What is the worst natural disaster and why?

Question

Hurricanes, tornadoes, tsunami, earthquakes or any other....which one is the worst?

Answer 1

On Earth scale I'd vote for either cosmic collisions or strong radiation like e.g. our sun going nova or the full power of a near quasar hitting the planet. Either case will alter the earth surface drastically on very short notice. All other events are mostly local, although major volcanic explosions have caused serious global climatic changes in the past.

Answer 2

The worst natural disaster? The one that happens to you! I live in California, so I vote earthquakes -- but they're also the "worst" because an earthquake is not only potentially devasting but there is absolutely no way to predict when one will hit; whereas with hurricanes, tornadoes and, to a lesser extent, tsunamies, there can be at least a little forewarning.

Answer 3

Tsunami/Flood. It is because it can:

* cover huge areas

* attacks regions most likely to be inhabited

* it destroys property that can only be afterwards torn down and not repared

* It can happen without advance warning to the affected population

* It has an after effect of water born disease