an explosive device hidden in his underwear. The explosive device that failed to detonate was a mixture of powder and liquid that did not alert security personnel in the airport. The alleged bomber, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, told officials later that he was directed by the terrorist group Al Qaeda. The suspect was already on the government's watch list when he attempted the bombing; his father, a respected Nigerian banker, had told the U.S. government that he was worried about his son's increased extremism. Dec. 30, Iraq:a suicide bomber kills eight Americans civilians, seven of them CIA agents, at a base in Afghanistan. It's the deadliest attack on the agency since 9/11. The attacker is reportedly a double agent from Jordan who was acting on behalf of al-Qaeda.

Terrorist Attacks in the U.S. or Against Americans (part 1 of 2): The following timeline lists terrorist attacks against the United States and Americans living either in the U.S. or abroad. 1920 Sept. 16, New York City: TNT bomb planted in unattended horse- drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street opposite House of Morgan, killing 35 people and injuring hundreds more. Bolshevist or anarchist terrorists believed responsible, but crime never solved. 1975 Jan. 24, New York City:bomb set off in historic Fraunces Tavernkilled 4 and injured more than 50 people. Puerto Rican nationalist group (FALN) claimed responsibility, and police tied 13 other bombings to the group. 1979 Nov. 4, Tehran, Iran:Iranian radical students seized the U.S. embassy, taking 66 hostages. 14 were later released. The remaining 52 were freed after 444 days on the day of President Reagan's inauguration. 1982–1991 Lebanon:Thirty US and other Western hostages kidnapped in Lebanon by Hezbollah. Some were killed, some died in captivity, and some were eventually released. Terry Anderson was held for 2,454 days. 1983 April 18, Beirut, Lebanon:U.S. embassy destroyed in suicide car-bomb attack; 63 dead, including 17 Americans. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. Oct. 23, Beirut, Lebanon:Shiite suicide bombers exploded truck near U.S. military barracks at Beirut airport, killing 241 marines. Minutes later a second bomb killed 58 French paratroopers in their barracks in West Beirut. Dec. 12, Kuwait City, Kuwait:Shiite truck bombers attacked the U.S. embassy and other targets, killing 5 and injuring 80. 1984 Sept. 20, east Beirut, Lebanon:truck bomb exploded outside the U.S. embassy annex, killing 24, including 2 U.S. military. Dec. 3, Beirut, Lebanon:Kuwait Airways Flight 221, from Kuwait to Pakistan, hijacked and diverted to Tehran. 2 Americans killed. 1985 April 12, Madrid, Spain:Bombing at restaurant frequented by U.S. soldiers, killed 18 Spaniards and injured 82. June 14, Beirut, Lebanon:TWA Flight 847 en route from Athens to Rome hijacked to Beirut by Hezbollah terrorists and held for 17 days. A U.S. Navy diver executed. Oct. 7, Mediterranean Sea:gunmen attack Italian cruise ship,Achille Lauro. One U.S. tourist killed. Hijacking linked to Libya. Dec. 18, Rome, Italy, and Vienna, Austria:airports in Rome and Vienna were bombed, killing 20 people, 5 of whom were Americans. Bombing linked to Libya. 1986 April 2, Athens, Greece:A bomb exploded aboard TWA flight 840 en route from Rome to Athens, killing 4 Americans and injuring 9. April 5, West Berlin, Germany:Libyans bombed a disco frequented by U.S. servicemen, killing 2 and injuring hundreds. 1988 Dec. 21, Lockerbie, Scotland:N.Y.-bound Pan-Am Boeing 747 exploded in flight from a terrorist bomb and crashed into Scottish village, killing all 259 aboard and 11 on the ground. Passengers included 35 Syracuse University students and many U.S. military personnel. Libya formally admitted responsibility 15 years later (Aug. 2003) and offered $2.7 billion compensation to victims' families. 1993 Feb. 26, New York City:bomb exploded in basement garage of World Trade Center, killing 6 and injuring at least 1,040 others. In 1995, militant Islamist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 9 others were convicted of conspiracy charges, and in 1998, Ramzi Yousef, believed to have been the mastermind, was convicted of the bombing. Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected. 1995 April 19, Oklahoma City:car bomb exploded outside federal office building, collapsing wall and floors. 168 people were killed, including 19 children and 1 person who died in rescue effort. Over 220 buildings sustained damage. Timothy McVeighand Terry Nichols later convicted in the antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Tex., exactly 2 years earlier. (See Miscellaneous Disasters.) Nov. 13, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:car bomb exploded at U.S. military headquarters, killing 5 U.S. military servicemen. 1996 June 25, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia:truck bomb exploded outside Khobar Towers military complex, killing 19 American servicemen and injuring hundreds of others. 13 Saudis and a Lebanese, all alleged members of Islamic militant group Hezbollah, were indicted on charges relating to the attack in June 2001. 1998 Aug. 7, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:truck bombs exploded almost simultaneously near 2 U.S. embassies, killing 224 (213 in Kenya and 11 in Tanzania) and injuring about 4,500. 4 men connected with al-Qaeda 2 of whom had received training at al-Qaedacamps inside Afghanistan, were convicted of the killings in May 2001 and later sentenced to life in prison. A federal grand jury had indicted 22 men in connection with the attacks, including Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who remained at large. 2000 Oct. 12, Aden, Yemen:U.S. Navy destroyer USSColeheavily damaged when a small boat loaded with explosives blew up alongside it. 17 sailors killed. Linked to Osama bin Laden, or members of al-Qaedaterrorist network.

Terrorist Attacks in the U.S. or Against Americans (part 1 of 2): The following timeline lists terrorist attacks against the United States and Americans living either in the U.S. or abroad. 1920 Sept. 16, New York City: TNT bomb planted in unattended horse- drawn wagon exploded on Wall Street opposite House of Morgan, killing 35 people and injuring hundreds more. Bolshevist or anarchist terrorists believed responsible, but crime never solved. 1975 Jan. 24, New York City:bomb set off in historic Fraunces Tavernkilled 4 and injured more than 50 people. Puerto Rican nationalist group (FALN) claimed responsibility, and police tied 13 other bombings to the group. 1979 Nov. 4, Tehran, Iran:Iranian radical students seized the U.S. embassy, taking 66 hostages. 14 were later released. The remaining 52 were freed after 444 days on the day of President Reagan's inauguration. 1982–1991 Lebanon:Thirty US and other Western hostages kidnapped in Lebanon by Hezbollah. Some were killed, some died in captivity, and some were eventually released. Terry Anderson was held for 2,454 days. 1983 April 18, Beirut, Lebanon:U.S. embassy destroyed in suicide car-bomb attack; 63 dead, including 17 Americans. The Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. Oct. 23, Beirut, Lebanon:Shiite suicide bombers exploded truck near U.S. military barracks at Beirut airport, killing 241 marines. Minutes later a second bomb killed 58 French paratroopers in their barracks in West Beirut. Dec. 12, Kuwait City, Kuwait:Shiite truck bombers attacked the U.S. embassy and other targets, killing 5 and injuring 80. 1984 Sept. 20, east Beirut, Lebanon:truck bomb exploded outside the U.S. embassy annex, killing 24, including 2 U.S. military. Dec. 3, Beirut, Lebanon:Kuwait Airways Flight 221, from Kuwait to Pakistan, hijacked and diverted to Tehran. 2 Americans killed. 1985 April 12, Madrid, Spain:Bombing at restaurant frequented by U.S. soldiers, killed 18 Spaniards and injured 82. June 14, Beirut, Lebanon:TWA Flight 847 en route from Athens to Rome hijacked to Beirut by Hezbollah terrorists and held for 17 days. A U.S. Navy diver executed. Oct. 7, Mediterranean Sea:gunmen attack Italian cruise ship,Achille Lauro. One U.S. tourist killed. Hijacking linked to Libya. Dec. 18, Rome, Italy, and Vienna, Austria:airports in Rome and Vienna were bombed, killing 20 people, 5 of whom were Americans. Bombing linked to Libya. 1986 April 2, Athens, Greece:A bomb exploded aboard TWA flight 840 en route from Rome to Athens, killing 4 Americans and injuring 9. April 5, West Berlin, Germany:Libyans bombed a disco frequented by U.S. servicemen, killing 2 and injuring hundreds. 1988 Dec. 21, Lockerbie, Scotland:N.Y.-bound Pan-Am Boeing 747 exploded in flight from a terrorist bomb and crashed into Scottish village, killing all 259 aboard and 11 on the ground. Passengers included 35 Syracuse University students and many U.S. military personnel. Libya formally admitted responsibility 15 years later (Aug. 2003) and offered $2.7 billion compensation to victims' families. 1993 Feb. 26, New York City:bomb exploded in basement garage of World Trade Center, killing 6 and injuring at least 1,040 others. In 1995, militant Islamist Sheik Omar Abdel Rahman and 9 others were convicted of conspiracy charges, and in 1998, Ramzi Yousef, believed to have been the mastermind, was convicted of the bombing. Al-Qaeda involvement is suspected. 1995 April 19, Oklahoma City:car bomb exploded outside federal office building, collapsing wall and floors. 168 people were killed, including 19 children and 1 person who died in rescue effort. Over 220 buildings sustained damage. Timothy McVeighand Terry Nichols later convicted in the antigovernment plot to avenge the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Tex., exactly 2 years earlier. (See Miscellaneous Disasters.) Nov. 13, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:car bomb exploded at U.S. military headquarters, killing 5 U.S. military servicemen. 1996 June 25, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia:truck bomb exploded outside Khobar Towers military complex, killing 19 American servicemen and injuring hundreds of others. 13 Saudis and a Lebanese, all alleged members of Islamic militant group Hezbollah, were indicted on charges relating to the attack in June 2001. 1998 Aug. 7, Nairobi, Kenya, and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania:truck bombs exploded almost simultaneously near 2 U.S. embassies, killing 224 (213 in Kenya and 11 in Tanzania) and injuring about 4,500. 4 men connected with al-Qaeda 2 of whom had received training at al-Qaedacamps inside Afghanistan, were convicted of the killings in May 2001 and later sentenced to life in prison. A federal grand jury had indicted 22 men in connection with the attacks, including Saudi dissident Osama bin Laden, who remained at large. 2000 Oct. 12, Aden, Yemen:U.S. Navy destroyer USSColeheavily damaged when a small boat loaded with explosives blew up alongside it. 17 sailors killed. Linked to Osama bin Laden, or members of al-Qaedaterrorist network.

The 2013 Boston Marathon Tragedy Three people were killed and hundreds injured after multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. Boston Marathon Shrine, April 20, 2013 Photo credit: Natalie Baumgardner On Monday, April 15, 2013, multiple bombs exploded during the Boston Marathon. The bombs went off at 2:50 in the afternoon as runners finished the race. At least three people were killed. One was an eight year old boy. More than 170 people were injured. The first explosion happened on Boylston Street close to the finish line. The second blast came about ten seconds later, 50 to 100 yards away. Another explosion happened during the afternoon at the JFK Library, but officials confirmed that incident was not connected. The Search for Suspects A U.S. government official said that neither the Boston police nor the FBI received any threats of an attack leading up to the marathon. Parents of the 2012 Newtown, Conn., shooting victims were in attendance near the finish line, sitting in the VIP section of the bleachers, but none of them were injured. President Obamasaid from the White House briefing room, "We still do not know who did this or why, and people shouldn't jump to conclusions before we have all the facts, but make no mistake: We will get to the bottom of this. Any responsible individuals, any responsible groups will feel the full weight of justice." On April 18, 2013, three days after the marathon bombing, the FBI released photos and video of two suspects in the hope that the public could help identify them. "Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers, or family members. Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it to us," said FBI special agent Richard DesLauriers upon the release of the photos and video. On the same day the images were released, President Obama spoke at the Cathedral of the Holy Cross in Boston's South End. After the service, both the president and First lady Michelle Obamavisited those injured in the explosions who were still recovering in the various hospitals throughout Boston. Boston Lockdown Just hours after the FBI released the images, the two suspects robbed a gas station in Central Square then shot and killed a MIT police officer in his car. Afterwards, the two men carjacked a SUV and told the driver that they had set off the explosions at the marathon. Police pursued the vehicle into Watertown. During the shootout, a MBTA officer was shot and one of the suspects, identified as Tamerlan Tsarnaev, was killed. A suicide vest was found on his body. The other suspect, Dzhokhar A. Tsarnaev, age 19, remained at large for several hours, causing a massive manhunt and lockdown for all of Boston, Cambridge, and many other surrounding communities. The manhunt continued throughout Friday, April 19, 2013, until he was found alive, but seriously injured, hiding in a boat behind a house in Watertown. The two suspects were brothers and had been living together on Norfolk Street in Cambridge. They had lived in the U.S. for about a decade, but were from an area near Chechnya, a region in Russia.

Sports Disasters 1955 June 11, Le Mans, France:racing car in Grand Prix hurtled into grandstand, killing 82 spectators. 1964 May 24, Lima, Peru:more than 300 soccer fans killed and over 500 injured during riot and panic following unpopular ruling by referee in Peru vs. Argentina soccer game. It is worst soccer disaster on record. 1971 Jan. 2, Glasgow, Scotland:66 killed in crush at Glasgow Rangers home stadium when soccer fans trying to leave encountered fans trying to return to stadium after hearing that a late goal had been scored. 1972 Sept. 5, Munich, Germany:Arab terrorists invaded the Olympic village killing 2 Israeli athletes and taking 9 hostage. In shootout, 9 athletes, 5 guerrillas, and 1 policeman killed. 1980 Jan. 20, Sincelejo, Colombia:bleachers at a bullring collapsed, leaving 222 dead. 1982 Oct. 20, Moscow:according toSovietsky Sport,as many as 340 died at Lenin Stadium when exiting soccer fans collided with returning fans after final goal was scored. All the fans had been crowded into one section of stadium by police. 1985 May 11, Bradford, England:56 burned to death and over 200 injured when fire engulfed main grandstand at Bradford's soccer stadium. May 29, Brussels, Belgium:when British Liverpool club fans attacked rival Italian supporters of Juventus team at the Heysel Stadium before the European Champion's Cup final, a concrete retaining wall collapsed and 39 people were trampled to death. More than 400 people were injured. 1988 March 12, Katmandu, Nepal:some 80 soccer fans seeking cover during a violent hail storm at the national stadium were trampled to death in a stampede because the stadium doors were locked. 1989 April 15, Sheffield, England:96 people were killed at Hillsborough stadium during a semifinal match between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. Most of the victims, who were Liverpool fans, were crushed against a barrier on an overcrowded area behind one of the goals. It is Britain's worst soccer disaster. 1996 Oct. 16, Guatemala City:at least 84 killed and 147 injured by stampeding soccer fans before a 1998 World Cup qualifying match between Guatemala and Costa Rica held at Mateo Flores National Stadium. 2001 May 9, Accra, Ghana:at least 120 people were killed in a stampede at a soccer match. It was Africa's worst soccer-related disaster. 2012 Feb. 1, Port Said, Egypt:at least 73 people were killed in a fight between fans of rival teams at a soccer match. Security at the gates was questioned as fans used knives, clubs, and other weapons in the brawl. 2013 April 15, Boston, Mass., United States:multiple bombs explode near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The bombs explode at 2:50 in the afternoon as runners finish the race. At least three people are killed, including an eight year old boy. More than 170 people are injured. The first explosion happens on Boylston Street close to the finish line. The second blast comes about ten seconds later, 50 to 100 yards away. A third explosion happens an hour after the first two, but it is a controlled explosion because the police had found the device. Officials also report that two other devices are found around the marathon area, but they are dismantled. Officials confirm that the devices are bombs.

