An earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter scale hit the Indonesian island of Java in the early hours of May 27, 2006. More than 135,000 houses were destroyed and an estimated 647,000 people were

Natural disasters, mostly weather-related catastrophes, have cost the world the largest-ever financial losses of around us $200 billion in 2005. In 2004, this loss was us $145 billion and around

On October 8, 2005, a powerful earthquake, measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale, rocked Pakistan and India's northern border. More than 30,000 died and there was widespread damage. The death toll is

Lake Nyos in western Cameroon is waiting to spill carbon dioxide that would choke entire communities along its shores. A similar disaster asphyxiated hundreds of cattle and killed over 1,700 people