cataclysms
World-altering upheavals
Cataclysms are sudden, violent upheavals that cause massive destruction or change.
The word applies to natural disasters—floods, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions—and to catastrophic events in human affairs: wars, revolutions, economic collapses.
The cataclysms of the twentieth century reshaped the world order.
A cataclysm implies not just destruction but transformation; things cannot return to what they were before.
Seismic ground movement
- tsunamiSeismic sea surge
- volcanic eruptionExplosive geological discharge
- landslideMass of earth falling
- tectonic shiftFundamental structural transformation
seismic · fault line · magnitude · epicenter · aftershock · tremor · liquefaction · subduction
Violent governmental overthrow
- collapseSudden structural failure
- upheavalViolent disturbance of order
- downfallSudden loss of power
- overthrowForcible removal from power
fall of Rome · war · plague · Black Death · pandemic · genocide · destruction · chaos
Sun-orbiting rocky mass
- meteorGlowing atmospheric space rock
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
- dinosaursExtinct prehistoric reptiles
collision · comet · fireball · crater · bolide · cosmic · planetary · mass extinction
Severe overflow of water
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- NoahBiblical vessel builder
- arkLarge rescue vessel
- submersionBeing entirely underwater
floodwaters · biblical · Gilgamesh · drowning · overflow · torrent · surge · catastrophic flooding
Era of massive glaciation
- glaciationIce sheet spreading process
- desertificationLand becoming barren, infertile
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
- megastormExceptionally large severe weather
climate shift · mass extinction · permafrost · sea level rise · superstorm · atmospheric · environmental · ocean acidification
earthquake
Seismic ground movement
- tsunamiSeismic sea surge
- volcanic eruptionExplosive geological discharge
- landslideMass of earth falling
tectonic shift · seismic · fault line · magnitude · epicenter · aftershock · tremor · liquefaction · subduction · rupture
revolution
Violent governmental overthrow
overthrow · fall of Rome · war · plague · Black Death · pandemic · genocide · destruction · chaos · anarchy
asteroid
Sun-orbiting rocky mass
- meteorGlowing atmospheric space rock
- impactForceful contact or consequence
- extinctionComplete vanishing of a species
dinosaurs · collision · comet · fireball · crater · bolide · cosmic · planetary · mass extinction · debris
deluge
Severe overflow of water
- inundationOverwhelming surge of water
- NoahBiblical vessel builder
- arkLarge rescue vessel
submersion · floodwaters · biblical · Gilgamesh · drowning · overflow · torrent · surge · catastrophic flooding · Johnstown
ice age
Era of massive glaciation
- glaciationIce sheet spreading process
- desertificationLand becoming barren, infertile
- droughtProlonged water scarcity
megastorm · climate shift · mass extinction · permafrost · sea level rise · superstorm · atmospheric · environmental · ocean acidification · ecosystem collapse
cataclysmstrivialities
Insignificant matters
hiccups · inconveniences · trifles · blips · ripples
cataclysmsblessings
Favors from the divine
miracles · windfalls · godsends · boons · golden ages
cataclysmsstability
Resistance to displacement
equilibrium · tranquility · calm · peace · order
- cataclysmic eventsDisasters causing massive sudden change