Tsunami in Japan 2011: Waves Stirred Up Tsunami in Japan Japanwas hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquakeon March 11, 2011, that triggered a deadly 23-foot tsunami in the country's north. The giant waves deluged cities and rural areas alike, sweeping away cars, homes, buildings, a train, and boats, leaving a path of death and devastation in its wake. Video footage showed cars racing away from surging waves. The earthquake—the largest in Japan's history—struck about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings for Russia, Taiwan, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the west coasts the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and South America. According to the official toll, the disasters left 15,839 dead, 5,950 injured, and 3,642 missing. Earthquake Causes Nuclear Disaster What's more, cooling systems in one of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in the Fukushima prefecture on the east coast of Japan failed shortly after the earthquake, causing a nuclear crisis. This initial reactor failure was followed by an explosion and eventual partial meltdowns in two reactors, then by a fire in another reactor which released radioactivity directly into the atmosphere. The nuclear troubles were not limited to the Daiichi plant; three other nuclear facilities also reported problems. More than 200,000 residents were evacuated from affected areas. On April 12, Japan raised its assessment of the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to Level 7, the worst rating on the international scale, putting the disaster on par with the 1986 Chernobyl explosion. Developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with countries who use nuclear energy, the scale defines level 7 as a nuclear accident that involves "widespread health and environmental effects" and the "external release of a significant fraction of the reactor core inventory." Almost two months later, the IAEA called the status of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant "very serious." At a news conference on March 13, Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who later gave the disaster the name "Great East Japan Earthquake", emphasized the gravity of the situation: "I think that the earthquake, tsunami, and the situation at our nuclear reactors makes up the worst crisis in the 65 years since the war. If the nation works together, we will overcome." The government called in 100,000 troops to aid in the relief effort. The deployment was the largest since World War II. The tsunami in Japan recalled the 2004 disaster in the Indian Ocean. On Dec. 26, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake—the largest earthquakein 40 years—ruptured in the Indian Ocean, off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The earthquake stirred up the deadliest tsunamiin world history, so powerful that the waves caused loss of life on the coast of Africa and were even detected on the East Coast of the United States. More than 225,000 people died from the disaster, a half a million were injured, and millions were left homeless. Seestatistics on Deadliest Tsunamisand Deadliest Earthquakes. The Science of Tsunami A tsunami(pronounced soo-NAHM-ee) is a series of huge waves that occur as the result of a violent underwater disturbance, such as an earthquakeor volcanic eruption. The waves travel in all directions from the epicenter of the disturbance. The waves may travel in the open sea as fast as 450 miles per hour. As they travel in the open ocean, tsunami waves are generally not particularly large—hence the difficulty in detecting the approach of a tsunami. But as these powerful waves approach shallow waters along the coast, their velocity is slowed and they consequently grow to a great height before smashing into the shore. They can grow as high as 100 feet; the Indian Ocean tsunami generated waves reaching 30 feet. Tsunamiis the Japanese word for "harbor wave." They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as tidal waves, but tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides. Tsunamis have been relatively rare in the Indian Ocean, and are most common in the Pacific Ocean.

Nuclear Disaster Glossary: Terms and Definitions Becquerel, Cesium, Hibakusha, Pressurized water reactor, and more by Catherine McNiff Below are terms and definitions frequently used in the aftermath of the nuclear disaster in Japan. A-M| N-Z Acute radiation syndrome (ARS) Also known as radiation sickness, this serious illness is caused by high doses of radiation. The first symptoms are nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and often include skin damage. Apocalypse A great disaster, usually equated with the end of the world. Becquerel A measurement of radioactivity; its symbol is Bq. Cesium Cesium is a naturally occurring element found combined with other elements in rocks, soil, and dust in low amounts. Nuclear explosions or the breakdown of uranium in fuel elements can produce two radioactive forms of cesium134Cs and137Cs. Both isotopes decay into non-radioactive elements. The half-life of134Cs is two years, and 30 years for137Cs. Boiling water nuclear reactor (BWR) In the boiling water reactor (BWR), the water that passes over the reactor core to slow down the neutrons and acts as a coolant is also the steam source for the turbine, which in turn powers the generator to produce energy. Chernobyl The Chernobyl nuclear power station was the site of the world's worst nuclear accident, in 1986. The result of a flawed reactor design that was operated with inadequately trained personnel, the accident released at least 5% of the radioactive reactor core into the atmosphere and claimed 30 lives within the first few weeks, and unconfirmed numbers over the ensuing years. Cold shutdown The term used to define a reactor coolant system at atmospheric pressure and at a temperature below 200 degrees Fahrenheit following a reactor cooldown. Containment vessels A gas-tight shell or other enclosure around a nuclear reactor to confine fission products that otherwise might be released into the atmosphere in the event of an accident. Such enclosures are usually dome-shaped and made of steel-reinforced concrete. Cooldown The gradual decrease in reactor fuel rod temperature caused by the removal of heat from the reactor coolant system after the reactor has been shutdown. Core The central portion of a nuclear reactor, which contains the fuel assemblies, moderator, neutron poisons, control rods, and support structures. The reactor core is where fission takes place. Exposure Absorption of ionizing radiation or ingestion of a radioisotope. Acute exposure is a large exposure received over a short period of time. Chronic exposure is exposure received over a long period of time, such as during a lifetime. Fission The splitting of an atom, which releases a considerable amount of energy (usually in the form of heat) that can be used to produce electricity. During fission, the heavy nucleus splits into roughly equal parts, producing the nuclei of at least two lighter elements. In addition to energy, this reaction usually releases gamma radiation and two or more daughter neutrons. Fuel rod A long, slender, zirconium metal tube containing pellets of fissionable material, which provide fuel for nuclear reactors. Fuel rods are assembled into bundles called fuel assemblies, which are loaded individually into the reactor core. Fukushima Daiichi Explosions, fire, and a failed cooling system caused by a magnitude 9.0 earthquake and a 23-foot tsunami in this Japanese nuclear power plant in March 2011 released radioactivity directly into the atmosphere and into the sea. Half-life The time required for half the amount of a substance (as a drug, radioactive tracer, or pesticide) in or introduced into a living system or ecosystem to be eliminated or disintegrated by natural processes. Hibakusha The surviving victims of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, meaning "explosion-affected people" International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) The International Atomic Energy Agency, the center of worldwide cooperation in the nuclear field, through which member countries and multiple international partners work together to promote the safe, secure, and peaceful use of nuclear technologies. The United Nations established the IAEA in 1957 as "Atoms for Peace." The IAEA and its then director, Mohamed ElBaradei, shared the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize. International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale (INES) The International Nuclear and Radiological Event Scale is a tool for promptly communicating to the public in consistent terms the safety significance of reported nuclear and radiological incidents and accidents. A-M|N-Z Meltdown The melting of a significant portion of a nuclear-reactor core due to inadequate cooling of the fuel elements, a condition that could lead to the escape of radiation.

Oil Spill Glossary Berm, Dispersants, Static Kill, and more A-Q| R-W Annulus The space between the pipe and the wellbore. Biodegradation The breaking down of substances by microorganisms, such as oil-hungry Alcanivorax, which use the substances for food and generally release harmless byproducts such as carbon dioxide and water. Berm A wall or barrier of sand usually used to protect against flooding along coasts, used to stop oil from washing up on Gulf Coast beaches. Boom A temporary floating barrier used to contain an oil spill. Blowout An uncontrolled flow of reservoir fluids into the wellbore, and sometimes catastrophically to the surface. A blowout may consist of salt water, oil, gas or a mixture of these. Blind shear ram The part of the blowout preventer that can completely seal the well. Blowout preventer (BOP) A large valve at the top of a well that may be closed in the event of a problem. Bottom kill A procedure in which mud and cement are pumped from deep underground to seal the well permanently. Containment cap A collection device engineered to create a seal over an open pipe atop the blowout preventer to funnel leaking oil up to a tanker ship floating above. Crude oil Unrefined petroleum or liquid petroleum. Dispersants Chemicals, such as Corexit, used to break down spilled oil into small droplets. Fossil fuels Fuel, such as oil, formed in the earth from plant or animal remains. Junk shot One method of temporarily plugging an oil leak by shooting material such as shredded tires and golf balls into the broken wellhead. Loop current Flow of warm ocean water that steers Gulf waters toward Florida. Moratorium Suspension of activity. A-Q|R-W Relief well A secondary well drilled to intersect the leaking main well, allowing engineers to intercept the oil flow from the reservoir below and pump in cement and heavy fluids to stop the leak. Rig Machine used to drill a wellbore. Riser pipe The pipe that connects an underwater wellhead to the drilling rig floating on the surface of the ocean above. Skimmers Devices, such as boats, used to remove oil from the water's surface. Slick A thin film of oil on the water's surface. Static Kill A method of spill containment which involves pumping mud and cement into the damaged well to prevent more oil from leaking into the ocean. Tar balls Dense, black sticky spheres of hydrocarbons; formed from weathered oil. Top hat A containment device used to cap off the oil. Top kill A temporary method of sealing an oil well involving pumping dense mud into the blowout preventer under such high pressure that it forces the leaking oil back into the ground. Wellbore A hole drilled for the purpose of extracting oil. Wellhead A system of spools, valves and assorted adapters that provide pressure control of a production well. The wellhead is the component at the surface of the wellbore to which the apparatus for extracting the oil is attached. The blowout preventer is at the wellhead.

Oil Spills and Disasters The following list includes major oil spills since 1967. The circumstances surrounding the spill, amount of oil spilled, and the attendant environmental damage is also given. 1967 March 18, Cornwall, Eng.:Torrey Canyonran aground, spilling 38 million gallons of crude oil off the Scilly Islands. 1976 Dec. 15, Buzzards Bay, Mass.:Argo Merchantran aground and broke apart southeast of Nantucket Island, spilling its entire cargo of 7.7 million gallons of fuel oil. 1977 April, North Sea:blowout of well in Ekofisk oil field leaked 81 million gallons. 1978 March 16, off Portsall, France:wrecked supertankerAmoco Cadizspilled 68 million gallons, causing widespread environmental damage over 100 mi of Brittany coast. 1979 June 3, Gulf of Mexico:exploratory oil well Ixtoc 1 blew out, spilling an estimated 140 million gallons of crude oil into the open sea. Although it is one of the largest known oil spills, it had a low environmental impact. July 19, Tobago:theAtlantic Empressand theAegean Captaincollided, spilling 46 million gallons of crude. While being towed, theAtlantic Empressspilled an additional 41 million gallons off Barbados on Aug. 2. 1980 March 30, Stavanger, Norway:floating hotel in North Sea collapsed, killing 123 oil workers. 1983 Feb. 4, Persian Gulf, Iran:Nowruz Field platform spilled 80 million gallons of oil. Aug. 6, Cape Town, South Africa:the Spanish tankerCastillo de Bellvercaught fire, spilling 78 million gallons of oil off the coast. 1988 July 6, North Sea off Scotland:166 workers killed in explosion and fire on Occidental Petroleum'sPiper Alpharig in North Sea; 64 survivors. It is the world's worst offshore oil disaster. Nov. 10, Saint John's, Newfoundland:Odysseyspilled 43 million gallons of oil. 1989 March 24, Prince William Sound, Alaska:tankerExxon Valdezhit an undersea reef and spilled 10 million–plus gallons of oil into the water, causing the worst oil spill in U.S. history. Dec. 19, off Las Palmas, the Canary Islands:explosion in Iranian supertanker, theKharg-5,caused 19 million gallons of crude oil to spill into Atlantic Ocean about 400 mi north of Las Palmas, forming a 100-square-mile oil slick. 1990 June 8, off Galveston, Tex.:Mega Borgreleased 5.1 million gallons of oil some 60 nautical miles south-southeast of Galveston as a result of an explosion and subsequent fire in the pump room. 1991 Jan. 23–27, southern Kuwait:during the Persian Gulf War, Iraq deliberately released 240–460 million gallons of crude oil into the Persian Gulf from tankers 10 mi off Kuwait. Spill had little military significance. On Jan. 27, U.S. warplanes bombed pipe systems to stop the flow of oil. April 11, Genoa, Italy:Havenspilled 42 million gallons of oil in Genoa port. May 28, Angola:ABT Summerexploded and leaked 15–78 million gallons of oil off the coast of Angola. It's not clear how much sank or burned. 1992 March 2, Fergana Valley, Uzbekistan:88 million gallons of oil spilled from an oil well. 1993 Aug. 10, Tampa Bay, Fla.:three ships collided, the bargeBouchard B155,the freighterBalsa 37,and the bargeOcean 255.TheBouchardspilled an estimated 336,000 gallons of No. 6 fuel oil into Tampa Bay. 1994 Sept. 8, Russia:dam built to contain oil burst and spilled oil into Kolva River tributary. U.S. Energy Department estimated spill at 2 million barrels. Russian state-owned oil company claimed spill was only 102,000 barrels. 1996 Feb. 15, off Welsh coast:supertankerSea Empressran aground at port of Milford Haven, Wales, spewed out 70,000 tons of crude oil, and created a 25-mile slick. 1999 Dec. 12, French Atlantic coast:Maltese-registered tankerErikabroke apart and sank off Britanny, spilling 3 million gallons of heavy oil into the sea. 2000 Jan. 18, off Rio de Janeiro:ruptured pipeline owned by government oil company, Petrobras, spewed 343,200 gallons of heavy oil into Guanabara Bay. Nov. 28, Mississippi River south of New Orleans:oil tankerWestchesterlost power and ran aground near Port Sulphur, La., dumping 567,000 gallons of crude oil into lower Mississippi. Spill was largest in U.S. waters sinceExxon Valdezdisaster in March 1989. 2002 Nov. 13, Spain:Prestigesuffered a damaged hull and was towed to sea and sank. Much of the 20 million gallons of oil remains underwater. 2003 July 28, Pakistan:TheTasman Spirit,a tanker, ran aground near the Karachi port, and eventually cracked into two pieces. One of its four oil tanks burst open, leaking 28,000 tons of crude oil into the sea. 2004 Dec. 7, Unalaska, Aleutian Islands, Alaska:A major storm pushed the M/VSelendang Ayuup onto a rocky shore, breaking it in two. 337,000 gallons of oil were released, most of which was driven onto the shoreline of Makushin and Skan Bays.

