125 Examples of Natural Events

John Spacey, updated on August 13, 2024

Natural events are things that would happen even if human's didn't exist. This includes relatively rare events such as geological changes to the Earth's structure and common events such as hourly shifts in weather or ongoing biological processes. Natural events can be one-offs that are unique, repeated events that occur unpredictably or cyclical events that occur on some predicable cycle. The following are common examples of natural events.

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Geological Events

Geological events are relatively fast changes to the structure of the planet. This is driven by processes such as weather, continental drift, volcanic activity and relatively rare events such as extraterrestrial impacts.

Weather Events

Weather is the more or less constant change to the state of the atmosphere. This can occur as broad weather systems that impact large regions at the same time. Weather is also a local thing whereby it can potentially be stormy in one area and calm just a few miles down the road at a point in time.

Water Events

As with the atmosphere, water environments are in a more or less constant state of change that generates regular events. This includes ongoing events such as waves endlessly crashing on a shore. Water events can also be quite rare such as a large tsunami or rogue wave.

Astronomical Events

Events that originate in space including the movement of Earth though space. Astronomical events include events that stay in space such as a supernova and events that impact Earth such as meteorite falls. It is also common for astronomical events to occur on a cycle and to define cycles on Earth such as days, months, years and seasons.

Light Events

Visual occurrences often related to the effects of the atmosphere on light. For example, fata morgana, a type of mirage created by layers of air at different temperatures that each influence light differently. This can visually distort distant objects such as making them appear to float in midair.

Seasons & Cycles

Seasons and cycles on Earth are mostly caused by the Earth's axial tilt and orbit around the Sun. This shifts the seasons and the length of days. Weather patterns such as rainy season are also related to these seasons and the position and movement of the Earth through space.

Life Events

Lifeforms are extremely active such that they are constantly changing. Animals in particular are as active as weather due to their ability to move and navigate their environment. Life related natural change includes biological processes such as autumn leave fall. It is also possible for life to transform the planet in various ways. This is clearly the case with humans that transform vast regions of the planet but is also true of other organisms such as beavers that can create ponds and lakes by blocking streams.