Which one among the following is not an atmospheric natural disaster ?

Natural disasters are classified based on their origin. Atmospheric disasters (often grouped as meteorological or climatological) originate from atmospheric processes. Drought is classified as a climatological or weather-associated hazard resulting from prolonged inadequate rainfall [3]. Hailstorms and frost are meteorological hazards originating from atmospheric instability and extreme temperature conditions [2]. Specifically, hailstorms are associated with thunderstorms and convectional uplift [2], while frost is an atmospheric phenomenon of a meteorological nature [2]. In contrast, an avalanche is classified as a geophysical or geological hazard [3]. It involves the rapid mass movement of snow or debris down a slope, primarily driven by gravity and the morphology of the terrain rather than purely atmospheric conditions [4]. Therefore, while drought, hailstorms, and frost are atmospheric in nature, an avalanche is a geological/geophysical disaster [3].

Sources

1. [1] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Types of Droughts > p. 65
2. [3] Geography of India ,Majid Husain, (McGrawHill 9th ed.) > Chapter 17: Contemporary Issues > NATURAL DISASTERS > p. 1
3. [2] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > thunderstorms > p. 51
4. [4] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Avalanches are commonly divided in the following categories: > p. 45