Ten Largest Oil Spills in the U.S. The following table lists the largest oil spills in U.S. history. The date of the spill, circumstances surrounding the spill, and amount of oil spilled are also given. RankDateCauseSourceLocationSpill Volume 1.April 20, 2010explosiondrilling rigDeepwater HorizonGulf of Mexico, 50 miles off the coast of Louisianaan estimated 200,000 gallons a day 2.March 24, 1989reef collisiontankerExxon ValdezPrince William Sound, Alaska10+ million gallons 3.Dec. 15, 1976ran agroundtankerArgo MerchantNantucket Island7.7 million gallons 4.Aug.–Sept. 2005Hurricane Katrinavarious sourcesNew Orleans, La.7 million gallons 5.June 8, 1990explosiontankerMega Borg60 miles off Galveston, Texas5.1 million gallons 6.Nov. 28, 2000ran agroundtankerWestchesterPort Sulphur, La.567,000 gallons 7.Jan. 23, 2010collisiontankerEagle OtomePort Arthur, Texas462,000 gallons 8.July 25, 2008collisionunnamed bargeNew Orleans, La.419,000 gallons 9.Dec. 7, 2004ran agroundM/VSelendang AyuAleutian Islands, Alaska337,000 gallons 10.Aug. 10, 1993collisionbargeBouchard B155Tampa Bay, Fla.336,000 gallons

Ten Largest Oil Spills in the World The following table lists the largest oil spills in the world. The date of the spill, circumstances surrounding the spill, and amount of oil spilled are also given. RankDateCauseSourceLocationSpill Volume 1.April 20, 2010explosiondrilling rigDeepwater HorizonGulf of Mexico, 50 miles off the coast of Louisianaan estimated 200,000 gallons a day 2.Jan. 23–27, 1991deliberate act by Iraqtankers10 mi off Kuwait240–460 million gallons 3.June 3, 1979well blowoutoil well Ixtoc 1Gulf of Mexico140 million gallons 4.March 2, 1992leakoil wellFergana Valley, Uzbekistan88 million gallons 5.July 19, 1979collisiontankersAtlantic Empressand theAegean CaptainTrinidad & Tobago87 million gallons 6.Sept. 8, 1994dam burstoil reservoirRussia84 million gallons 7.April, 1977well blowoutEkofisk oil fieldNorth Sea81 million gallons 8.Feb. 4, 1983collisionNowruz field platformPersian Gulf, Iran80 million gallons 9.May 28, 1991explosiontanker ABT Summeroff Angola78 million gallons 10.Aug. 6, 1983firetankerCastillo de BellverCape Town, South Africa78 million gallons

2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Timeline (part 2 of 2): Saturday, May 29 40 days into the spill, the "top kill" method is abandoned because the mixture cannot overpower the pressure of the oil spilling from the leak. June Tuesday, June 1 Outrage ensues when Tony Hayward says, "I'd like my life back." BP shares plunge about 17%, losing $23 billion in market value; BP stock lost about $67 billion over the six weeks since the explosion. The U.S. Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into the initial explosion and the ensuing spill. Fishing restrictions increase to 37% of federal waters in the Gulf. Thursday, June 3 Technicians cut a riser pipe nearly one-mile under the surface and plan to then dome the leak and siphon the oil to a tank on the surface. As a result, the rate of flow increased by 20% beause the oil has less distance to travel to leak. Friday, June 4 President Obama cancels his trip to Australia, Indonesia, and Guam to make his third trip to the Gulf Coast. He voices his outrage at BP for spending millions of dollars on television advertisements. Saturday, June 12 President Obama speaks with British Prime Minister David Cameron about BP oil spill. The U.S. Coast Guard orders BP engineers to increase the rate of containment of the spewing oil; the consequences for failing to do so are not outlined, however. Sunday, June 13 BP officials state that the containment cap captured 15,000 barrels of oil on the previous day, bringing the total number of barrels captured by the device to 119,000. Monday, June 14 President Obama visits the Gulf for the fourth time in eight weeks. Congress and the Obama administration demand that BP halt paying dividends to its shareholders in order to ensure that the company will have money to pay for damages. BP says it will be able to siphon 40,000 to 53,000 barrels a day by the end of June. Tuesday, June 15 Oil executives are summoned to Congress to testify about the safety of offshore drilling and share their response plans for another such disaster. Leak estimates are increased to 60,000 barrels per day; this means 2.5 million barrels a day are spilling into the Gulf. At this rate, the amount of the ExxonValdezspill is reproduced every four days. That night, President Obama delivers a speech about the oil spill from the Oval Office. The speech, his first from the Oval Office, is watched by 32 million viewers. Wednesday, June 16 President Obama meets with top executives and lawyers of BP at the White House. He later announces that BP agreed to create a $20 billion fund to pay claims and damages. The fund will be run by Kenneth R. Feinberg, who oversaw the compensation for victims of Sept. 11. Thursday, June 17 Tony Hayward testifies before Congress. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that containment devices should be able to capture 53,000 barrels per day by the end of June. In the future, the collection of 60,000 to 80,000 barrels a day may take place with the successful implementation of a new, multi-hose well cap. BP recovers 25,290 barrels of oil, the most it has recovered in a single day. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) apologizes to BP for being forced by the Obama administration to create a $20 billion fund, calling it a "shakedown." Under pressure, he later apologizes for his apology. Friday, June 18 Tony Hayward steps away from BP's response efforts and passes the responsibilities to Robert Dudley, the managing director of BP. Hayward still remains the CEO of BP. The Center for Biological Diversity files a lawsuit against BP, seeking monetary penalties for the disaster under the Clean Water Act. The Center calculates that BP's liability will be around $19 billion, assuming the spill continues into August. Saturday, June 19 Anadarko Petroleum, which owns a quarter of the well, denies any responsibility for the disaster. CEO Jim Hackett blames BP for "gross negligence." Sunday, June 20 Photos of Hayward with his son as a yacht race make their way into the US media and cause frenzy throughout the country. Tuesday, June 22 American Bob Dudley assumes control of the spill from Hayward at a major oil industry conference; Hayward is not present. Chief of staff Steve Westwell delivers a speech on Hayward's behalf and is disrupted as two Greenpeace protesters assume the stage. Wednesday, June 23 An underwater robot bumps into the wellhead cap which results in oil gushing unhindered for several hours. Friday, June 25 BP announces the cost of containing and cleaning the oil spill reaches $2.35 billion. Monday, June 28 The Guardian, a widely circulated British newspaper, publishes a protest letter signed by 171 critics, writers, and artists about BP's financial ties to the Tate Britain gallery. Later on, activists dump molasses over the gallery's steps during a party intended to celebrate ten years of BP sponsorship. Wednesday, June 30 Tall waves, created as a result of Hurricane Alex, halt clean-up efforts.

2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Timeline (part 2 of 2): Saturday, May 29 40 days into the spill, the "top kill" method is abandoned because the mixture cannot overpower the pressure of the oil spilling from the leak. June Tuesday, June 1 Outrage ensues when Tony Hayward says, "I'd like my life back." BP shares plunge about 17%, losing $23 billion in market value; BP stock lost about $67 billion over the six weeks since the explosion. The U.S. Justice Department launches a criminal investigation into the initial explosion and the ensuing spill. Fishing restrictions increase to 37% of federal waters in the Gulf. Thursday, June 3 Technicians cut a riser pipe nearly one-mile under the surface and plan to then dome the leak and siphon the oil to a tank on the surface. As a result, the rate of flow increased by 20% beause the oil has less distance to travel to leak. Friday, June 4 President Obama cancels his trip to Australia, Indonesia, and Guam to make his third trip to the Gulf Coast. He voices his outrage at BP for spending millions of dollars on television advertisements. Saturday, June 12 President Obama speaks with British Prime Minister David Cameron about BP oil spill. The U.S. Coast Guard orders BP engineers to increase the rate of containment of the spewing oil; the consequences for failing to do so are not outlined, however. Sunday, June 13 BP officials state that the containment cap captured 15,000 barrels of oil on the previous day, bringing the total number of barrels captured by the device to 119,000. Monday, June 14 President Obama visits the Gulf for the fourth time in eight weeks. Congress and the Obama administration demand that BP halt paying dividends to its shareholders in order to ensure that the company will have money to pay for damages. BP says it will be able to siphon 40,000 to 53,000 barrels a day by the end of June. Tuesday, June 15 Oil executives are summoned to Congress to testify about the safety of offshore drilling and share their response plans for another such disaster. Leak estimates are increased to 60,000 barrels per day; this means 2.5 million barrels a day are spilling into the Gulf. At this rate, the amount of the ExxonValdezspill is reproduced every four days. That night, President Obama delivers a speech about the oil spill from the Oval Office. The speech, his first from the Oval Office, is watched by 32 million viewers. Wednesday, June 16 President Obama meets with top executives and lawyers of BP at the White House. He later announces that BP agreed to create a $20 billion fund to pay claims and damages. The fund will be run by Kenneth R. Feinberg, who oversaw the compensation for victims of Sept. 11. Thursday, June 17 Tony Hayward testifies before Congress. The U.S. Coast Guard reports that containment devices should be able to capture 53,000 barrels per day by the end of June. In the future, the collection of 60,000 to 80,000 barrels a day may take place with the successful implementation of a new, multi-hose well cap. BP recovers 25,290 barrels of oil, the most it has recovered in a single day. Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas) apologizes to BP for being forced by the Obama administration to create a $20 billion fund, calling it a "shakedown." Under pressure, he later apologizes for his apology. Friday, June 18 Tony Hayward steps away from BP's response efforts and passes the responsibilities to Robert Dudley, the managing director of BP. Hayward still remains the CEO of BP. The Center for Biological Diversity files a lawsuit against BP, seeking monetary penalties for the disaster under the Clean Water Act. The Center calculates that BP's liability will be around $19 billion, assuming the spill continues into August. Saturday, June 19 Anadarko Petroleum, which owns a quarter of the well, denies any responsibility for the disaster. CEO Jim Hackett blames BP for "gross negligence." Sunday, June 20 Photos of Hayward with his son as a yacht race make their way into the US media and cause frenzy throughout the country. Tuesday, June 22 American Bob Dudley assumes control of the spill from Hayward at a major oil industry conference; Hayward is not present. Chief of staff Steve Westwell delivers a speech on Hayward's behalf and is disrupted as two Greenpeace protesters assume the stage. Wednesday, June 23 An underwater robot bumps into the wellhead cap which results in oil gushing unhindered for several hours. Friday, June 25 BP announces the cost of containing and cleaning the oil spill reaches $2.35 billion. Monday, June 28 The Guardian, a widely circulated British newspaper, publishes a protest letter signed by 171 critics, writers, and artists about BP's financial ties to the Tate Britain gallery. Later on, activists dump molasses over the gallery's steps during a party intended to celebrate ten years of BP sponsorship. Wednesday, June 30 Tall waves, created as a result of Hurricane Alex, halt clean-up efforts.

2010 Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill Timeline (part 1 of 2): The following timeline includes the major developments related to the 2010 Gulf of Mexico oil spill. The circumstances surrounding the spill, the amount of oil spilled, and the attendant environmental damage are also given. April Tuesday, April 20 Located about 50 miles southeast of the Louisiana coast, British Petroleum's (BP)Deepwater Horizonoil rig explodes around 11 p.m. EST. As many as 15 crew members are reported missing; 98 workers escape without serious injury. Thursday, April 22 The search continues for 11 confirmed missing workers.Deepwater Horizoncontinues to burn. A 30-mile-long plume of smoke emanates from the rig. Effects of the explosion may have been worse if the rig had been in production rather than in exploration mode. The rig later sinks into the ocean. Sunday, April 25 The Coast Guard allows the use of remote underwater robots to activate a blowout preventer to stop the leak. Monday, April 26 Rescue efforts for missing crew members are suspended. Underwater robots discover two leaks that are dumping about 1,000 barrels of oil per day into the ocean. Speculation about the environmental, financial, and personal impact of the oil spill (or more accurately described, oil leak) raises wide concern. Wednesday, April 28 Experts are stumped about how to stop the leaks and effectively clean up the oil already in the ocean. The U.S. Coast Guard suggests a solution to set the oil slick on fire; a contained area is set on fire later in the day. Experts revised their leak rates from 1,000 barrels of oil per day to 5,000. It is confirmed that the oil slick has reached the Mississippi Delta. Thursday, April 29 President Obama pledges all available resources to contain the spill. He also says that BP will be held responsible for the cleanup. Friday, April 30 The Obama administration states that it will not authorize any new offshore drilling until the cause of the rig explosion is fully understood and measures to prevent another such disaster are put in place. BP CEO Tony Hayward says that BP takes full responsibility for the spill and will pay for the cleanup and all legitimate claims. May Saturday, May 1 The leak rate is revised further to 25,000 barrels per day from the previous estimate of 5,000. Sunday, May 2 President Obama visits the Gulf Coast to see the results of the cleanup. BP begins to dig a relief well alongside the failed well, but the project will take several weeks—perhaps months—to complete. A 10-day ban on fishing in affected areas is put into place. Monday, May 3 The oil slick appears to be drifting toward the Alabama and Florida coasts. BP tries to stop one of the leaks by installing a shutoff valve. Tuesday, May 4 News reports reveal that BP had a handful of options to prevent the disaster but did not implement all of them. Aside from a $500,000 acoustic cut-off switch, a deep-water valve could have been placed under the sea floor as another measure to seal any potential leaks. The relaxing of U.S. regulation in recent years allowed BP save money by not employing such preventative measures. Wednesday, May 5 BP succeeds in plugging one of three leaks in the oil line. It plans to lower a 100-ton containment dome over one of the remaining leaks to siphon the oil. Though the leak is plugged, it fails to affect the amount of oil spilling out. Friday, May 7 The containment dome fails. Later, it is speculated that BP may have been able to seal the leak rather than trying to siphon the oil from the leak into a nearby tank. The dome failed due to frozen materials clogging the device. The Fishing ban is extended and expanded. Sunday, May 9 BP reveals a "junk shot" plan that includes plugging the leak by pumping golf balls and shredded tires into the oil well. Tuesday, May 11—Wednesday, May 12 Executives from BP, Transocean, which owns the oil rig, and Halliburton, the company contracted to cement to well, appear at congressional hearings in Washington. Each executive blames the other companies for the disaster and concedes that many errors led to the explosion. Friday, May 14 BP attempts to intubate the bigger of the two oil leaks with a smaller pipe to siphon the oil. President Obama lambasts the involved companies for trying to dodge blame for the disaster. Sunday, May 16 The intubation of the leak succeeds, but it fails to capture a significant amount of oil. Tuesday, May 18 The no-fishing zone is extended to 19% of waters in the Gulf of Louisiana. Monday, May 24 BP further delays a method to clog the well and thus prevent further leaks. The method is called "top kill." Wednesday, May 26 "Top kill" is attempted and seems to succeed—a mixture of cement and mud is pumped into the leak 5,000 feet below the surface in order to clog the well. Friday, May 28 President Obama returns to the Louisiana Gulf for his second visit. Tony Hayward says that the disaster has cost BP $930 million.

Railroad Accidents (part 2 of 2): 1989 Jan. 15, Maizdi Khan, Bangladesh:train carrying Muslim pilgrims crashed head-on with a mail train, killing at least 110 people and injuring as many as 1,000. Many people were riding on the roof of the trains and between the cars. June 3, Ural Mountains:gas exploded beneath 2 trains, killing 575. Aug. 10, nr. Los Mochis, Mexico:a passenger train traveling from Mazatlán to Mexicali plunged off a bridge at Puente del Rio Bamoa, killing an estimated 85 people and injuring 107. 1990 Jan. 4, Sangi village, Sindh province, Pakistan:overcrowded 16-car passenger train rammed into a standing freight train. At least 210 people were killed and 700 were believed injured in what is said to be Pakistan's worst train disaster. 1993 Sept. 22, nr. Mobile, Ala.:Amtrak'sSunset Limited,en route to Miami, jumped rails on weakened bridge and plunged into Big Bayou Canot, killing 47 people. 1995 Aug. 20, Firozabad, northern India:a speeding passenger train rammed another train that was stalled, killing 358. 1997 March 3, Punjab province, Pakistan:passenger train crashed due to failed brakes, killing 119 and injuring at least 80 people. 1998 June 3, nr. Eschede, Germany:Inter City Express passenger train traveling at 125 mph crashed into support pier of overpass, killing 98. It is nation's worst train accident since WWII.Crash may have been caused by a defective wheel. 1999 Aug. 2, Calcutta, India:2 trains collided north of Calcutta, killing at least 285. Oct. 5, London:outbound Thames commuter train passed a red signal near Paddington Station and collided with London-bound Great Western express, killing 31 people and injuring 245. 2002 Feb. 20, nr. Ayyat, Egypt:361 killed in fire after gas cylinder used for cooking exploded aboard crowded passenger train. Egypt's worst train disaster. May 25, Muamba, Mozambique:192 died and dozens more injured when passenger cars rolled for several miles at top speed into freight cars from which they had been disconnected because of mechanical problems. June 24, nr. Msagali, central Tanzania:runaway passenger train collided with freight train on same track, leaving 200 dead. 2004 Feb. 18, Neishabour, Iran:runaway rail cars, loaded with fertilizer, petrol, and sulfur products, rolled 31 mi down the rails, caught fire, and exploded, killing more than 320 and devastating 5 villages. Mar, 11, Madrid, Spain:Spain's most horrific terrorist attack: 191 people were killed and 1,400 were injured in bombings at Madrid's railway station. A Moroccan affiliate of al-Qaeda claimed responsibility. April 22, Ryongchon, North Korea:2 trains carrying flammable liquids collided, causing a huge explosion near the Chinese border, killing at least 161 and injuring more than 1,300. 2005 April 25, Osaka, Japan:commuter train derailed and hit an apartment building near Osaka, killing at least 107 and injuring 460. It was the worst Japanese train accident since 1963. The accident was allegedly caused by the driver trying to get the train back on schedule. July 13, Ghotki, Pakistan:3 trains collided near Ghotki as the Karachi Express driver misread a signal and rammed the Quetta Express. Derailed carriages were then hit by a third train. At least 133 are killed. 2006 Jan. 23, Bioce, Montenegro:a train derailed and plunged into the Moraca canyon, killing 46 and injuring 19. July 11, Mumbai, India:a series of bombs exploded on commuter trains in Mumbai during the evening rush hour, killing at least 200 people. 2007 Aug. 1, Benaleka, Congo:a passenger train running between Ilebo and Kananga derailed after the brakes failed, killing about 100 people. Dec. 19, Mehrabpurp, Pakistan:a crowded passenger train derailed, killing at least 45 people and injuring over 100 more. 2008 April 28, China:a passenger train running from Beijing to Qingdao city derailed, killing 70 people and injuring more than 400 others. Aug. 8, Czech Republic:a passenger train running from Krakow to Prague crashed into a collapsed bridge, killing six people and injuring about 100 others. Sept. 12, California:a metrolink commuter train collided with a freight train northwest of Los Angeles, killing 25 passengers. 2009 June 22, Washington D.C.:nine people died and over 70 more were injured when a subway train crashed at rush hour. June 30, Italy:a freight train that was traveling from La Spezia to Pisa derailed and crashed into a small Italian town, killing 12 people and injuring at least 50 more. Nov. 27, Russia:26 people are killed when a bomb explodes on a luxury train that runs from Moscow to St. Petersburg. Chechen rebels claim responsibility for the attack.. 2010 March 29, Russia:thirty-eight people are killed after two female suicide bombers enter the Moscow Metro. May 28, India:a passenger train derails in West Bengal to avoid damage on the railway track, hits an oncoming train filled with goods and 148 people are killed.

