The Natural Disasters in Australia and Their Effects

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The Natural Disasters in Australia and Their Effects

Earthquakes are caused by the shifting of the Indian-Australian plate,

which is being pushed north and is colliding with the Eurasian,

Philippine and Pacific plates. The stress from this collision is

released during earthquakes. Earthquakes can occur anywhere in

Australia. Adelaide has the highest earthquake hazard of any capital

city, with more earthquakes in the past 50 years than any other.

Thunderstorms however are more common on the east coast of Australia.

Thunderstorms develop when dense cold air meets warm, moist air, which

is less dense. A trigger, such as solar heating can then begin the

development of a thunderstorm. Strong upward currents of air develop.

As the air is carried upwards quickly water droplets in the air

condense to form rain. These raindrops can turn into hail.

When these rain drops reach high levels they freeze, forming hail

stones. These hail stones then grow steadily in size as they are

carried up and down by strong currents of air. Hail ...

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