katastroph

Katastroph is a term used in several languages to denote a sudden, widespread event that causes extensive damage, loss of life, or severe disruption to society. In scientific and policy contexts, it is common to distinguish between hazard, risk, and disaster: a hazard is a potential source of harm, risk combines hazard with exposure and vulnerability, and a disaster occurs when the hazard manifests in a way that overwhelms local capacity and requires external assistance.

Catastrophes are categorized as natural (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes), technological or human-made (industrial accidents, chemical spills, nuclear incidents), and biological or health-related (epidemics, pandemics). Complex emergencies, such as armed conflict or large-scale displacement, may involve multiple hazards and long-lasting consequences. Disasters can be acute, developing over hours or days, or chronic, evolving over months or years.

The impacts of catastrophes include casualties, injuries, destruction of infrastructure, economic disruption, environmental damage, and social upheaval. Response focuses on protection of life, rapid assessment, rescue and medical care, and restoring essential services. Disaster risk reduction and preparedness—through land-use planning, building codes, early warning systems, and resilient recovery—aim to lessen future impacts.

Etymology: Katastroph derives from the Greek katastrophē, meaning overturning or sudden turning. The term has cognates across European languages, including German Katastrophe, Swedish katastrof, Norwegian katastrofe, and English catastrophe.