Railroad Accidents (part 1 of 2): While trains are convenient for travel and for transporting goods, they have become a greater danger over the years as their speed has increased. Sometimes railroad accidents are caused by human error, but other causes include derailment, explosions on board, and bridge collapses. NOTE:Very few passengers were killed in a single U.S. train wreck up until 1853. The early trains ran slowly and made short trips, night travel was rare, and there were not many of them in operation. 1831 June 17, nr. Charleston, S.C.:boiler exploded on America's first passenger locomotive,The Best Friend of Charleston,injuring the fireman and the engineer. 1833 Nov. 8, nr. Heightstown, N.J.:world's first train wreck and first passenger fatalities recorded. A 24-passenger Camden & Amboy train derailed due to a broken axle, killing 2 passengers and injuring all others. Former president John Quincy Adams and Cornelius Vanderbilt, who later made a fortune in railroads, were aboard. 1853 May 6, Norwalk, Conn.:New Haven Railroad train ran through an open drawbridge and plunged into the Norwalk River. 46 passengers were crushed to death or drowned. This was the first major drawbridge accident. 1856 July 17, Camp Hill, nr. Ft. Washington, Pa.:2 Northern Penn trains crashed head-on. Approximately 50–60 people died, mostly children on their way to a Sunday school picnic. 1876 Dec. 29, Ashtabula, Ohio:Lake Shore train fell into the Ashtabula River when the bridge it was crossing collapsedduring a snowstorm; 92 people were killed. 1887 Aug. 10, nr. Chatsworth, Ill.:a burning railroad trestle collapsed while a Toledo, Peoria & Western train was crossing, killing 81 and injuring 372. 1904 Aug. 7, Eden, Colo.:train derailed on bridge during flash flood; 96 killed. 1910 March 1, Wellington, Wash.:2 trains swept into canyon by avalanche; 96 dead. 1915 May 22, Quintinshill, Scotland:2 passenger trains and troop train collided at Quintinshill near Gretna Green; 227 killed. 1917 Dec. 12, Modane, France:nearly 550 killed in derailment of troop train near mouth of Mt. Cenis tunnel. 1918 July 9, Nashville, Tenn.:101 killed in a 2-train collision near Nashville. Nov. 1, New York City:derailment of subway train in Malbone St. tunnel in Brooklyn left 92 dead. 1926 March 14, Virilla River Canyon, Costa Rica:an overcrowded train carrying pilgrims derailed while crossing the Colima Bridge, killing over 300 people and injuring hundreds more. 1939 Dec. 22, nr. Magdeburg, Germany:more than 125 killed in collision; 99 killed in another wreck near Friedrichshafen. 1943 Dec. 16, nr. Rennert, N.C.:72 killed in derailment and collision of 2 Atlantic Coast Line trains. 1944 March 2, nr. Salerno, Italy:521 suffocated when Italian train stalled in tunnel. 1949 Oct. 22, nr. Nowy Dwor, Poland:more than 200 reported killed in derailment of Danzig-Warsaw express. 1950 Nov. 22, Richmond Hill, N.Y.:79 died when one Long Island Railroad commuter train crashed into rear of another. 1951 Feb. 6, Woodbridge, N.J.:85 died when Pennsylvania Railroad commuter train plunged through temporary overpass. 1952 Oct. 8, Harrow-Wealdstone, England:2 express trains crashed into commuter train; 112 dead. 1957 Sept. 1, nr. Kendal, Jamaica:about 175 killed when train plunged into ravine. Sept. 29, nr. Montgomery, West Pakistan:express train crashed into standing oil train; nearly 300 killed. Dec. 4, St. John's, England:92 killed and 187 injured as one commuter train crashed into another in fog. 1960 Nov. 14, Pardubice, Czechoslovakia:2 trains collided; 110 dead, 106 injured. 1962 May 3, nr. Tokyo:163 killed and 400 injured when train crashed into wreckage of collision between inbound freight train and outbound commuter train. 1963 Nov. 9, nr. Yokohama, Japan:2 passenger trains crashed into derailed freight train, killing 162. 1964 July 26, Custoias, Portugal:passenger train derailed; 94 dead. 1970 Feb. 4, nr. Buenos Aires:236 killed when express train crashed into standing commuter train. 1972 July 21, Seville, Spain:head-on crash of two passenger trains killed 76. 1972 Oct. 6, nr. Saltillo, Mexico:train carrying religious pilgrims derailed and caught fire, killing 204 and injuring over 1,000. Oct. 30, Chicago:2 Illinois Central commuter trains collided during morning rush hour; 45 dead and over 200 injured. 1974 Aug. 30, Zagreb, Yugoslavia:train entering station derailed, killing 153 and injuring over 60. 1981 June 6, nr. Mansi, India:driver of train carrying over 500 passengers braked to avoid hitting a cow, causing train to plunge off a bridge into the Baghmati River; 268 passengers were reported killed, but at least 300 more were missing. 1982 July 11, Tepic, Mexico:Nogales-Guadalajara train plunged down mountain gorge, killing 120.

Space Accidents 1967 Jan. 27,Apollo 1:a fire aboard the space capsule on the ground at Cape Kennedy, Fla., killed astronauts Virgil I. Grissom, Edward H. White, and Roger Chaffee. April 23–24,Soyuz 1:Vladimir M. Komarov was killed when his craft crashed after its parachute lines, released at 23,000 ft for reentry, became snarled. 1971 June 6–30,Soyuz 11:3 cosmonauts, Georgi T. Dolrovolsky, Vladislav N. Volkov, and Viktor I. Patsayev, found dead in the craft after its automatic landing. Apparent cause of death was loss of pressurization in the space craft during reentry into Earth's atmosphere. 1980 March 18, USSR:a Vostok rocket exploded on its launch pad while being refueled, killing 50 at the Plesetsk Space Center. 1986 Jan. 28,ChallengerSpace Shuttle:exploded 73 seconds after liftoff, killing all 7 crew members. They were: Francis R. Scobee, Michael J. Smith, Judith A. Resnik, Ronald E. McNair, Ellison S. Onizuka, Gregory B. Jarvis, and schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe. A booster leak ignited the fuel, causing the explosion. 2003 Feb. 1,ColumbiaSpace Shuttle:broke up on reentering Earth's atmosphere on its way to Kennedy Space Center, killing all 7 crew members. They were: Rick D. Husband, William C. McCool, Michael P. Anderson, David M. Brown, Kalpana Chawla, Laurel Clark, and the first Israeli astronaut, Ilan Ramon. Foam insulation fell from the shuttle during launch, damaging the left wing. On reentry, hot gases entered the wing, leading to the disintegration of the shuttle. See also Space Shuttle Timelineand Profiles of the Columbia Astronauts

Aircraft Crashes (part 2 of 2): 1976 Sept. 10, Zagreb, Yugoslavia:midair collision between British Airways Trident and Yugoslav charter DC-9 fatal to all 176 people aboard. Sept. 19, Karatepe, Turkey:Turkish Airlines 727 crashes into mountainous terrain killing 154 people. 1977 March 27, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands:Pan American and KLM Boeing 747s collided on runway. All 249 on KLM plane and 333 of 394 aboard Pan Am jet killed. Total of 582 is highest for any type of aviation disaster. 1978 Jan. 1, Bombay:Air India 747 with 213 aboard exploded and plunged into sea minutes after takeoff. Sept. 25, San Diego, Calif.:Pacific Southwest plane collided in midair with Cessna. All 135 on airliner, 2 in Cessna, and 7 on ground killed for total of 144. Nov. 15, Colombo, Sri Lanka:chartered Icelandic Airlines DC-8, carrying 249 Muslim pilgrims from Mecca, crashed in thunderstorm during landing approach; 183 killed. 1979 May 25, Chicago:American Airlines DC-10 lost left engine upon takeoff and crashed seconds later, killing all 272 people aboard and 3 on the ground in worst U.S. air disaster. Nov. 26, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:Pakistan International Airlines 707 carrying pilgrims returning from Mecca crashed on takeoff; all 156 aboard killed. Nov. 28, Mt. Erebus, Antarctica:Air New Zealand DC-10 crashed on sightseeing flight; 257 killed. 1980 Aug. 19, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia:all 301 aboard Saudi Arabian jet killed when burning plane made safe landing but passengers were unable to escape. 1981 Dec. 1, Ajaccio, Corsica:Yugoslav DC-9 Super 80 carrying tourists crashed into mountain on landing approach, killing all 178 aboard. 1983 June 28, near Cuenca, Ecuador:Ecuadorian jetliner crashed in mountains, killing 119. Aug. 30, nr. island of Sakhalin off Siberia:Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 shot down by Soviet fighter after it strayed off course into Soviet airspace. All 269 aboard killed. Secret Soviet documents released in Oct. 1992 reveal that the plane was flying a straight course for two hours with its navigational lights on and did not take evasive action. Crew was unaware of its location and never saw the Soviet fighter that downed them. The Soviet fighter did not give a warning by firing tracer bullets as originally claimed. Nov. 27, Madrid:Colombian Avianca Boeing 747 crashed near Mejorada del Campó Airport, killing 181 people aboard. Eleven people survived. 1985 June 23, Atlantic Ocean:Air India 747 exploded over the ocean killing 329. The probable cause was a Sikh terrorist bomb. Aug. 12, Japan:Japan Air Lines Boeing 747 crashed into a mountain, killing 520 of the 524 aboard. Highest death toll in a single-plane crash in aviation history. Dec. 12, Gander, Newfoundland:a chartered Arrow Air DC-8 bringing American soldiers home for Christmas crashed on takeoff. All 256 aboard died. 1987 May 9, Poland:Polish airliner Ilyushin 62M, on charter flight to N.Y., crashed after takeoff from Warsaw, killing 183. Aug. 16, Romulus, Mich.:Northwest Airlines McDonnell Douglas MD-80 crashed into a highway shortly after takeoff from Detroit Metropolitan Airport, killing 156 (including 2 on the ground). Girl, 4, only survivor. Nov. 26, south of Mauritius:South African Airways Boeing 747 went down in rough seas; 160 died. Nov. 29, Burma:Korean Air Boeing 747 jetliner exploded from bomb planted by North Korean agents and crashed into sea, killing all 115 aboard. 1988 July 3, Persian Gulf:U.S. Navy cruiserVincennesshot down Iran Air Airbus A-300 after mistaking it for an attacking jet fighter; 290 killed. Aug. 28, Ramstein Air Force Base, West Germany:3 jets from Italian Air Force acrobatic team collided in midair during air show and crashed, killing 70 people, including the pilots and spectators on the ground. Dec. 21, Lockerbie, Scotland:N.Y.-bound Pan-Am Boeing 747 exploded in flight from a terrorist bomb and crashed into Scottish village, killing all 259 aboard and 11 on the ground.See Terrorist Attacks. 1989 June 7, Paramaribo, Suriname:a Surinam Airways DC-8 carrying 174 passengers crashed into the jungle while making a third attempt to land in a thick fog, killing 168 aboard. July 19, Sioux City, Iowa:United Airlines DC-10 crashed during an emergency landing. Out of a total of 296 aboard, 111 were killed, 172 were injured, and 13 escaped unharmed. 1991 May 26, nr. Bangkok, Thailand:Austrian Lauda Air Boeing 767, en route to Vienna, crashed into jungle hilltop shortly after takeoff from Bangkok airport, killing all 223 aboard. Thailand's worst air disaster. July 11, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia:Canadian-chartered DC-8 carrying pilgrims returning to Nigeria crashed after takeoff, killing 261 people. 1994 Jan. 3, Irkutsk, Russia:Russian Tupolev-154 crashes after taking off, killing all 124 people. April 14, northern Iraq:two American F-15C fighter aircraft mistook two U.S. Army blackhawk helicopters for Russian-made Iraqi MI-24 helicopters and shot them down over no-fly zone, killing all 26 on board.

