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Arizona Natural Disasters and Weather Extremes

 
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The chance of earthquake damage in Arizona is much lower than the national average. The risk of tornado damage in Arizona is much lower than the national average.

Topics:Earthquake IndexVolcano IndexTornado IndexOther Weather Extremes EventsVolcanos NearbyHistorical Earthquake EventsHistorical Tornado Events

Earthquake Index, #34

Arizona
0.13
U.S.
1.81

The earthquake index value is calculated based on historical earthquake events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the earthquake level in a region. A higher earthquake index value means a higher chance of an earthquake.

Volcano Index, #10

Arizona
0.0015
U.S.
0.0023

The volcano index value is calculated based on the currently known volcanoes using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the possibility of a region being affected by a possible volcano eruption. A higher volcano index value means a higher chance of being affected.

Tornado Index, #40

Arizona
22.18
U.S.
136.45

The tornado index value is calculated based on historical tornado events data using USA.com algorithms. It is an indicator of the tornado level in a region. A higher tornado index value means a higher chance of tornado events.

Other Weather Extremes Events

A total of 5,461 other weather extremes events from 1950 to 2010 were recorded in Arizona. The following is a break down of these events:

TypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCountTypeCount
Avalanche:1Blizzard:6Cold:7Dense Fog:25Drought:7
Dust Storm:182Flood:1,029Hail:813Heat:19Heavy Snow:216
High Surf:0Hurricane:0Ice Storm:3Landslide:10Strong Wind:310
Thunderstorm Winds:1,970Tropical Storm:1Wildfire:72Winter Storm:88Winter Weather:8
Other:694 

Volcanos Nearby

A total of 10 volcanoes are found in or near Arizona.

NameRegionLatitudeLongitudeElevation (foot)TypeStatusLast Eruption
Sunset CraterUS-Arizona, United States35.37-111.52447Cinder coneDendrochronologyLast known eruption A.D. 1-1499
Uinkaret FieldUS-Arizona, United States36.38-113.131555Volcanic fieldHoloceneUndated, but probable Holocene eruption
PinacateMexico, Mexico31.772-113.4981200Cinder coneHoloceneUndated, but probable Holocene eruption
Zuni-BanderaUS-New Mexico, United States34.8-1082550Volcanic fieldAnthropologyLast known eruption B.C. (Holocene)
Bald KnollUS-Utah, United States37.328-112.4082135Cinder coneHoloceneUnknown
KolobUS-Utah, United States37.33-113.122727Volcanic fieldHoloceneUnknown
Santa ClaraUS-Utah, United States37.257-113.6251465Volcanic fieldHoloceneUndated, but probable Holocene eruption
AmboyUS-California, United States34.55-115.78288Cinder coneHoloceneUndated, but probable Holocene eruption
Markagunt PlateauUS-Utah, United States37.58-112.672840Volcanic fieldDendrochronologyLast known eruption A.D. 1-1499
Prieto, CerroMexico, Mexico32.418-115.305223Lava domeHoloceneUnknown

Historical Earthquake Events

A total of 23 historical earthquake events that had recorded magnitudes of 3.5 or above found in Arizona.

DateMagnitudeDepth (km)LatitudeLongitude
1980-06-096.1532.22-114.98
1976-02-045.21234.66-112.5
1959-10-135N/A35.5-111.5
1978-03-115532.26-115.12
1978-03-124.9532.26-115.11
1957-07-044.8N/A32-113
1978-03-124.7532.23-115.14
1977-01-174.62532.47-115.18
1976-02-094.61034.61-112.53
1962-02-154.5N/A36.9-112.4
1969-12-254.4N/A33.4-110.6
1978-03-164.2532.3-115.12
1971-03-084.1936.79-112.14
1963-09-114.1N/A33.2-110.7
1971-03-094.1936.79-112.14
1942-08-1141635.82-114.63
1972-04-203.7535.3-111.6
1971-11-043.7535.2-112.2
1980-06-013.6535.39-111.99
1978-03-103.5532.33-115.03
1976-04-193.5535.39-109.1
1976-02-233.51034.68-112.43
1941-03-223.5N/A36-114.6

Historical Tornado Events

A total of 17 historical tornado events that had recorded magnitude of 2 or above found in Arizona.

