Different types of disasters have different types of impacts on the environment, and vice versa, are exacerbated by different factors of the environment. The following table provides a quick snapshot of the various impacts and factors.

Earthquake
Potential environmental impacts	Natural gas leaks, household and industrial chemical releases from damaged containers. Damage to industrial facilities resulting in toxic release. Building waste debris, and potential mix of hazardous materials
Exacerbating environmental factors	Topography and land cover Building codes and urban planning/urbanization processes
Flood, storms, hurricanes, typhoons, cyclones
Potential environmental impacts	Sewage overflow and chemical releases from roads, farms and factories; Hazardous debris – chemicals, medical and other materials as disaster debris; water-damaged household chemicals (paint, pesticides, solvents); unsafe water supplies Ground and surface water contamination Loss of topsoil due to rapid drain of runoff.
Exacerbating environmental factors	Habitat and ecosystem destruction (e.g. coral reefs and mangroves) Deforestation and water siltation Urbanization and land use/land cover changes
Forest fires
Potential environmental impacts	Loss of biodiversity and ecologically sensitive habitats. Air pollution from smoke and haze
Exacerbating environmental factors	Climate change Deforestation and land use/land cover changes
Droughts
Potential environmental impacts	Habitat and crop destruction Water scarcity
Exacerbating environmental factors	Urbanization and unsustainable resource consumption Deforestation and land use/land cover changes
Landslides
Potential environmental impacts	Damage/deterioration of habitat ecosystems Land use functions, including agriculture Ground and surface water contamination
Exacerbating environmental factors	Deforestation Land use/land cover changes