Aircraft Crashes (part 1 of 2): Find a list of the worst aircraft crashes in the world, including theHindenburgdisaster and the Sept 11, 2001, attacks. (See also Terrorist Attacks.) 1921 Aug. 24, England:British dirigibleAR-2broke in two on trial trip near Hull; 62 died. 1925 Sept. 3, Caldwell, Ohio:U.S. dirigibleShenandoahbroke apart; 14 dead. 1930 Oct. 5, Beauvais, France:British dirigibleR 101crashed, killing 47. 1933 April 4, N.J.:U.S. dirigibleAkroncrashed; 73 died. 1937 May 6, Lakehurst, N.J.:German zeppelin Hindenburgdestroyed by fire at tower mooring; 36 killed. 1945 July 28, New York City:U.S. Army bomber B-25 crashed into Empire State Building; 13 dead. 1953 June 18, near Tokyo:Crash of U.S. Air Force C-124 Globemaster killed 129 servicemen. 1956 June 30, Grand Canyon, Ariz.:TWA Super Constellation and United Airlines DC-7 collided over the Painted Desert, killing a total of 128 passengers and crew from both aircraft. 1960 Dec. 16, New York City:United DC-8 and Trans World Super Constellation collided and crashed, killing 134 in air and on ground. 1961 Feb. 15, nr. Brussels, Belgium:72 on board and farmer on ground killed in crash of Sabena plane; U.S. figure skating team wiped out. 1962 March 4, Douala, Cameroon:Trans-African DC-7 crashed on takeoff, killing all 111 people aboard. June 3, Paris:Chartered Air France Boeing 707 crashed after takeoff at Orly Airport, killing 130. June 22, Grande-Teree Island, Guadeloupe:Air France Boeing 707 crashed, killing all 113 aboard. 1963 Nov. 29, Montreal:Trans-Canada Airlines DC-8F crashed after taking off. All 118 aboard died. 1965 May 20, Cairo:Pakistan International Airways 707 crashed on landing at airport; 124 killed. 1966 Jan. 24, Mont Blanc:Air India Boeing 707 crashed into a mountain in a fog; 117 dead. Feb. 4, Tokyo:All-Nippon 727 jet crashed into Tokyo Bay as it approached airport, killing all 133 aboard. March 5, near Gotemba City, Japan:BOAC Boeing 707 broke apart in flight and crashed into Mount Fuji; 124 dead. Dec. 24, Binh Thai, South Vietnam:crash of military-chartered CL-44 into village killed 129. 1967 April 20, Nicosia, Cyprus:Chartered Swiss Globe Britannia Turboprop crashed while landing, killing 126. 1970 Feb. 15, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic:Dominican DC-9 plunged into Caribbean on takeoff; 102 dead. July 3, near Barcelona, Spain:British charter Dan-Air Comet jet crashed into the sea while coming in for a landing at Barcelona; 112 dead. July 5, Toronto:Air Canada DC-8 crashed on landing approach; 109 dead. Nov. 14, Huntington, W.Va.:Chartered Southern Airways DC-9 crashed and burned on approach to Tri-State Airport; 75 dead, including entire Marshall University football team. 1971 July 30, Morioka, Japan:Japanese Boeing 727 and F-86 fighter collided in midair; 162 died. Sept. 4, near Juneau, Alaska:Alaskan Airlines Boeing 727 crashed into Chilkoot Mountains; 109 killed. 1972 May 5, Palermo, Sicily:Alitalia DC-8 hit mountain, killing 115. June 18, London:BEA Trident jetliner crashed after takeoff from Heathrow Airport. All 118 aboard were killed. Aug. 14, East Berlin, East Germany:Soviet-built East German Ilyushin Il-62 plane crashed, killing 156. Oct. 13, Moscow, Russia:Aeroflot Ilyushin IL-14 crashed during landing due to pilot fatigue and 176 people perish. Dec. 3, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands:Spanish charter jet Convair 990-A jet carrying West German tourists crashed on takeoff; all 155 aboard killed. Dec. 30, Miami, Fla.:Eastern Airlines Lockheed 1011 TriStar jumbo jet, Flight 401, crashed into Everglades; 101 killed, 75 survived. 1973 Jan. 22, Kano, Nigeria:171 Nigerian Muslims returning from Mecca and 5 crewmen died in crash. Feb. 21, Sinai:civilian Libyan Arab Airlines Boeing 727 shot down by Israeli fighters after it had strayed off course; 108 died, 5 survived. Officials claimed that the pilot had ignored fighters' warnings to land. April 10, Hochwald, Switzerland:British airliner carrying tourists to Swiss fair crashed in blizzard; 106 dead. July 11, Paris:Boeing 707 of Varig Airlines, en route to Rio de Janeiro, crashed near airport, killing 122 of 134 passengers. 1974 March 3, Paris:Turkish DC-10 jumbo jet crashed in forest shortly after takeoff; all 346 killed. Dec. 4, Colombo, Sri Lanka:Dutch DC-8 carrying Muslims to Meccakilled all 191 when it crashed on landing approach. 1975 April 4, nr. Saigon, Vietnam:Air Force Galaxy C-5A crashed after takeoff, killing 172, mostly Vietnamese children. Aug. 3, Agadir, Morocco:chartered Boeing 707, returning Moroccan workers home after vacation in France, plunged into mountainside; all 188 killed.

Fires and Explosions Worst U.S. Forest Fires Whether you're talking about forest fires or kitchen fires, factory explosions or arson, when fires get out of control, the damage can be devastating. 1666 Sept. 2, England:“Great Fire of London” destroyed much of the city, including St. Paul's Cathedral. Damage £10 million. 1835 Dec. 16, New York City:530 buildings destroyed by fire. 1871 Oct. 8, Chicago:the “Chicago Fire” burned 17,450 buildings and killed 250 people; $196 million in damage. 1872 Nov. 9, Boston:fire destroyed 800 buildings; $75 million in damage. 1876 Dec. 5, New York City:fire in Brooklyn Theater killed more than 300. 1881 Dec. 8, Vienna:at least 620 died in fire at Ring Theatre. 1900 May 1, Scofield, Utah:explosion of blasting powder in coal mine killed 200. 1900 June 30, Hoboken, N.J.:piers of North German Lloyd Steamship line burned; 326 dead. 1903 Dec. 30, Chicago:Iroquois Theatre fire killed 602. 1904 Feb. 7, Baltimore, Md.:blaze spread through downtown Baltimore. More than 1,500 buildings were destroyed. Damages $150 million, but no lives lost June 15, New York City, NY:the steamship ferryGeneral Slocumignited on a voyage to Long Island; over 1,000 dead. 1906 March 10, France:explosion in coal mine in Courrières killed 1,060. 1907 Dec. 6, Monongah, W. Va.:coal mine explosion killed 362. Dec. 19, Jacobs Creek, Pa.:explosion in coal mine left 239 dead. 1908 Jan. 13, Boyertown, Pa.:fire in Rhoads Opera House killed 170 people who were attending church-sponsored stage performance. March 4, Collinwood, Ohio:fire in Collinwood school killed 176. Led to revision of fire codes for schools. 1909 Nov. 13, Cherry, Ill.:explosion in coal mine killed 259. 1911 March 25, New York City:fire in Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fatal to 145. 1913 Oct. 22, Dawson, N.M.:coal mine explosion left 263 dead. 1917 April 10, Eddystone, Pa.:explosion in munitions plant killed 133. 1917 Dec. 6, Halifax Harbor, Nova Scotia:Belgian steamer collided with ammunition shipMont Blanc, which was carrying over 2,500 tons of explosives. Explosion leveled part of Halifaxand left about 1,600 people dead. 1921 Sept. 21, Oppau, Germany:ammonium nitrate exploded destroying the BASF plant and nearby houses, killing 430 people. 1923 May 17, Beulah, S.C.:fire started by a candle during a Cleveland school play killed 77. 1928 May 19, Mather, Pa.:coal mine explosion left 195 dead. 1930 April 21, Columbus, Ohio:fire in Ohio State Penitentiary killed 320 convicts. 1937 March 18, New London, Tex.:explosion de-stroyed schoolhouse; 294 killed. 1940 April 23, Natchez, Mississippi:209 die when a packed dance hall erupts in flames during a performance by Walter Barnes and His Royal Creolians Orchestra. The blaze is fueled by decorative Spanish moss covering the building's rafters, which generated flammable methane gas once burned. Among those to perish were Barnes and nine members of his band. 1942 April 26, Manchuria:explosion in Honkeiko Colliery killed 1,549. Nov. 28, Boston, Mass.:Coconut Grove nightclub fire killed 491. 1944 July 6, Hartford, Conn.:fire and ensuing stampede in main tent of Ringling Brothers Circus killed 168 and injured 487. July 17, Port Chicago, Calif.:322 killed when ammunition ships exploded. Oct. 20, Cleveland:spilled liquid natural gas exploded, killing 130. 1946 Dec. 7, Atlanta:fire in Winecoff Hotel killed 119. 1947 April 16–18, Texas City, Tex.:most of the city destroyed by a fire and subsequent explosion on the French freighterGrandcamp, which was carrying a cargo of ammonium nitrate. At least 516 were killed and over 3,000 injured. 1949 Sept. 2, China:fire on Chongqing(Chungking) waterfront killed 1,700. 1954 May 26, off Quonset Point, R.I.:explosion and fire on aircraft carrierBenningtonkilled 103. 1956 Aug. 7, Colombia:seven army ammunition trucks exploded at Cali, killing about 1,100. Aug. 8, Belgium:262 died in coal mine fire at Marcinelle. 1958 Dec. 1, Chicago:fire at Our Lady of Angels, a Roman Catholic grade school, resulted in deaths of 90 students and 3 nuns. 1960 Jan. 21, Coalbrook, South Africa:coal mine explosion killed 437. Nov. 13, Syria:152 children killed in moviehouse fire. 1961 Dec. 17, Niteroi, Brazil:circus fire fatal to 323. 1962 Feb. 7, Saarland, West Germany:coal mine gas explosion killed 298. 1963 Nov. 9, Japan:explosion in coal mine at Omuta killed 447. 1965 May 28, India:coal mine fire in state of Biharkilled 375. June 1, nr. Fukuoka, Japan:coal mine explosion killed 236. 1967 May 22, Brussels, Belgium:fire in L'Innovation department store left 322 dead. July 29, off North Vietnam:fire on U.S. carrierForrestalkilled 134. 1969 Jan. 14, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii:nuclear aircraft carrierEnterpriseripped by explosions; 27 dead, 82 injured. 1970 Nov. 1, Saint-Laurent-du-Pont, France:fire in dance hall killed 146 young people. 1972 May 13, Osaka, Japan:118 people died in fire in nightclub on top floor of Sennichi department store.

Nuclear and Chemical Accidents Though nuclear power is a good source of energy and is generally not a threat, there have been instances when security measures have failed. Nuclear meltdowns can cause dangerous radiation to escape into the surrounding environment. 1952 Dec. 12, Chalk River, nr. Ottawa, Canada:a partial meltdown of the reactor's uranium fuel core resulted after the accidental removal of four control rods. Although millions of gallons of radioactive water accumulated inside the reactor, there were no injuries. 1953 Love Canal, nr. Niagara Falls, N.Y.:was destroyed by waste from chemical plants. By the 1990s, the town had been cleaned up enough for families to begin moving back to the area. 1957 Oct. 7, Windscale Pile No. 1, north of Liverpool, England:fire in a graphite-cooled reactor spewed radiation over the countryside, contaminating a 200-square-mile area. South Ural Mountains:explosion of radioactive wastes at Soviet nuclear weapons factory 12 mi from city of Kyshtym forced the evacuation of over 10,000 people from a contaminated area. No casualties were reported by Soviet officials. 1976 nr. Greifswald, East Germany:radioactive core of reactor in the Lubmin nuclear power plant nearly melted down due to the failure of safety systems during a fire. 1979 March 28, Three Mile Island, nr. Harrisburg, Pa.:one of two reactors lost its coolant, which caused overheating and partial meltdown of its uranium core. Some radioactive water and gases were released. This was the worst accident in U.S. nuclear-reactor history. 1984 Dec. 3, Bhopal, India:toxic gas, methyl isocyanate, seeped from Union Carbide insecticide plant, killing more than 2,000 and injuring about 150,000. 1986 April 26, Chernobyl, nr. Kiev, Ukraine:explosion and fire in the graphite core of one of four reactors released radioactive material that spread over part of the Soviet Union, eastern Europe, Scandinavia, and later western Europe. 31 claimed dead. Total casualties are unknown. Worst such accident to date. 1987 Sept. 18, Goiânia, Brazil:244 people contaminated with cesium-137 from a cancer-therapy machine that had been sold as scrap. Four people died in worst radiation disaster in Western Hemisphere. 1999 Sept. 30, Tokaimura, Japan:uncontrolled chain reaction in a uranium-processing nuclear fuel plant spewed high levels of radioactive gas into the air, killing two workers and seriously injuring one other. 2004 Aug. 9, Mihama, Japan:nonradioactive steam leaked from a nuclear power plant, killing four workers and severely burning seven others. 2007 July 17, Kashiwazaki, Japan:radiation leaks, burst pipes, and fires at a major nuclear power plant followed a 6.8 magnitude earthquake near Niigata. Japanese officials, frustrated at the plant operators' delay in reporting the damage, closed the plant a week later until its safety could be confirmed. Further investigation revealed that the plant had unknowingly been built directly on top of an active seismic fault. 2008 February 7, Port Wentworth, Georgia:an explosion fueled by combustible sugar dust killed 13 people and injured several others at the Imperial Sugar plant near Savannah. 2011 March 12, Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station, Japan:an explosion in reactor No. 1 caused one of the buildings to crumble to the ground. The cooling system at the reactor failed shortly after the earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. By Tuesday, March 15, two more explosions and a fire had officials and workers at the plant struggling to regain control of four reactors. The fire, which happened at reactor No. 4, was contained by noon on Tuesday, but not before the incident released radioactivity directly into the atmosphere.

Droughts and Heat Waves 1930s Many states:longest drought of the 20th century. Peak periods were 1930, 1934, 1936, 1939, and 1940. During 1934, dry regions stretched solidly from N.Y. and Pa. across the Great Plains to the Calif. coast. A great “dust bowl” covered some 50 million acres in the south-central plains during the winter of 1935–1936. 1955 Aug. 31–Sept. 7, Los Angeles:8-day run of 100°-plus heat left 946 people dead. 1972 July 14–26, New York City:891 people died in 14-day heat wave. 1980 June–Sept., central and eastern U.S.:an estimated 10,000 people were killed during the summer in a long heat wave and drought. Damages totaled about $20 billion. 1982–1983 worldwide:El Niño caused wildly unusual weather in the U.S. and elsewhere throughout 1983. Drought in the western Pacific region led to disastrous forest fires in Indonesia and Australia. Overall loss to world economy was over $8 billion. Similar event in 1997–1998 resulted in estimated loss of $25–$33 billion. 1988 Summer, central and eastern U.S.:a severe drought and heat wave killed an estimated 5,000–10,000 people, including heat stress-related deaths. Damages reached $40 billion. 1995 July 12–17, Chicago:739 people died in record heat wave. 1996 Fall 1995–summer 1996, Tex. and Okla.:severe drought in southern plains region caused $4 billion in agricultural losses; no deaths. 1998 Summer, southern U.S.:severe heat and drought spread across Tex. and Okla., all the way to N.C. and S.C, killing at least 200. Estimated damages of $6–$9 billion. 1999 Summer, eastern U.S.:rainfall shortages resulted in worst drought on record for Md., Del., N.J., and R.I. The state of W.Va. was declared a disaster area. 3.81 million acres were consumed by fire as of mid-Aug. Record heat throughout the country resulted in 502 deaths nationwide. 2000 Spring–summer, southern U.S.:severe drought and heat killed an estimated 140 people. Damages were estimated at $4 billion. 2003 May–June, southern India:a monthlong intense heat wave claimed more than 1,500 lives. Aug., Europe:drought conditions and a heat wave, one of the worst in 150 years, broke temperature records from London to Portugal, fueled forest fires, ruined crops, and caused thousands of deaths. (French fatalities estimated at more than 14,000.) 2006 July 16–25, California:a two-week heat wave killed at least 140 people. 2007 August, southeastern U.S.:more than 50 deaths and innumerable cases of heat-related illneses have been attributed to the excessive heat. Drinking water sources, such as Atlanta's Lake Lanier, have also been severely depleted. 2008 June 4, California:With reservoir levels well below average and the state experiencing its driest spring in 88 years, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger officially declares that California is in a drought and warns of potential rationing. It is the first such declaration in 17 years. 2012 Spring, several states:A national drought begins in the spring of 2012 due to the lack of snow the U.S. received during the previous winter. The drought causes 123 deaths and over $40 billion in damages.

