Natural Hazards

2. A fire burning out of control in the open; also called a wildfire.
3. A prolonged period of very hot weather.
6. A prolonged period of below average precipitation.
8. A storm associated with lightning and thunder, occurring with cumulonimbus clouds.
9. A surface where a cool air mass meets a warmer mass, into which it is advancing.
10. The point on the Earth's surface directly above the focus of an earthquake.
11. Plants found in low rainfall areas; their leathery leaves help reduce water loss.
14. An extreme event that is the result of natural processes and causes serious material damage or loss of life.

1. The edge of a fire that spreads fastest.
4. Part of a river valley covered by water during floods.
5. Used to measure the energy of earthquakes.
7. A severe weather event that occurs where warm, moist, rising air begins to spiral upwards. It is also often accompanied by very strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
12. Aerially burning fuel that blows ahead of a fire front.
13. An intense fire that may generate strong convection currents and violent winds causing long-range spotting and flame spirals.
15. The loose material bought down by a river and deposited on its bed, flood plain or delta.