Z is for Zombie Apocalypse

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

ZOMBIE APOCALYPSE

Zombie apocalypse is the end of the world when the undead (mindless creatures that are starving for human flesh) take over the world. A virus outbreak is the root cause for the zombie apocalypse that rapidly spreads from coast to coast and county to country. This virus is passed when a zombie bites a human. Soon after the bite, the human dies and transforms into a zombie. This person no longer has any sense, just the hunger for flesh, and it doesn’t matter where they get it from, whether it’s from loved ones, babies, or the elderly. All are fair game.

ZOMBIE CHRYS!

Survivors of the apocalypse seek safety while killing any zombies they come across, which can be done by inflicting damage to the spinal cord or brain, such as a bullet to the forehead or snapped a zombie’s neck. These survivors have to scrounge for food in hostile environments with depleting resources.

The chances of surviving forever in these conditions are slim, as it’s impossible to kill every zombie with their numbers greatly outweighing that of humankind, and with no place completely zombie-free.

QUESTIONS: Are you a zombie fan? Do you believe the zombie apocalypse will happen? What are your favorite zombie movies/TV shows/books? I‘m a huge fan of the Resident Evil movies.

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Now that you've read all (or most) of my disaster posts, it's time to vote for the worst disaster of all! 

I found it interesting reading the comments and finding out which of these disasters you feared. Many of you felt earthquakes were the most devastating natural disaster, and that war was the worst manmade disaster. Several revealed their fears over gas explosions, plagues, and tsunamis as well as their anger over oil spills that hurt the environment. Of course, this all depends on your personal thoughts and experiences. 

So I'm curious... 

What disaster do you think is the worst?

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

W: Wildfire
X: eXtinction
Y: Ypres Battle and All Wars

Z: Zombie Apocalypse

I'll reveal the worst disaster voted by you in my A to Z Recap post which I'll post on IWSG Day (5/6). Thank you for sticking with me throughout this awesome A to Z Challenge! :)

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

Y is for Ypres Battle (And All Wars)

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

YPRES BATTLE AND ALL WARS

During WW1 there were five Battles of Ypres.

On October 19th 1914, British troops entered Ypres unaware of the size of advancing German forces. Although the German troops were larger, most of the soldiers were young and not trained well. Some claims state they only had six weeks of training. 1,500 Germans were killed and 600 more were taken as prisoners. Despite that, neither side could control the area, so a fierce fight ensued. After that first battle, four more occurred. When America entered the war, the Germans were defeated and the fighting at Ypres ended on October 14th 1918, four years after the first battle.

Top Ten Biggest Wars in History:

10. American Civil War (1861 – 1865 )

A war centered on slavery fought between the North and South of America. More than 800,000 people were killed.

9. Soviet War in Afghanistan (1979 – 1989)

A decade-long war fought between the Soviet-led Afghan and the multi-national insurgent groups called the Mujahedeen. The death toll rose to over a million.

8. Vietnam War (1955 – 1975)

A war fought between North Vietnam (supported by the Soviet Union, China, and other communist allies) and South Vietnam (supported by the United States and other non-communist allies).

7. Thirty Years War (1618 – 1648)

This was one of the bloodiest wars centered on religion. It was also the longest conflict in European history.

6. Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1815)

A war sparked by the French revolution. Over 6.5 million people died.

5. Russian Civil War (1917 – 1922)

A war fought between the Bolshevik Red Army and the anti-Bolshevik White Army. Seven million people died.

4. Conquests by the Empire of Japan (1894 – 1945)

During this time period the Empire of Japan caused over 20 million deaths.

3. World War 1 (1914 – 1918)

This is one of the bloodiest global wars in history that was centered in Europe. On one side was the Allies (the United Kingdom, France and Russia), and on the other side was the Central Powers (German and Austria-Hungary). Later, Italy, Japan and the United States joined the Allies and the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria joined the Central Powers. The totally number of casualties was over 37 million.

2. Mongol Conquests (1206 – 1368)

The Mongols brought terror to Europe that resulted in more than 60 million killings.

1. World War 11 (1939 – 1945)

This war resulted in the Holocaust and the use of nuclear weapons. Over 70 million deaths marks this as the deadliest war in world history.

RIP to ALL the souls lost due to these wars and all the wars not listed here.