U.S. Tornadoes Find a list of the most deadly and intense tornadoes in the U.S. with casualty information. 1840 May 6, Natchez, Miss.:tornado struck heart of the city, killing 317 and injuring over 1,000. 1880 April 18, Marshfield, Mo.:series of 24 tornadoes demolished city, killing 99 people. 1884 Feb. 19, Miss., Ala., N.C., S.C., Tenn., Ky., Ind.:series of 60 tornadoes caused estimated 800 deaths. 1890 March 27, Louisville, Ky.:twister hit community and caused 76 deaths. 1896 May 27, eastern Mo. and southern Ill.:series of 18 tornadoes; 1 tornado destroyed large section of St. Louis, Mo., killing 255. 1899 June 12, New Richmond, Wis.:tornado struck while circus was in town, causing 117 deaths. 1902 May 18, Goliad, Tex.:tornado killed 114. 1903 June 1, Gainesville, Holland, Ga.:twister caused 98 deaths. 1905 May 10, Snyder, Okla.:tornado killed 97. 1908 April 24–25, La., Miss., Ala., Ga.:18 tornadoes resulted in 310 deaths (143 of these caused by 1 tornado that moved from Amite, La. to Purvis, Miss.). April 24, Natchez, Miss.:twister struck, causing 91 deaths. 1913 March 23, eastern Nebr. and western Iowa:Easter Sunday: 8 tornadoes resulted in 181 deaths (103 in Omaha, Nebr.). 1917 May 26, Mattoon, Ill.:tornado smashed area, causing 101 deaths. 1920 April 20, Starkville, Miss.; Waco, Ala.:tornado killed 88. 1924 June 28, Lorain, Sandusky, Ohio:tornado swept through cities, causing 85 deaths. 1925 March 18, Mo., Ill., Ind.:the “Tri-State Tornado” was the most violent single twister in U.S. history. It caused the deaths of 695 people and injured over 2,000. Property damage was estimated at $16.5 million. 1927 May 9, Poplar Bluff, Mo.:twister killed 98. Sept. 29, St. Louis, Mo.:a five-minute tornado ripped through the city and caused 79 deaths. 1932 March 21–22, Ala., Miss., Ga., Tenn.:outbreak of 33 tornadoes killed 334 (268 in Ala.). 1936 April 5–6, Deep South:series of 17 tornadoes; 216 killed in Tupelo, Miss., and 203 killed in Gainesville, Ga. 1944 June 23, W. Va., Pa., Md.:4 tornadoes caused 153 deaths. 1947 April 9, Woodward, Okla.:tornado demolished town, killing 181. 1952 March 21–22, Ark. and Tenn.:28 tornadoes caused 204 deaths. 1953 May 11, Waco, Tex.:a single tornado killed 114. June 8, Flint, Mich.:tornado killed 115. June 9, Worcester, Mass.:tornado hit town, killing 90. 1955 May 25, Udall, Kans.:tornado killed 80. 1965 April 11–12, Midwest–Great Lakes region:tornadoes in Iowa, Ill., Ind., Ohio, Mich., and Wis. caused 256 deaths. 1967 April 21, northern Ill., also Mo., Iowa, lower Mich.:series of 52 tornadoes caused 58 deaths. 1971 Feb. 21, Miss., La., Ark., Tenn.:series of 10 tornadoes resulted in 121 deaths. 1974 April 3–4:a series of 148 twisters within 16 hours comprised the deadly “Super Tornado Outbreak” that struck 13 states in the East, South, and Midwest. Before it was over, 330 died and 5,484 were injured in a damage path covering more than 2,500 mi. 1979 April 10, northern Tex. and southern Okla.:11 tornadoes caused 59 deaths. 1984 March 28, N.C. and S.C.:22 tornadoes caused 57 deaths. 1985 May 31, Pa. and Ohio:27 tornadoes resulted in 75 deaths. Estimated damages were $450 million. 1990 Aug. 28, northern Ill.:fast-moving tornado struck the southwest suburbs of Chicago, killing 29 and injuring more than 300. 1992 Nov. 21–23, southeast Tex. to Mid-Atlantic and Ohio Valley:total of 94 tornadoes caused 26 deaths and $291 million in damage. 1994 March 27, Ala., Ga., and N.C.:Palm Sunday tornado outbreak resulted in 42 deaths and 320 injuries. Property damages reached $107 million. Twenty people died and 90 were injured when a tornado caused the roof of a church near Piedmont, Ala., to collapse. 1997 May 27, central Tex.:multiple tornadoes, including one particularly strong twister that devastated the town of Jarrell, caused 29 deaths and an estimated $20 million in damage. 1999 Jan. 17–22, Tenn. and Ark.:a series of tornadoes left 17 dead. Damages were estimated at $1.3 billion. May 3, Okla. and Kans.:unusually large twister, thought to have been a mile wide at times, killed 44 people and injured at least 748. A separate tornado killed another 5 and injured about 150 in Kans. Damages totaled at least $1 billion. 2000 Feb. 14, southwest Ga.:at least 5 tornadoes struck southwest Ga., killing 19 people and injuring over 100. 2002 Nov. 9–11, central and southeast U.S.:series of more than 70 tornadoes across 9 states from Miss. to Pa. killed 36 people. 2003 May 1–10, southern and midwestern U.S.:more than 400 tornadoes in 10 days killed 42. 2006 March–April, plains, Tenn, and Ohio valley, U.S.:more than 500 tornadoes killed 47 people in the 2–month period. 2007 March 1, Ala., Minn., Miss., and Ga.:a series of tornados killed about 20 people, including eight high school students. May 7, Kans.:ten people died in a Category F-5 tornado that completely wiped out a small Kansas farming town.

Typhoons 1906 Sept. 18, Hong Kong:typhoon with tsunami killed an estimated 10,000 people. 1934 Sept. 21, Japan:typhoon killed more than 4,000 on Honshu. 1949 Dec. 5, off Korea:typhoon struck fishing fleet; several thousand men reported dead. 1958 Sept. 27, Honshu, Japan:“Vera” left nearly 5,000 dead and 1.5 million homeless. 1959 Aug. 20, Fukien province, China:“Iris” killed 2,334. 1960 June 9, Fukien province, China:“Mary” caused at least 1,600 deaths. 1984 Sept. 2–3, Philippines:“Ike” hit seven major islands, leaving 1,300 dead. 1991 Nov. 5, central Philippines:flash floods from tropical storm “Thelma” killed about 3,000 people. City of Ormoc on Leytewas worst hit. 2003 Sept. 12, South Korea:With winds up to 130 mph, Typhoon Maemi, one of the most powerful typhoons to hit South Korea in a century, kills at least 110 people, disrupts electrical power and communications systems, knocks over ships in the port, and forces the evacuation of thousands from their homes. 2004 Oct. 20, Japan:Typhoon Tokage, the deadliest typhoon to hit Japan in more than two decades, kills at least 80 people as heavy rains flood tens of thousands of houses and trigger numerous landslides. The typhoon produces a record (since 1970) 80 ft (24 m) high wave, eight-stories high. 2007 Aug.18, Taiwan:Typhoon Sepat, hit Taiwan with winds over 120 mph, cutting power supplies to nearly 57,000 homes, killing over 40 people, injuring 12 more, and forcing more than a thousand others to evacuate. 2008 June 21, the Philippines:a ferry, thePrincess of the Stars, is struck by Typhoon Fengshen, killing most of the 865 passengers and crew. There are 59 known survivors. Almost 500 other people die during the storm. July 28, Taiwan:Typhoon Fung Wong, hit the east central coast of Taiwan with winds over 105 mph, only a week after a tropical storm killed 19 people.

Major Blizzards in the U.S. 1888 Jan. 12, Dakota and Montana territories, Minn., Nebr., Kans., and Tex.:“Schoolchildren's Blizzard” resulted in 235 deaths, many of which were children on their way home from school. March 11–14, East Coast:“ Blizzard of 1888” resulted in 400 deaths and as much as 5 ft of snow. Damage was estimated at $20 million. 1949 Jan. 2–4, Nebr., Wyo., S.D., Utah, Colo., and Nev.:Actually one of a series of winter storms between Jan. 1 and Feb. 22. Although only 1 ft to 30 in. of snow fell, fierce winds of up to 72 mph created drifts as high as 30 ft. Tens of thousands of cattle and sheep perished. 1950 Nov. 25–27, eastern U.S.:“Storm of the Century” generated heavy snow and hurricane-force winds across 22 states and claimed 383 lives. Damages estimated at $70 million. 1977 Jan. 28–29, Buffalo, N.Y.:“Blizzard of 1977” dumped about 7 in. of new snow on top of 30–35 in. already on the ground. With winds gusting to 70 mph, drifts were as high as 30 ft. Death toll reached 29, and seven western N.Y. counties were declared a national disaster area. 1978 Feb. 6–8, eastern U.S.:“Blizzard of 1978” battered the East Coast, particularly the Northeast; claimed 54 lives and caused $1 billion in damage. Snowfall ranged from 2–4 ft in New England, plus nearly 2 ft of snow already on the ground from an earlier storm. 1993 March 12–14, eastern U.S.:“Superstorm” paralyzed the eastern seaboard, causing the deaths of some 270 people. Record snowfalls (with rates of 2–3 in. per hour) and high winds caused $3 billion to $6 billion in damage. 1996 Jan. 6–8, eastern U.S.:heavy snow paralyzed the Appalachians, the mid-Atlantic, and the Northeast; 187 were killed in the blizzard and in the floods that resulted after a sudden warm-up. Damages reached $3 billion. 1999 Jan. 1–3, Midwest U.S.:major blizzard and sub-zero temperatures wreak havoc in Illinois, Wisconsin, Indiana, Michigan, and Ohio; 73 were killed in the blizzard and transportation systems in the region were paralyzed. Damages reached about $500 million.

Other Hurricanes 1780 Oct. 10–16, Barbados, West Indies:“The Great Hurricane of 1780” killed 20,000–22,000 people and completely flattened the islands of Barbados, Martinique, and St. Eustatius;it is the deadliest Western Hemisphere hurricane on record. 1926 Oct. 20, Cuba:powerful hurricane killed 650. 1930 Sept. 3, Dominican Republic:hurricane killed about 8,000 people. 1955 Sept. 19, Mexico:“Hilda” took 200 lives. Sept. 22–28, Caribbean:“Janet” killed 200 in Honduras and 300 in Mexico. 1961 Oct. 31, British Honduras:“Hattie” devastated capital of Belize, killing at least 400. 1963 Oct. 2–7, Caribbean:“Flora” killed about 7,200 in Haiti and Cuba. 1966 Sept. 24–30, Caribbean area:“Inez” killed 293. 1974 Sept. 14–19, Honduras:“Fifi” struck northern part of country, leaving 8,000 dead and 100,000 homeless. 1988 Sept. 12–17, Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico:“Gilbert” took at least 260 lives and caused some 39 tornadoes in Tex. 1997 Oct. 8–10, southern Mexico:“Pauline” devastated resort city of Acapulco and villages along the coast in states of Oaxacaand Guerrero,leaving 217 dead and 20,000 homeless. 1998 Sept. 20–29, Caribbean, Fla. Keys, and Gulf Coast:“George” killed about 600 people, mostly in Dominican Republic. Damage estimated to be $5 billion, including $2 billion in Puerto Rico. Oct. 26–Nov. 4, Honduras, Nicaragua, Guatemala:“Mitch” killed more than 14,500 people, becoming the deadliest Atlantic storm in 200 years. Two to three million people were left homeless; damages were more than $5 billion. 2004 Sept. 18, Haiti:Floods from tropical storm “Jeanne” killed more than 2,400 in Haiti and left 300,000 homeless. 2007 Aug. 13–23, Caribbean and Mexico:“Dean,” a category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 150 mph, took 32 lives and caused more than $200 million in damage. Aug. 31–Sept. 5, Caribbean, Nicaragua, and Honduras:“Felix,” a category 5 hurricane with winds reaching 150 mph, took at least 130 lives and left 70 others missing. 2008 Aug. 28–Sept. 2, Caribbean and Gulf Coast:"Gustav" killed at least 137 people and injured many more when it made landfall in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Thousands were left homeless and without food and water. In the U.S., "Gustav" forced the entire city of New Orleans to evacuate and left 26 people dead in three states. Sept. 7–8, Haiti, Cuba, Turks and Caicos islands:“Ike,” a category 2 hurricane with winds reaching 120 mph, took at least 61 lives in Haiti, left more than 80% of homes destroyed on Turks and Caicos islands, and caused four deaths and 800,000 people to evacuate their homes in Cuba. Nov. 8, Cuba:“Paloma,” a category 3 hurricane with winds reaching 120 mph, forced more than 300,000 people in Cuba to evacuate their homes and caused about $9.4 billion in damages.

U.S. Hurricanes Find data about the most intense and deadliest hurricanes to strike the U.S. Figures include U.S. deaths only, except where noted. Damages are actual cost in U.S. dollars, followed in parentheses by dollar figures adjusted to the year 2000.) 1776 Sept. 2–9, N.C. to Nova Scotia:called the “Hurricane of Independence,” it is believed that 4,170 in the U.S. and Canada died in the storm. 1856 Aug. 11, Last Island, La.:400 died. 1893 Aug. 28, Savannah, Ga., Charleston, S.C., Sea Islands, S.C.:at least 1,000 died. 1900 Sept. 8, Galveston, Tex.:an estimated 6,000–8,000 died in hurricane and tidal surge. The “Galveston Hurricane” is considered the deadliest in U.S. history. 1909 Sept. 10–21, La. and Miss.:350 deaths. 1915 Aug. 5–23, Galveston, Tex., and New Orleans, La.:275 killed. 1919 Sept. 2–15, Fla. Keys, La., and southern Tex.:more than 600 killed, mostly lost on ships at sea. 1926 Sept. 11–22, southeast Fla. and Ala.:243 deaths. 1928 Sept. 6–20, Lake Okeechobee, southeast Fla.:1,836 deaths. Second-deadliest U.S. hurricane on record. 1935 Aug. 29–Sept. 10, Fla. Keys:“Labor Day Hurricane”; 408 deaths. 1938 Sept. 10–22, Long Island, N.Y., and southern New England:“New England Hurricane”; 600 deaths. 1944 Sept. 9–16, N.C. to New England:390 deaths, 344 of which were at sea. 1947 Sept. 4–21, southeast Fla., La., Miss., Ala.:51 killed. 1954 Aug. 25–31, N.C. to New England:“Carol” killed 60 in Long Island–New England area. Oct. 5–18, S.C. to N.Y.:“Hazel” killed 95 in U.S.; about 400–1,000 in Haiti; 78 in Canada. 1955 Aug. 7–21, N.C. to New England:“Diane” took 184 lives and cost $8.3 million ($5.5 billion). 1957 June 25–28, southwest La. and northern Tex.:“Audrey” wiped out Cameron, La., causing 390 deaths. 1960 Aug. 29–Sept. 13, Fla. to New England:“Donna” killed 50 in the U.S.; 115 deaths in Antilles. 1961 Sept. 3–15, Tex. coast:“Carla” devastated Tex. gulf cities, taking 46 lives. 1965 Aug. 27–Sept. 12, southern Fla. and La.:“Betsy” killed 75 and cost more than $1.4 ($8.5) billion. 1969 Aug. 14–22, Miss., La., Ala., Va., and W. Va.:256 killed as a result of “Camille.” Damages estimated at $1.4 ($6.9) billion. 1972 June 14–23, northwest Fla. to N.Y.:“Agnes” caused widespread flash floods killing 117 (50 in Pa). Damages estimated at over $2.1 ($8.6) billion. Still the worst natural disaster ever in Pa. 1979 Aug. 25–Sept. 7, Caribbean to New England:“David” caused five U.S. deaths; 1,200 in the Dominican Republic. Aug. 29–Sept. 15, Ala. and Miss.:“Frederic” devastated Mobile, Ala., and caused $2.3 ($4.9) billion in damage overall. 1980 Aug. 3–10, Caribbean to Tex. Gulf:“Allen” killed 28 in U.S.; over 200 in Caribbean. 1983 Aug. 15–21, Galveston and Houston, Tex.:“Alicia” caused 21 deaths and $2 ($3.4) billion in damages. 1985 Oct. 6–Nov. 1, La. southeast U.S.:“Juan,” a Category 1 hurricane, caused severe flooding and $1.5 ($2.4) billion in damages; 63 people died. 1989 Sept. 10–22, Caribbean Sea, S.C., and N.C.:“Hugo” claimed 86 lives (57 U.S. mainland) and damages estimated over $7 ($9.7) billion. 1991 Oct. 30–Nov. 1, Eastern Atlantic seaboard:an unnamed hurricane labeled the “perfect storm” caused extensive erosion and flooding along the Atlantic seaboard and created 39-foot waves. 1992 Aug. 22–26, Bahamas, southern Fla., and La.:Hurricane “Andrew” left 26 dead and more than 100,000 homes destroyed or damaged. Total U.S. damages estimated at $26.5 ($34.9) billion. 1994 Nov. 8–21, Caribbean and southern Fla.:“Gordon” led to an estimated 1,122 deaths in Haiti. Eight died in Fla. 1995 Nov. 29, Fla. Panhandle and Ala.:storm surge during “Opal” caused extensive damage to coastal areas; nine U.S. deaths and damages of $3 ($3.5) billion. 1996 Sept. 5, N.C. and Va.:“Fran” took 37 lives and caused more than $3.2 ($3.6) billion in damage. 1999 Sept. 14–18, Bahamas to New England:“Floyd” and associated flooding caused at least 57 deaths. Damage estimated at $4.5 ($4.6) billion. 2001 June 8–15, Gulf Coast to southern New England:tropical storm “Allison” caused severe flooding, damage estimated at $5 billion (actual cost); 41 deaths. 2003 Sept. 18, N.C. and Va.:“Isabel” took 50 lives and caused more than $3.7 billion in damage. 2004 Aug. 13–Sept. 26, Fla., Ala., and southern U.S.:Four major hurricanes hit Fla. in 6 weeks. “Charley,” on Aug. 13, a Category 4 hurricane, killed 34; “Frances,” on Sept. 5, killed 48. “Ivan” swept from Grenada to Ala. and Fla. on Sept. 16, killing 57 in the U.S. and 66 in the Caribbean. “Jeanne,” on Sept. 26, flooded Fla. again, killing 28. Total U.S. damages from the 4 hurricanes estimated to exceed $35 billion.

