Natural disasters are unfortunately an inherent part of life on this planet.
Jan. 12, 2010, a 7.0 magnitude earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti.
Feb. 27, an earthquake occurred just off the coast of Chile, measuring 8.8 in magnitude.
Six years ago, Dec. 26, 2004, an earthquake occurred in the Indian Ocean, and the resulting tsunami caused massive damage.
In late August 2005, Hurricane Katrina swept from Florida to Texas, causing major flooding and loss of life.
"It seems like every other year, there's an earthquake," said Steven Ellison, junior in nursing. "Just the recent ones have hit close to home, I suppose."
In order to minimize the effects of natural disasters, preparation is the first priority.
"I think most importantly is having a plan," said Bob Jeswald, chief meteorologist at WRBL in Columbus, Ga. "People should be fully aware."
These plans should include everything from locating your family members and having an escape route, to knowing what your house insurance policy covers.
Precautions for people living at risk of hurricanes includes having hurricane-proof windows, storm shelters, an evacuation plan and a place to go, said Philip Chaney, associate professor in the geology and geography department at Auburn.
"People should be informed about the process and any preventative actions they can take," Chaney said.
Local governments also play a big part in the management and preparation of natural disasters.
In the U.S., the Federal Emergency Management Agency is in place to respond in case a natural disaster happens, but this type of preventative measure is not in place everywhere.
"In lesser developed nations, wherever there's a big disaster, you tend to have a high death loss and lower economic damage," Chaney said.
Contributing factors for this higher death rate includes the presence of government building codes, which can insure the stability of structures when a disaster occurs, keeping people safer.
"Building structures to better sustain strong ground motions means adopting certain building codes, enforcing these codes and being able to afford to follow them," said Lorraine Wolf, professor of geology and geography.
Considering the alarming number of disasters in the last decade, people may wonder if there is some relationship or common cause.
"As far as anybody knows, there's not a connection," said David King, professor of geology and geography.
With threats like global warming and pollution, some may speculate if artificial causes or human actions have been linked to the causes of these natural disasters.
"I would not be one to really believe in that," Jeswald said.
Whatever the cause, the impact of these natural disasters is vast, affecting everything from a community's economy and infrastructure, to death and displacement of hundreds of people.
"I do not know how one can put a cost figure on human tragedy, including the loss of life or injury," Wolf said.
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