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

W: Wildfire
X: eXtinction
Y: Ypres Battle and All Wars

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

X is for eXtinction

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

EXTINCTION

Sixty-five million years ago all dinosaur life on Earth became extinct. More than half of the world’s species obliterated. How? Well, that answer hasn’t exactly been answered. Most scientists lean toward an asteroid or comet hitting the Earth. This theory is supported by a layer of rock dated to the extinction event that is rich in the metal Iridium and is found all over the world. Scientists believe this Iridium was scattered by the collision of an asteroid or comet.

FACT: A 110-mile-wide crater in Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula has since been dated to 65 million years ago. Many scientists believe it is this impact that caused the dinosaur extinction.

Another theory is that volcano eruptions are responsible since Iridium can be found in magma. Some scientists even believe both theories could’ve been the cause. In either case, they all agree that dense clouds of dust and toxins blocked out the sun’s rays, darkening and chilling the Earth. When the dust settled, greenhouse gases caused the climate to skyrocket. The freezing then boiling of the world is the ultimate cause of the death of 70% of all plant and animal life on Earth.

QUESTION: Do you think it was an asteroid/comet or volcanic eruptions that caused the extinction of dinosaurs?

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

W: Wildfire
X: eXtinction

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

W is for Wildfire

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

WILDFIRE

Wildfires are uncontrolled fires that destroy countryside and wilderness areas. They are also called brush fires and forest fires. These fires can change directions spontaneously and even jump over roads and rivers. I have seen this, and it is the most frightening and fascinating thing to witness.

My Story: When I was twelve, a series of arson fires erupted in my city (in Florida). I remember going home and seeing the black plumes of smoke rising in the sky and feeling the worst fear I’ve ever experienced before. My best friend’s dad said, “It looks like it’s right next to your house!” Sure enough, it was. I was dropped off at my driveway to see flames consuming the brush and trees a mere foot from my home.

Later, I stood in the middle of the road, helplessly looking on as my family scrambled to save our pets, and firefighters moved into action to save our house. I watched flames eat their way to the edge of the road then skip over the asphalt and blaze to life on the other side.

My home survived, but one of my cats didn’t. Her name was Angel. She had run out the door, toward the fire. She returned late that night badly burned. She died a few days later...on my thirteenth birthday. 

Those fires are still the worst fires to hit my city. And they deeply rooted a fear in me that'll never go away.

FACT: Wildfires can burn for days or weeks, and can consume 100 to 100,000 acres.

While arson is a big cause of wildfires, heat waves and droughts are the leading causes, especially in warm climates with a lot of dry growth. Lightning is another factor.

To prevent wildfires you can:

1. Never throw a cigarette out your car window!

2. Never leave a campfire unattended.

3. Be careful when burning backyard waste. Don’t burn anything in windy conditions, and have a shovel for dirt and a hose or bucket of water on hand.

QUESTION: Have you ever experienced a wildfire? Tell me your story! 

P.S. I'm co-hosting over at Unicorn Bell today. My post is Dear Withdrawn Writer. If you put your writing first, you could probably relate to this.

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

W: Wildfire

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

V is for Volcanic Eruption

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

VOLCANIC ERUPTION

This is a fitting one for today since a volcano erupted in Chile on Wednesday and is still erupting. This is the first time it has erupted in over 42 years.

A volcano is a naturally occurring rupture in the Earth’s crust, generally found near plate tectonics, where lava, volcanic ash, and gases escape from a magma chamber below the surface. Some volcanoes are classified as extinct or dormant. Extinct volcanoes are considered unlikely to erupt again. Dormant volcanoes are quiet but may become active in the future.

FACT: 90% of the world’s earthquakes are located in the Ring of Fire.

Sometimes volcanoes erupt (either by exploding or releasing slow flows of lava) and cause many dangers to humans, animals, and plants. They can emit steam, high-silica lava, low-silica lava, pyroclastic flows, debris flows (lahars), and carbon dioxide.

FACT: Lava is molten rock. The levels of silica in lava determine how “sticky” and thick the lava is. When lava is underground it is called magma.

Rocks torn apart by a violent eruption can be shot into the air with lava. These rocks are called pyroclastic rocks. They fall back to earth as ash or bombs. (If you’ve seen the movie Volcano with Tommy Lee Jones, you’ll remember the lava bombs.)

Pyroclastic flows are fast-moving clouds of hot gas and rock/ash/dust. They can reach speeds up to 450 mph and the gas can reach temperatures as high as 1,830 degrees Fahrenheit. Their volume can be anywhere from a few hundred cubic meters to over a thousand kilometers. These flows destroy everything in its path, buries sites, and burns forests and buildings. The rocks inside the flow can be as big as boulders. People and animals caught inside a pyroclastic flow can die from burns or inhaling hot ash and gas.

