Yet in 90 percent of avalanche incidents, the snow slides are triggered by the victim or someone in the victim's party. Avalanches kill more than 150 people worldwide each year. Most are snowmobilers, skiers, and snowboarders. MORE

In 1999, an avalanche killed many people in Kangiqsualujjuaq, near the Ungava Bay in northern Québec.

What You Should Know

Some 80 percent of all the planet's earthquakes occur along the rim of the Pacific Ocean, called the "Ring of Fire" because of the preponderance of volcanic activity there as well. Most earthquakes occur at fault zones, where tectonic plates; giant rock slabs that make up the Earth's upper layer; collide or slide against each other. These impacts are usually gradual and unnoticeable on the surface. However, immense stress can build up between plates. When this stress is released quickly, it sends massive vibrations, called seismic waves, often hundreds of miles through the rock and up to the surface. Other quakes can occur far from faults zones when plates are stretched or squeezed. MORE

What You Should Know

Hurricanes are giant, spiraling tropical storms that can pack wind speeds of over 160 miles (257 kilometers) an hour and unleash more than 2.4 trillion gallons (9 trillion liters) of rain a day. These same tropical storms are known as cyclones in the northern Indian Ocean and Bay of Bengal, and as typhoons in the western Pacific Ocean.

The Atlantic Ocean’s hurricane season peaks from mid-August to late October and averages five to six hurricanes per year. MORE

What You Should Know

Tidal waves, or tsunamis, are a series of enormous waves. Tsunamis originate from the sea and are caused by earthquakes or by the eruption of underwater volcanoes. These waves are breaking very fast and could rise up to 30 m high. MORE

For a minor tsunami to happen in the St. Lawrence River, a M 7 earthquake must occur. Fortunately, earthquakes of that magnitude are rarely seen in Québec!

What You Should Know

A tornado is a funnel-shaped storm wind spinning around. A tornado could be very destructive: its winds could speed up to 400 km/h! Moreover, it is impossible to foresee its path. It could switch directions. The Fujita scale is used to measure the strength of a tornado.

A F-3 tornado occurred in Aylmer (in the Outaouais region) in August 1994. It went along 41 streets and damaged more than 500 houses!

Tornadoes move rapidly: up to 120 km/h, which is faster than the authorized speed on highways!  

What You Should Know

A volcano is erupting when it ejects fire and lava. But volcanoes could also release dust, ashes and rocks. Volcanoes also produce gases: water vapour, carbon dioxide, sulphur dioxide, etc. MORE 

There are more than 40 000 volcanoes on Earth. Two thirds of these volcanoes are underwater.

What You Should Know

In the wild, wildfires are ignited by lightning. But some wildfires are caused by careless campers who did not extinguish their campfire or by walkers who threw their cigarettes in the woods. 80% of wildfires are caused by careless people. MORE

In Québec, there are 14 water bombers available to extinguish wildfires. In Québec, wildfires burn an average of 90 399 hectares every year. The size of a football field is approximately one hectare!

What You Should Know

• Wildfire...Are You Prepared?
• Animals in Evacuation Centers
• When the Power Goes Out
• Coping with Disasters

When it rains, water falling on the ground penetrates it. But when the ground already contains a lot of water, the falling rain could not seep through it. The water then starts flowing toward a watercourse.

When it rains a lot on a region, all water flows toward the river, but this river can not contain it; therefore, the river overflows.  

What You Should Know

Rockslide is a downward and rapid movement of newly detached pieces of bedrock. Landslides are ground and rock movements. They occur most commonly where the ground is made of soft material, like clay. MORE

In 1971, the village of Saint-Jean-Vianney (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean) was completely buried by a landslide.

What You Should Know

Before intense storms and rainfall

• Assume that steep slopes and areas burned by wildfires are vulnerable to landslides and debris flows.
• Learn whether landslides or debris flows have occurred previously in your area by contacting local authorities, a county geologist or the county planning department, state geological surveys or departments of natural resources, or university departments of geology.
• Contact local authorities about emergency and evacuation plans.
• Develop emergency and evacuation plans for your family and business.
• Develop an emergency communication plan in case family members are separated.
• If you live in an area vulnerable to landslides, consider leaving it.

During intense storms and rainfall

• Listen to the radio or watch TV for warnings about intense rainfall or for information and instructions from local officials.
• Be aware of any sudden increase or decrease in water level on a stream or creek that might indicate debris flow upstream. A trickle of flowing mud may precede a larger flow.
• Look for tilted trees, telephone poles, fences, or walls, and for new holes or bare spots on hillsides.
• Listen for rumbling sounds that might indicate an approaching landslide or mudflow.
• Be alert when driving. Roads may become blocked or closed due to collapsed pavement or debris.
• If landslide or debris flow danger is imminent, quickly move away from the path of the slide. Getting out of the path of a debris flow is your best protection. Move to the nearest high ground in a direction away from the path. If rocks and debris are approaching, run for the nearest shelter and take cover (if possible, under a desk, table, or other piece of sturdy furniture).

After a landslide or debris flow

• Stay away from the site. Flooding or additional slides may occur after a landslide or mudflow.
• Check for injured or trapped people near the affected area, if it is possible to do so without entering the path of the landslide or mudflow.
• Listen to the radio or TV for emergency information.
• Report broken utility lines to the appropriate authorities.
• Consult a geotechnical expert (a registered professional engineer with soils engineering expertise) for advice on reducing additional landslide problems and risks. Local authorities should be able to tell you how to contact a geotechnical expert.