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Volunteers of every age are put to work filling sand bags as the basic battle of man versus nature takes place yet again.
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Forest fires are often in remote areas with difficult access where little can be done to limit damage. As natural events, fires clear areas for new growth to occur, but when the flames turn toward communities, areas housing endangered species, or historic locations, the losses can be devastating.
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Livestock wanders through an abandoned village where trees and houses have collapsed from the explosive eruption of Mt. Colo (Indonesia) and from the weight of the ash.
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Wearing protective clothing and equipment, scientists try to learn from events in progress to further prediction and warning capabilities.
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Controlling or predicting a wildfire is impossible, as shown by the “jumping” pattern of burn locations left behind. Note the burnedout house in the lower righthand corner.
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A whole village would be missing if not for stark steeple of the tallest building in the town as an erupting volcano buries everything in sight under lava and ash.
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A black river of death stands frozen in time as lava hardens after dragging cars for miles along its heated steams.
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A single bolt of lighting can fork to strike numerous locations, igniting fires, downing utility lines, and causing other damage.