Vocabulary Related to Environmental Disasters (B2-C1)

Vocabulary Related to Environmental Disasters – Essential Words for News, Exams, and Discussions (B2–C1)

Hello, English learners! Welcome to a new lesson! Environmental disasters are frequently discussed in news reports, academic texts, documentaries, and exams. Being able to understand and talk about these events clearly is essential, especially when discussing climate change, environmental protection, or global challenges. In this lesson, you will learn key vocabulary related to environmental disasters, grouped by type, with clear definitions and natural example sentences to help you use the words accurately and confidently.

Geological Disasters

Earthquake

Meaning: a sudden movement of the Earth’s surface caused by tectonic activity.

• The earthquake shook the entire city, causing several buildings to collapse.

Landslide

Meaning: the sudden movement of rock, soil, or debris down a slope.

• Heavy rain triggered a landslide, blocking the mountain road.

Tsunami

Meaning: a series of large ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes or volcanic eruptions.

• The powerful tsunami swept across the coastline, destroying homes and infrastructure.

Volcanic eruption

Meaning: the release of lava, ash, and gases from a volcano.

• The volcanic eruption sent thick clouds of ash into the atmosphere, forcing residents to evacuate.

Water-Related Disasters

Drought

Meaning: a long period of little or no rainfall, resulting in water shortages.

• During the drought, farmers struggled to grow crops and animals migrated in search of water.

Flood

Meaning: an overflow of water that covers land that is normally dry.

• Prolonged heavy rain caused severe flooding, and thousands of people had to leave their homes.

Storm surge

Meaning: abnormal sea flooding caused by strong winds and low pressure during storms.

• The storm surge pushed seawater inland, flooding coastal towns and roads.

Dam failure

Meaning: the collapse or malfunction of a dam, causing uncontrolled water release.

• The dam failure resulted in massive flooding and widespread destruction downstream.

Atmospheric Disasters

Hurricane / Typhoon / Cyclone

Meaning: extremely powerful tropical storms with strong winds and heavy rain

(different names depending on region).

• The hurricane uprooted trees and damaged buildings along the coast.

Tornado

Meaning: a violently rotating column of air that extends from a storm to the ground.

• The tornado tore through the town, leaving a trail of destruction behind it.

Blizzard

Meaning: a severe snowstorm with strong winds and very low visibility.

• The blizzard trapped residents indoors for days due to heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures.

Heatwave

Meaning: a prolonged period of extremely hot weather.

• The heatwave made outdoor activities dangerous, with temperatures rising above 40°C.

Environmental & Human-Induced Disasters

Oil spill

Meaning: the release of petroleum into oceans or rivers, damaging ecosystems.

• The oil spill polluted the coastline, harming marine life and local fishing industries.

Deforestation

Meaning: large-scale removal of forests, often for agriculture or industry.

• Rapid deforestation has led to severe habitat loss and increased carbon emissions.

Desertification

Meaning: land degradation caused by climate change and human activity.

• Poor land management has accelerated desertification, turning fertile land into dry wasteland.

Nuclear disaster

Meaning: a major accident involving radiation leaks from nuclear facilities.

• The nuclear disaster forced thousands of people to evacuate due to radiation exposure.

Chemical spill

Meaning: the release of toxic substances into land or water.

• A chemical spill contaminated the river, cutting off drinking water supplies for nearby towns.

Plastic pollution

Meaning: the accumulation of plastic waste that harms wildlife and ecosystems.

• Plastic pollution is choking the oceans and threatening marine species worldwide.

Wildfire

Meaning: a large, uncontrolled fire that spreads rapidly through vegetation.

• The wildfire spread quickly due to strong winds, destroying forests and homes.

Final Tip for Learners

When discussing environmental disasters use precise vocabulary, avoid repetition by varying your terms and combine facts with cause-and-effect language. This will help you sound informed, confident, and advanced — especially in exams, presentations, and discussions.

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