As of 2013, these are the most active volcanoes on Earth:

1. Kīlauea in Hawaii has been in continuous eruption since 1983.

2. Mount Etna and Stromboli, in the Mediterranean, have been in "almost continuous eruption" since before the Middle Ages.

3. Mount Yasur, in Vanuatu, has been erupting for over 800 years.

QUESTIONS: Have you ever seen a volcano? Even a dormant one? What are your favorite volcano movies? I like Dante’s Peak and Volcano.

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation
V: Volcanic Eruption

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

U is for Ultraviolet Radiation

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disaster is...

ULTRAVIOLET RADIATION

Ultraviolet is electromagnetic radiation in sunlight. Suntans and sunburns are effects of ultraviolet over-exposure, as is skin cancer. Without the ozone layer protecting Earth, much of the world would be extremely damaged by ultraviolet rays, especially dry lands and the plants and animals that live there.

You may not consider this a disaster, but consider a sudden blast of UV radiation strong enough to scorch the earth and burn you to a crisp. Ouch!

FACT: Some children and young adults with medical conditions (mostly to the eyes) can see ultraviolet wavelengths, although they are usually invisible. Some birds and insects can see near-UV.

We live with both helpful and harmful ultraviolet radiation. The helpful UV radiation offers plant and tree life nutrients to grow, and gives us Vitamin D. The harmful UV radiation causes burns, skin cancer, and cataracts.

To protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation you can:

1. Use sunscreen daily and frequently when outside for long periods of time.

2. Wear UV-protected sunglasses.

3. Avoid tanning beds and sun tanning (especially with baby oil).

4. Utilize shade.

5. Get Vitamin D through a supplement instead. 

QUESTION: Are you a sun person?

I live in Florida but the sun and I don't get along.

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami
U: Ultraviolet Radiation

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!

T is for Tornado and Tsunami

My theme for my 2015 A to Z Challenge came from my Disaster Crimes series. Disasters are a theme in each story, so it got me thinking about all the disasters that occur from natural disasters to manmade disasters.

Today’s disasters are...

TORNADO and TSUNAMI

A tornado is rotating column of air that extends from a parent cumulonimbus thundercloud and touches the ground. When low pressure at the base warms, moist air from the ground rises and rubs against the cold air, creating the start of a funnel cloud. As air is drawn into the funnel’s center and condenses, it stretches. The moment it touches the ground, it’s no longer a funnel cloud but a tornado. Tornadoes that form over water are known as water vortices or water spouts.

FACT: Places in the West, such as Kansas, have dust devils, which are tornadoes made of dust.

Tornadoes are very dangerous and can cause a lot of damage. The wind can pick up cars and rip off rooftops. Because tornadoes are narrow, one area can be completely destroyed while another area close by can be untouched.

FACT: Tornadoes are usually short-lived, covering about 1-2 miles.

F  Scale:

F0 65-85mph

F1 86-110mph

F2 111-135mph

F3 136-166mph

F4 167-200mph

F5 over 200mph

Tsunamis are massive ocean waves caused by underwater earthquakes. When the seafloor ruptures, water becomes displaced and rises up and out. As the wave travels toward shore, the size increases drastically.

FACT: Tsunamis travel at 310-500mph, and from crest-to-crest its distance is about 125 miles long.

If you’re ever at the beach when a tsunami hits, you’ll likely notice the water draw back much farther than usual as the wave approaches. When the wave gets closer, the water will rush back to shore and rise rapidly while moving inland.

FACT: Tsunamis can lift boats, vehicles, houses, and people.

After about 20 minutes, the water will reverse quickly and strongly, taking debris and people out to sea.

QUESTIONS: Have you ever experienced a tornado? What are your favorite tornado/tsunami movies? I love Twister!

Disasters:

A: Avalanche

B: Blizzard and Blackout

C: Cyclone

D: Drought and Dust Storm
E: Earthquake
F: Flood

G: Gas Explosion
H: Hailstorm
I: Ice Storm and Iceberg
J. Judgment Day

K: Killings
L: Limnic Eruption and Lightning Storm
M: Mudslide
N: Nuclear Meltdown
O: Oil Spill

P: Plague
Q: Quasar Explosion
R: Rockfall
S: Solar Flare and Sinkhole
T: Tornado and Tsunami

I'm a member of Tremp's Troops!