Cyclones 1864 Oct. 5, Calcutta, India:70,000 killed. 1942 Oct. 16, Bengal, India:about 40,000 lives lost. 1960 Oct. 10, East Pakistan:cyclone and tidal wave killed about 6,000. 1963 May 28–29, East Pakistan:cyclone killed about 22,000 along coast. 1965 May 11–12 and June 1–2, East Pakistan:cyclones killed about 47,000. Dec. 15, Karachi, Pakistan:about 10,000 killed. 1970 Nov. 12–13, East Pakistan:cyclone and tidal waves killed 200,000 and another 100,000 were reported missing. 1971 Sept. 29, Orissa state, India:cyclone and tidal wave killed as many as 10,000 off the Bay of Bengal. 1974 Dec. 25, Darwin, Australia:cyclone destroyed nearly the entire city; 50 reported dead. 1977 Nov. 19, Andhra Pradesh, India:cyclone and tidal wave claimed lives of 20,000. 1991 April 30, southeast Bangladesh:cyclone killed over 131,000 and left up to 9 million homeless. Thousands of survivors died from hunger and water-borne disease. 1999 Oct. 29, Orissa state, India:supercyclone swept in from Bay of Bengal, killing at least 9,573 and leaving over 10 million homeless. 2004 March 8, Antalaha, Madagascar:Cyclone Gafilo, with winds of 160 mph and heavy rains, leaves hundreds of thousands homeless and killed 295 people. More than 100 were on a ferry that sank off the island of Comoros. 2007 November 15, southern Bangladesh:Cyclone Sidr, with winds over 100 miles per hour, kills nearly 3,500 people in southern Bangladesh. The United Nations reports that a million people are left homeless. 2008 May 3, Myanmar:Cyclone Nargis hits the Irrawaddy Delta and the city of Yangon, killing at least 22,500 people— 41,000 more are still missing. Most of the deaths and destruction were caused by a 12-foot high tidal wave that formed during the storm.

Floods, Avalanches, and Tidal Waves 1228 Holland:100,000 people reputedly drowned by sea flood in Friesland. 1642 China:rebels destroyed Kaifengseawall; 300,000 drowned. 1889 May 31, Johnstown, Pa.:more than 2,200 died in flood after South Fork Dam collapsed. 1910 March 1, Wellington, Wash.:avalanche in Cascade Range swept 2 trains into canyon, killing 96. Worst U.S. avalanche. 1903 June 14, Willow Creek, Ore.:Flash floods swept away town of Heppner, killing more than 240. 1913 March–April, Ohio:Statewide flooding of rivers killed at least 428. 1928 March 12, Santa Paula, Calif.:collapse of St. Francis Dam left 450 dead. 1931 July–Aug., China:flood along Yangtze River left 3.7 million people dead from disease, starvation, or drowning. 1953 Jan. 31–Feb. 5, northwest Europe:storm followed by floods devastated North Seacoastal areas. Netherlands hit hardest; 1,794 dead. 1954 Aug., Teheran, Iran:flood rains resulted in some 10,000 deaths. 1959 Dec. 2, Fréjus, France:flood caused by collapse of Malpasset Dam left 412 dead. 1962 Jan. 10, Peru:avalanche down extinct Huascaranvolcano killed more than 3,000. 1963 Oct. 9, Italy:landslide into the Vaiont Dam;flood killed about 2,000. 1966 Oct. 21, Aberfan, Wales:avalanche of coal, waste, mud, and rocks killed 144 people, including 116 children in school. 1969 Jan. 18–26, southern Calif.:floods and mudslides from heavy rains caused widespread property damage; at least 100 dead. Another downpour (Feb. 23–26) caused further floods and mudslides; at least 18 dead. 1970 Nov. 13, East Pakistan:200,000 killed by cyclone-driven tidal wave from Bay of Bengal.Over 100,000 missing. 1971 Aug., Hanoi, North Vietnam:heavy rains flooded the Red River Delta, killing 100,000. 1972 Feb. 26, Man, W. Va.:a slag-pile dam collapsed under pressure of torrential rains, flooding 17-mi valley, killing more than 118. June 9–10, Rapid City, S.D.:flash flood caused 237 deaths and $160 million in damage. 1975 Aug. 5, Yangtze River, China:63 dams failed, killing an estimated 80,000 to 200,000 people from floods and subsequent famine. The Chinese government never acknowledged the event. 1976 Aug. 1, Loveland, Colo.:flash flood along Route 34 in Big Thompson Canyon left 139 dead. 1988 Aug.–Sept., Bangladesh:heaviest monsoon in 70 years killed more than 1,300. Floods inundated three-fourths of country, leaving 30 million homeless and damages estimated over $1 billion. 1993 June–Aug., Ill., Iowa, Kan., Ky., Minn., Mo., Neb., N.D., S.D., Wis.:flooding of the Mississippi River and tributaries caused 50 deaths and about $12 billion in damage. Almost 70,000 left homeless. 1997 Dec. 1996–Jan. 1997, U.S. West Coast:torrential rains and snowmelt produced severe floods in parts of Calif., Ore., Wash., Idaho, Nev., and Mont., causing 36 deaths and about $2–3 billion in damage. March, Ohio and Mississippi Valleys:flooding and tornadoes plagued Ark., Mo., Miss., Tenn., Ill., Ind., Ky., Ohio, and W.Va. 67 were killed and damage totaled approximately $1 billion. April, N.D., S.D., and Minn.:Grand Forks, N.D., and surrounding area devastated as the Red River swelled 13 ft above flood level. Eleven deaths were recorded. Summer, central and northeast China:heavy flooding of Yangtze Riverkilled more than 3,000 and left 14 million homeless. Estimated damages exceeded $20 billion. 1999 Summer, Asia:torrential downpours and flooding left more than 950 dead and millions homeless in S. Korea, China, Japan, the Philippines, and Thailand. Oct., southwest Mexico:heavy rains killed at least 360 people in mudslides and flood waters. Nov. and Dec., Vietnam:devastating floods caused $285 million in damage and killed more than 700 people. Dec. 15–16, northern Venezuela:heavy rains caused catastrophic flooding and mudslides, killing an estimated 5,000 to 20,000 people. Country's worst modern-day natural disaster. 2000 Feb., southeast Africa:weeks of rain resulted in deadly floods in Mozambique and Zimbabwe, killing more than 700 people and leaving 280,000 homeless. mid-September, Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam:rising flood waters from the Mekong Riverand its tributaries destroyed crops and livestock and left at least 235 people dead and 4.5 million homeless. Damages were estimated at $50 million in Cambodia and $24 million in Thailand. 2002 Sept. 20, Karmadon Gorge, North Ossetia, Russia:an avalanche caused by a 500-ft chunk of glacier left 150 people dead. June–Aug., Asia:annual monsoons caused record floods and more than 2,000 deaths in China, India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.t5 Aug., Europe:record flooding across central and eastern Europe killed 108 people and caused billions of dollars of extensive infrastructure damage and deforestation.

Major U.S. Epidemics 1793 Philadelphia:more than 4,000 residents died from yellow fever. 1832 July–Aug., New York City:over 3,000 people killed in a choleraepidemic. Oct., New Orleans:cholera took the lives of 4,340 people. 1848 New York City:more than 5,000 deaths caused by cholera. 1853 New Orleans:yellow fever killed 7,790. 1867 New Orleans:3,093 perished from yellow fever. 1878 Southern states:over 13,000 people died from yellow fever in lower Mississippi Valley. 1916 Nationwide:over 7,000 deaths occurred and 27,363 cases were reported of polio(infantile paralysis) in America's worst polio epidemic. 1918 March–Nov., nationwide:outbreak of Spanish influenza killed over 500,000 people in the worst single U.S. epidemic. 1949 Nationwide:2,720 deaths occurred from polio, and 42,173 cases were reported. 1952 Nationwide:polio killed 3,300; 57,628 cases reported. 1981–Dec. 2005: Total estimated U.S. AIDS cases: 988,376; total estimated AIDS deaths: 550,394 (Centers for Disease Control). 2009 In April, H1N1, also known as Swine Flu, breaks out and quickly spreads to more than 70 countries. The Centers for Disease Control reports that between April and October, 22 million Americans had contracted the virus, 98,000 required hospitalization, and about 3,900 people died from H1N1-related causes.

Worst Industrial Accidents in History The following table includes information about the worst industrial disasters in history. YearDayIncidentLocationFatalities 201304/24Rana Plaza, a building containing several factories, collapsesSavar, Bangladeshmore than 1,100 198412/0242 tons of lethal methyl isocyanate leak from the Union Carbide pesticide plantBhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India2,259 (immediately) An estimated 25,000 are believed to have died since from the exposure 194204/26A coal dust and gas explosion in a mineBenxihu Colliery, Benxi Liaoning, China1,549 198604/26Explosion during an unauthorized test at the Chernobyl nuclear power plantPrypiat, Ukraine50 due to radiation 3,940 due to radiation induced cancer and leukemia 194704/16Fire near 2,300 tons of ammonium nitrate on S.S. Grandcamp causes explosionPort of Texas City, Texas, USA581 198411/19Explosions at a Liquid Petroleum Gas tank farmSan Juanico, Mexico500 190603/10Coal dust explosionCourrieres, France1,099 197607/10ICMESA, a chemical manufacturing plant, releases dioxins (TCDD)Seveso, Italy3,300 farm animals 80,000 animals are later slaughtered 198903/24Exxon Valdez, an oil tanker, spills 260,000 to 750,000 barrels of crude oil into the seaPrince William Sounds, Alaska, USA100,000 to 250,000 seabirds 200005/13Explosion at a fireworks storage depotEnschede, Netherlands23

Fatal Mining Accidents in the U.S. The following table includes information about the most fatal mining accidents in the United States. Only accidents with ten or more fatalities are listed. YearDayMineLocationTypeFatalities 201004/05Upper Big Branch Mine-South, Performance Coal CompanyRaleigh County, Montcoal, West VirginiaExplosion of Gas or Dust29 200601/02Sago Mine, Anker West Virginia Mining Company Inc.Upshur County, Buckhannon, West VirginiaExplosion12 200109/23No. 5 Mine, Jim Walter Resources, Inc.Tuscaloosa County, Brookwood, AlabamaExplosion13 198909/13William Station No. 9 Mine, Pyro Mining Co.Union Co., Wheatcroft, KentuckyExplosion10 198412/19Wilberg Mine, Emery Mining Corp.Emery Co., Orangeville, UtahFire27 198112/08No. 21 Mine, Grundy Mining Co.Marion Co., Whitwell, TennesseeExplosion13 198103/15Dutch Creek No. 1, Mid-Continent Resources, Inc.Pitkin Co., Redstone, ColoradoExplosion15 197603/9-11Scotia Mine, Blue Diamond Coal Co.Letcher Co., Oven Fork, KentuckyExplosion26 197012/30Nos. 15 and 16 Mines, Finley Coal Co.Leslie Co., Hyden, KentuckyExplosion38 196811/20Consol No. 9Farmington, West VirginiaExplosion78 195112/21Orient No. 2West Frankfort, IllinoisExplosion119 194703/25Centralia No. 5Centralia, IllinoisExplosion111 194003/16Willow Grove No. 10St. Clairsville, OhioExplosion72 194001/10Pond Creek No. 1Bartley, West VirginiaExplosion91 191310/22Stag Canon No. 2Dawson, New MexicoExplosion263 190911/13Cherry MineCherry, IllinoisFire259 190712/06Monongah Nos. 6 and 8Monongah, West VirginiaExplosion362 Source:Mine Safety and Health Administration,Historical Data on Mine Disasters in the United StatesWeb: www.msha.gov/.

Major Earthquakes around the World, 2012 The following table lists the date, location, and magnitude of major earthquakes around the world during 2012. DateLocationMagnitude1 Jan. 11Sumatra, Indonesia7.2 Feb. 2Vanuatu7.1 March 20Ometepec, Mexico7.4 March 25Talca, Chile7.1 April 11Aceh Province, Indonesia8.6 April 11Aceh Province, Indonesia8.2 April 12Baja California, Mexico7.0 May 21Northern Italy6.0 Source:various NOTE: A major earthquake is defined here as having a magnitude of 6.0 or more. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale.

Major Earthquakes around the World, 2011 The following table lists the date, location, and magnitude of major earthquakes around the world during 2011. DateLocationMagnitude1 Jan. 1Santiago del Estero, Argentina7.0 Jan. 13Loyalty Islands7.0 Jan. 18Pakistan7.2 March 9Honshu, Japan7.2 March 11Tohoku, Japan9.0 March 11Honshu, Japan7.9 March 11Honshu, Japan7.7 April 7Honshu, Japan7.1 June 23Aleutian Islands, Alaska, United States7.2 July 6Kermadec Islands, New Zealand7.6 July 10Honshu, Japan7.0 Aug. 20Port Vila, Vanuatu7.1 Sept. 3Isangel, Vanuatu7.0 Sept. 15Ndoi Islands, Fiji7.3 Oct. 21Kermadec Islands, New Zealand7.4 Oct. 23Van, Turkey7.2 Dec. 14Lae, Papua New Guinea7.1 Source:various NOTE: A major earthquake is defined here as having a magnitude of 6.0 or more. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale.

Major Earthquakes around the World, 2010 The following table lists the date, location, and magnitude of major earthquakes around the world during 2010. DateLocationMagnitude1 Jan. 12Haiti7.0 Feb. 27Maule region, Chile8.8 March 15Biobío Region, Chile7.2 April 4Baja California, Mexico7.2 April 6Sumatra, Indonesia7.7 May 9Sumatra, Indonesia7.2 June 13Nicobar Islands, India7.5 July 24Mindanao, Philippines7.6 August 10Port Vila, Vanuatu7.5 Dec. 21Bonin Islands, Japan7.4 Dec. 25Coast of Vanuatu7.3 Source:various NOTE: A major earthquake is defined here as having a magnitude of 6.0 or more. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale.

