Rough waves caused by El Niño pound coastal homes in Del Mar, California

El Niño is a current of warm water that moves through the Pacific every three to seven years. It is the single biggest cause to changes in the Earth’s climate, responsible for everything from severe droughts to torrential monsoons. Between 1997 and 1998, El Niño caused around 2,000 deaths and damage costing £20bn worldwide.

Andrew was America’s most expensive hurricane, causing £25bn worth of damage in 1992. In September 2004, Ivan became the third major hurricane to hit the USA in six weeks and Hurricane Jeanne claimed 1,500 lives in Haiti.

The most famous volcanic eruption of all time exploded from Mount Vesuvius, burying the towns of Pompeii and Herculaneum in AD79. Scientists have gained a wealth of knowledge on the behaviour of volcanoes from evidence found in the ruins of the city and believe that Vesuvius erupts about once every 2,000 years.

The study of earthquakes has taught us how to construct safer buildings in areas that may be affected, but ancient cities are still vulnerable. In January 2004, one of the most devastating earthquakes of recent times claimed 40,000 lives in Iran and left a further 100,000 people homeless.