ABSTRACT
This chapter rigorously analyzes circumstances and (root) causes of deaths caused by major natural disasters in various geographical scales. Because these two components are interrelated, they are presented simultaneously according to disaster type. Although circumstances and causes are disaster-specific, surprisingly, common causes have been identified among extreme events, even events as apparently divergent as droughts and volcanic eruptions. The root cause of deaths due to those two extreme events is starvation. This chapter discusses major and minor causes of deaths because many of these fatalities are easily preventable. In addition, several recommendations are offered, the implementation of which would reduce disaster-induced fatalities.
