Which disasters are major natural hazards associated with dynamic Earth?

• A. Droughts, heat waves, and wildfires
• B. Hurricanes only
• C. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and storms
• D. Ice storms only

Answer: (C)

The main idea here is recognizing natural hazards that arise from active Earth systems, including geologic processes inside the planet and the interactions between its atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, floods, and storms represent a broad set of hazards produced by those dynamic processes. Earthquakes and volcanic eruptions come from movement and magmatic activity within the Earth; when they occur near or under the ocean, they can trigger tsunamis. Floods and storms reflect the atmosphere–hydrosphere side: heavy rainfall and rapid snowmelt cause floods, while storms—whether tropical cyclones or other intense weather systems—are powered by energy exchanges between the oceans and the atmosphere. Together they show how dynamic Earth systems can reshuffle landscapes and threaten life.

Droughts, heat waves, and wildfires are important hazards too, but they’re largely driven by climate patterns and dryness rather than rapid geologic or ocean–atmosphere interactions. Hurricanes focus on storms alone, which is only part of the picture, and ice storms describe a narrower, less global set of conditions.