This updated edition combines clearly-explained scientific concepts with gripping narrative details about some of the worst disasters in history. Updated through 2016, it provides scientific and narrative analysis on events caused, at least in part, by uncontrollable forces of nature. Disasters covered include avalanches, blizzards, droughts, dust & sand storms, earthquakes, El Nino, epidemics, explosions, famines, fires, floods, fog, heat waves, hurricanes, icebergs, landslides, lightning strikes, meteorites, smog, tornadoes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, and wind gusts.