Natural Disasters | smithsonianmag.comhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/natural-disasters/RSS feed for Natural DisastersenThu, 24 Jul 2025 16:05:00 +0000Los Angeles' 1936 'Bum Blockade' Targeted American Migrants Fleeing Poverty and Drought During the Great Depressionhttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/los-angeles-1936-bum-blockade-targeted-american-migrants-fleeing-poverty-and-drought-during-the-great-depression-180987022/The two-month patrol stopped supposedly "suspicious" individuals from crossing into California from other states. But its execution was uneven, and the initiative proved controversialThu, 24 Jul 2025 16:05:00 +0000CCTV Footage Captures the First-Ever Video of an Earthquake Fault in Motion, Shining a Rare Light on Seismic Dynamicshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cctv-footage-captures-the-first-ever-video-of-an-earthquake-fault-in-motion-shining-a-rare-light-on-seismic-dynamics-180987034/A clip recorded in Myanmar in March reveals a curved path of the fault slip, which can help scientists better understand the physics of such eventsThu, 24 Jul 2025 12:00:00 +0000The Getty Villa Reopens Six Months After the Devastating Palisades Firehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-getty-villa-reopens-six-months-after-the-devastating-palisades-fire-180986905/The iconic Los Angeles venue is welcoming visitors back with a new exhibition featuring artworks and artifacts from ancient GreeceTue, 08 Jul 2025 20:49:34 +0000Long-Lost Treasures Emerge From Lake During Hurricane Helene Recovery Efforts in North Carolinahttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/long-lost-treasures-emerge-from-lake-during-hurricane-helene-recovery-efforts-in-north-carolina-180986870/Officials are draining the water from Lake Lure to remove sediment and debris, revealing historic objects embedded in the dry lakebedMon, 30 Jun 2025 15:55:38 +0000Kentucky's Devastating Tornado in May Left a Trail of Destruction Visible From Spacehttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/kentuckys-devastating-tornado-in-may-left-a-trail-of-destruction-visible-from-space-180986780/Satellite imagery released by NASA features a giant brown streak where the storm sliced through the Daniel Boone National ForestWed, 11 Jun 2025 19:23:09 +0000Mount Etna's Spectacular Monday Eruption Marks the Volcano's Most Intense Activity in Yearshttps://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/mount-etnas-spectacular-monday-explosion-marks-the-volcanos-most-intense-activity-in-years-180986741/The explosion was the strongest since 2021, expelling ash, dust, lava and a pyroclastic flow, but no injuries or deaths were reportedWed, 04 Jun 2025 19:51:20 +0000