Major Earthquakes around the World, 2009 The following table lists the date, location, and magnitude of major earthquakes around the world during 2009. DateLocationMagnitude1 Jan. 3North Coast of Papua, Indonesia7.6 Jan. 15East of Kuril Islands7.4 Feb. 11Kepulauan Talud, Indonesia7.2 March 19Tonga Region7.6 April 6Central Italy6.3 May 18Greater Los Angeles area, California4.7 May 25North Korea4.7 May 28Offshore Honduras7.3 July 15New Zealand7.6 Aug. 3Gulf of California6.9 Aug. 9Izu Islands, Japan Region7.1 Aug. 10Andaman Islands, India Region7.6 Sept. 2Java, Indonesia7.0 Sept. 21Bhutan6.1 Sept. 29Samoa Islands Region8.0 Sept. 30Southern Sumatra, Indonesia7.6 Source:Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology: Earthquake Events 2009: IRIS NOTE: A major earthquake is defined here as having a magnitude of 6.0 or more. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale.

Estimated Deaths from Earthquakes, 2009 The following table gives the number of people who died in earthquakes in 2009. The magnitude of each earthquake is also shown. Magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale. DateRegionMagnitudeNumber killed April 6Central Italy6.3287 May 28Offshore Honduras7.37 Sept. 2Java, Indonesia7.072 Sept. 29Samoa Islands Region8.0110 Sept. 30Southern Sumatra, Indonesia7.61100 Source:Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology: Earthquake Events 2009: IRIS

Major Earthquakes around the World, 2008 The following table lists the date, location, and magnitude of major earthquakes around the world during 2008. DateLocationMagnitude1 Jan. 5Queen Charlotte Islands Region6.6 Jan. 10Off the coast of Oregon6.4 Feb. 20Simeulue, Indonesia7.4 Feb. 24Neveda6.0 Feb. 25Kepulauan Mentawai Region, Indonesia7.0 March 21Xinjiang-Xizang Border Region7.2 April 9Loyalty Islands7.3 April 18Illinois5.2 May 12China7.9 June 13Eastern Honshu, Japan6.9 July 19Honshu, Japan7.0 Oct. 6Kyrgyzstan6.6 Oct. 11Russia6.3 Oct. 29Pakistan6.4 Nov. 16Indonesia7.3 Dec. 20Japan6.3 Source:Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology: Earthquake Events 2008: IRIS NOTE: A major earthquake is defined here as having a magnitude of 6.0 or more. 1. Unless otherwise indicated, magnitudes listed are moment magnitudes, the newest, most uniformly applicable magnitude scale.

Earthquakes and Volcanic Eruptions Here is information on significant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions going back as early asA.D.79 and through the present. A.D. 79 Aug. 24, Italy: eruption of Mt. Vesuvius buried cities of Pompeiiand Herculaneum, killing thousands. 856 Dec. 22, Damghan, Iran:earthquake killed 200,000. 893 March 23, Ardabil, Iran:earthquake killed about 150,000 people. 1138 Aug. 9, Aleppo, Syria:deadly earthquake claimed lives of 230,000 people. 1290 Sept., Chihli, China:earthquake killed about 100,000 people. 1556 Jan. 23, Shaanxi (Shensi) province, China:most deadly earthquake in history; 830,000 killed. 1667 Nov., Shemakha, Caucasia:earthquake killed about 80,000 people. 1693 Jan. 11, Sicily, Italy:earthquake killed about 60,000 people. 1707 Oct. 28, Japan:tsunami caused by an earthquake drowned 30,000. 1727 Nov. 18, Tabriz, Iran:about 77,000 victims killed in deadly earthquake. 1755 Nov. 1, Portugal:earthquake, fires, and Atlantic tsunami leveled Lisbon and was felt as far away as southern France and North Africa; 70,000 killed. 1782 South Sea, China:tsunami killed 40,000. 1783 Feb. 4, Calabria, Italy:series of 6 earthquakes over two-month period caused massive destruction, killing 50,000. One of first scientifically investigated earthquakes. June 8, Iceland:eruption of Laki volcano lasted until Feb. 1784. Haze from eruption resulted in loss of island's livestock and widespread crop failure; 9,350 deaths, mostly due to starvation. 1792 May 21, Kyushu Island, Japan:collapse of old lava dome during eruption of Unzen volcano caused avalanche and tsunami that killed an estimated 14,300 people. (Most were killed by the tsunami.) Japan's greatest volcano disaster. 1811 Dec. 16, Mississippi Valley, nr. New Madrid, Mo.:earthquake reversed the course of the Mississippi River. Fatalities unknown due to sparse population in area. Aftershocks and tremors continued into 1812. It has been estimated that three of the series of earthquakes had surface-wave magnitudes of 8.6, 8.4, and 8.8 on the Richter scale.It is the largest series of earthquakes known to have occurred in North America. 1815 April 5, 10–11, Netherlands Indies (Sumbawa, Indonesia):eruption of Tambora largest in historic times. An estimated 92,000 people were killed, about 10,000 directly as a result of explosions and ash fall and about 82,000 indirectly by starvation and disease. 1877 June 26, north-central Ecuador:eruption of Mt. Cotopaxi caused severe mudflows that wiped out surrounding cities and valleys; 1,000 deaths. 1883 Aug. 26–28, Netherlands Indies (Krakatau, Indonesia):eruption of Krakatau;violent explosions destroyed two-thirds of island and caused a tsunami on Java and Sumatra, killing more than 36,000. It was felt as far away as Cape Hornand possibly England. 1886 Aug. 31, Charleston, S.C.:magnitude 7.3 quake, killed 60 people and caused extensive damage. 1896 June 15, Sanriku, Japan:earthquake and tidal wave killed 27,000. 1902 May 7, St. Vincent, West Indies:Soufrière volcano erupted, devastating one-third of the island and killing some 1,680 people. May 8, Martinique, West Indies: Mt. Peléeerupted and wiped out city of St. Pierre; 40,000 dead. 1906 April 18, San Francisco:earthquake accompanied by fire razed more than 4 sq mi; estimates range from 700 to 3,000 dead or missing.For more, see The Great 1906 San Francisco Earthquake. 1908 Dec. 28, Messina, Sicily:city totally destroyed by earthquake. Estimated death toll, from quake and tsunami, 70,000–100,000 in Sicilyand southern Italy. 1915 Jan. 13, Avezzano, Italy:magnitude 7.5 earthquake left 29,980 dead. 1920 Dec. 16, Gansu province, China:magnitude 7.8 earthquake killed 200,000 in northwest China. 1923 Sept. 1, Japan:magnitude 7.9 earthquake destroyed one-third of Tokyo and most of Yokohama. More than 140,000 killed. 1927 May 22, nr. Xining, China:magnitude 7.9 earthquake claimed approximately 200,000 victims. 1932 Dec. 25, Gansu, China:magnitude 7.6 earthquake killed approximately 70,000. 1933 March 10, Long Beach, Calif.:117 left dead by earthquake. 1935 May 30, Pakistan:earthquake at Quettakilled 30,000–60,000. 1939 Jan. 24, Chile:earthquake razed 50,000 sq mi; about 30,000 killed. Dec. 27, northern Turkey:severe quakes destroyed city of Erzingan; about 30,000 casualties. 1948 Oct. 5, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan:magnitude 7.3 earthquake destroyed the city, killing 110,000. 1950 Aug. 15, India:earthquake affected 30,000 sq mi in Assam;1500 killed. 1960 Feb. 29, Agadir, Morocco:10,000–12,000 dead as earthquake set off tidal wave and fire, destroying most of city. May 22, Chile:strongest earthquake ever recorded (9.5 magnitude) struck near the coast, causing a tsunami that traveled as far as Hawaii, Japan, and New Zealand, killing 4,000–5,000.

Frequency of Earthquakes Worldwide The following table lists the frequency of earthquakes worldwide, according to magnitude and annual average. DescriptorMagnitudeAnnual average Great8 or higher11 Major7–7.9172 Strong6–6.91342 Moderate5–5.91,3192 Light4–4.9c. 13,000 Minor3–3.9c. 130,000 Very minor2–2.9c. 1,300,000 1. Based on observations since 1900. 2. Based on observations since 1990. NOTE: The NEIC estimates that several million earthquakes occur in the world each year. Many go undetected because they hit remote areas or have very small magnitudes. Source:National Earthquake Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey.

The Severity of an Earthquake Source:National Earthquake Information Center, U.S. Geological Survey Earthquakes are the result of forces deep within Earth's interior that continuously affect its surface. The energy from these forces is stored in a variety of ways within the rocks. When this energy is released suddenly—by shearing movements along faults in the crust of Earth, for example—an earthquake results. The area of the fault where the sudden rupture takes place is called the focus or hypocenter of the earthquake. The point on Earth's surface directly above the focus is called the epicenter of the earthquake. The severity of an earthquake can be expressed in terms of both intensity and magnitude. The two terms are quite different, however, and they are often confused. Intensity is based on the observed effects of ground shaking on people, buildings, and natural features. It varies from place to place within the disturbed region depending on the location of the observer with respect to the earthquake epicenter. Magnitude is related to the amount of seismic energy released at the hypocenter of the earthquake. It is based on the amplitude of the earthquake waves recorded on instruments, which have a common calibration. Magnitude is thus represented by a single, instrumentally determined value. The Richter Magnitude Scale Seismic waves are the vibrations from earthquakes that travel through Earth; they are recorded on instruments called seismographs. Seismographs record a zigzag trace that shows the varying amplitude of ground oscillations beneath the instrument. Sensitive seismographs, which greatly magnify these ground motions, can detect strong earthquakes from sources anywhere in the world. The time, location, and magnitude of an earthquake can be determined from the data recorded by seismograph stations. The Richter magnitude scale was developed in 1935 by Charles F. Richter of the California Institute of Technology as a mathematical device to compare the size of earthquakes. The magnitude of an earthquake is determined from the logarithm of the amplitude of waves recorded by seismographs. Adjustments are included in the magnitude formula to compensate for the variation in the distance between the various seismographs and the epicenter of the earthquakes. On the Richter Scale, magnitude is expressed in whole numbers and decimal fractions. For example, a magnitude of 5.3 might be computed for a moderate earthquake, and a strong earthquake might be rated as magnitude 6.3. Because of the logarithmic basis of the scale, each whole number increase in magnitude represents a tenfold increase in measured amplitude; as an estimate of energy, each whole number step in the magnitude scale corresponds to the release of about 31 times more energy than the amount associated with the preceding whole number value. Although the Richter Scale has no upper limit, the largest known shocks have had magnitudes in the 8.8 to 8.9 range. Why Are There So Many Earthquake Magnitude Scales? Earthquake size, as measured by the Richter Scale, is a well-known, but not well understood, concept. What is even less well understood is the proliferation of magnitude scales and their relation to Richter's original magnitude scale. Richter's magnitude scale was first created for measuring the size of earthquakes occurring in southern California, using relatively high-frequency data from nearby seismograph stations. This magnitude scale was referred to as ML, with the L standing for local. As more seismograph stations were installed around the world, it became apparent that the method developed by Richter was strictly valid only for certain frequency and distance ranges. In order to take advantage of the growing number of globally distributed seismograph stations, new magnitude scales that are an extension of Richter's original idea were developed. These include body-wave magnitude, “mb,” and surface-wave magnitude, “MS.” Each is valid for a particular frequency range and type of seismic signal. In its range of validity each is equivalent to the Richter magnitude. Because of the limitations of all three magnitude scales—ML, mb, and MS—a new, more uniformly applicable extension of the magnitude scale, known as moment magnitude, or “MW,” was developed. In particular, for very large earthquakes moment magnitude gives the most reliable estimate of earthquake size. New techniques that take advantage of modern telecommunications have recently been implemented, allowing reporting agencies to obtain rapid estimates of moment magnitude for significant earthquakes. So nowadays, when most seismologists announce a magnitude number, they are rarely referring to the Richter Scale. The Modified Mercalli Intensity Scale The effect of an earthquake on Earth's surface is called the intensity.

Tsunami in Japan 2011: Waves Stirred Up by Earthquake Cause Wide Destruction Learn about the science behind tsunamis and earthquakes Source: U.S. Geological Survey Tsunami. Relief Effort in Japan Tsunami in Japan Japanwas hit by a 9.0 magnitude earthquakeon March 11, 2011, that triggered a deadly 23-foot tsunami in the country's north. The giant waves deluged cities and rural areas alike, sweeping away cars, homes, buildings, a train, and boats, leaving a path of death and devastation in its wake. Video footage showed cars racing away from surging waves. The earthquake—the largest in Japan's history—struck about 230 miles northeast of Tokyo. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued warnings for Russia, Taiwan, Hawaii, Indonesia, the Marshall Islands, Papua New Guinea, Australia, and the west coasts the U.S., Mexico, Central America, and South America. According to the official toll, the disasters left 15,839 dead, 5,950 injured, and 3,642 missing. Earthquake Causes Nuclear Disaster What's more, cooling systems in one of the reactors at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station in the Fukushima prefecture on the east coast of Japan failed shortly after the earthquake, causing a nuclear crisis. This initial reactor failure was followed by an explosion and eventual partial meltdowns in two reactors, then by a fire in another reactor which released radioactivity directly into the atmosphere. The nuclear troubles were not limited to the Daiichi plant; three other nuclear facilities also reported problems. More than 200,000 residents were evacuated from affected areas. On April 12, Japan raised its assessment of the situation at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant to Level 7, the worst rating on the international scale, putting the disaster on par with the 1986 Chernobyl explosion. Developed by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) along with countries who use nuclear energy, the scale defines level 7 as a nuclear accident that involves "widespread health and environmental effects" and the "external release of a significant fraction of the reactor core inventory." Almost two months later, the IAEA called the status of the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant "very serious." At a news conference on March 13, Prime Minister Naoto Kan, who later gave the disaster the name "Great East Japan Earthquake", emphasized the gravity of the situation: "I think that the earthquake, tsunami, and the situation at our nuclear reactors makes up the worst crisis in the 65 years since the war. If the nation works together, we will overcome." The government called in 100,000 troops to aid in the relief effort. The deployment was the largest since World War II. The tsunami in Japan recalled the 2004 disaster in the Indian Ocean. On Dec. 26, a 9.0 magnitude earthquake—the largest earthquakein 40 years—ruptured in the Indian Ocean, off the northwest coast of the Indonesian island of Sumatra. The earthquake stirred up the deadliest tsunamiin world history, so powerful that the waves caused loss of life on the coast of Africa and were even detected on the East Coast of the United States. More than 225,000 people died from the disaster, a half a million were injured, and millions were left homeless. Seestatistics on Deadliest Tsunamisand Deadliest Earthquakes. The Science of Tsunami A tsunami(pronounced soo-NAHM-ee) is a series of huge waves that occur as the result of a violent underwater disturbance, such as an earthquakeor volcanic eruption. The waves travel in all directions from the epicenter of the disturbance. The waves may travel in the open sea as fast as 450 miles per hour. As they travel in the open ocean, tsunami waves are generally not particularly large—hence the difficulty in detecting the approach of a tsunami. But as these powerful waves approach shallow waters along the coast, their velocity is slowed and they consequently grow to a great height before smashing into the shore. They can grow as high as 100 feet; the Indian Ocean tsunami generated waves reaching 30 feet. Tsunamiis the Japanese word for "harbor wave." They are sometimes mistakenly referred to as tidal waves, but tsunamis have nothing to do with the tides. Tsunamis have been relatively rare in the Indian Ocean, and are most common in the Pacific Ocean.