DateMagnitudeStart Lat/LogEnd Lat/LogLengthWidthFatalitiesInjuriesProperty DamageCrop DamageAffected County
1957-08-04332°51'N / 113°12'W12.00 Miles33 Yards003K0Maricopa
1972-08-10334°45'N / 112°28'W000K0Yavapai
2010-10-06335°55'N / 111°00'W00200K0KCoconino
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: A tornado collapsed three 500 KV electrical transmission towers. The towers were of metal truss construction. One tower was completely flattened. Photographic evidence and first-hand reports were provided by Arizona Public Service. Tornado damage intensity is rated at EF-3. Damage path length indeterminable. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center over California pushed abundant moisture over Arizona producing widespread thunderstorms with numerous severe storms. Strong vertical wind shear...with helicity in the 400-450 range...also provided an environment for supper cell development. There were eight confirmed tornadoes on October 6, 2010 across northern Arizona. This breaks the old record for the most tornadoes in Arizona for one day. The Arizona Governor signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino Country for $200,000 to be used for emergency response and public infrastructure repair.
1959-08-17232°36'N / 114°06'W01250K0Yuma
1964-08-27232°12'N / 111°01'W2925K0Pima
1968-07-04233°24'N / 111°45'W0225K0Maricopa
1968-10-03233°30'N / 112°24'W33°30'N / 112°25'W03250K0Maricopa
1971-08-30233°22'N / 111°55'W33°25'N / 111°52'W4.70 Miles400 Yards0412.5M0Maricopa
1971-09-14233°27'N / 112°16'W0025K0Maricopa
1972-06-21233°28'N / 112°00'W33°39'N / 111°55'W13.50 Miles33 Yards0325.0M0Maricopa
1992-10-24235°26'N / 111°32'W35°30'N / 111°30'W5.50 Miles200 Yards0025K0Coconino
1993-01-17233°37'N / 111°54'W2.10 Miles50 Yards005.0M0Maricopa
 Brief Description: Eighteen homes sustained damage, 4 with major damage, many trees and signs blown over by tornado. Most damage occurred when the tornado moved east from 59th and Clinton to 72nd and Cholla. Controllers from the nearby Scottsdale Airport watched this tornado move through this ,north Scottsdale residential area.
1994-07-28232°23'N / 111°01'W2.00 Miles25 Yards00500K0Pima
 Brief Description: A tornado touched down on the Hill Top area of northwest Tucson. The tornado travelled in a west-northwest direction, and its width varied from about a yard to 50 yards. The 7700 blocks of Soledad and Redwing Circle were particularly hit hard. A back porch and much of the roof of one home was destroyed, an entire roof was removed from another house and scattered in nearby yards, two large evaporative coolers were thrown into a backyard swimming pool, and large trees were uprooted. Also, cars were damaged by flying debris, windows were shattered, and a brick wall was flattened.
2010-10-06234°59'N / 111°52'W35°28'N / 111°46'W34.00 Miles400 Yards071.0M0KCoconino
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Considerable structural damage in and around the community of Bellemont. Aerial and ground surveys verified a semi-continuous tornado path from at least 15 miles south of Bellemont, extending northward crossing Highway 180 three times northwest of Flagstaff. The tornado crossed Highway 180 near mile posts 230, 234, and 240. Total discontinuous path length of at least 34 miles. Damage survey strongly suggests tornadic cycling with at least 2 tornadoes likely. Tornado passed 2/3 mile east of the NWS Bellemont Weather Forecast office. Damage from this tornado included: -7 minor injuries. -Over 100 homes damaged in Bellemont, 21 homes sustaining significant damage (deemed uninhabitable). -At least one business (RV Sales) with damage with 30+ RV units demolished and tossed onto Interstate 40. Interstate closed for several hours. -At least one overturned truck on the Interstate. -Numerous forest roads blocked, campers stranded by fallen trees. -Around 75 power poles knocked down. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center over California pushed abundant moisture over Arizona producing widespread thunderstorms with numerous severe storms. Strong vertical wind shear...with helicity in the 400-450 range...also provided an environment for supper cell development. There were eight confirmed tornadoes on October 6, 2010 across northern Arizona. This breaks the old record for the most tornadoes in Arizona for one day. The Arizona Governor signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino Country for $200,000 to be used for emergency response and public infrastructure repair.
2010-10-06234°58'N / 111°52'W35°01'N / 111°52'W3.00 Miles200 Yards000K0KCoconino
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Short path of significant tornado damage between two other tracks near the Mogollon Rim. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center over California pushed abundant moisture over Arizona producing widespread thunderstorms with numerous severe storms. Strong vertical wind shear...with helicity in the 400-450 range...also provided an environment for supper cell development. There were eight confirmed tornadoes on October 6, 2010 across northern Arizona. This breaks the old record for the most tornadoes in Arizona for one day. The Arizona Governor signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino Country for $200,000 to be used for emergency response and public infrastructure repair.
2010-10-06235°00'N / 111°52'W35°29'N / 111°46'W32.00 Miles800 Yards00400K0KCoconino
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Bellemont Tornado #2 (5:54 - 6:50 AM): This tornado caused extensive forest damage (primarily south of Bellemont), along a discontinuous track which extended from 15 miles south of Bellemont, eventually crossing Hwy 180 northwest of Flagstaff. Very wide, severe forest damage (EF-2) occurred in the forest south of Bellemont. Tornado visually sighted by NWS staff at the Bellemont Weather Forecast Office. Tornado passed 1/3 mile west of the NWS Bellemont Weather Forecast office. Additional damage stats include: -28 rail cars derailed in Bellemont. -Semi trucks and trailers were overturned on I-40. -Power poles snapped on Camp Navajo. -Numerous forest roads blocked and campers were stranded by fallen trees. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center over California pushed abundant moisture over Arizona producing widespread thunderstorms with numerous severe storms. Strong vertical wind shear...with helicity in the 400-450 range...also provided an environment for supper cell development. There were eight confirmed tornadoes on October 6, 2010 across northern Arizona. This breaks the old record for the most tornadoes in Arizona for one day. The Arizona Governor signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino Country for $200,000 to be used for emergency response and public infrastructure repair.
2010-10-06234°58'N / 111°55'W35°15'N / 111°51'W19.00 Miles500 Yards000K0KCoconino
 Brief Description: EVENT NARRATIVE: Garjon Tank Tornado (6:50 - 7:14 AM MST): This tornado caused extensive forest damage south of Bellemont. Based on severity of forest damage, this tornado is rated an EF-2. There was some evidence of tornadic cycling with three individual tornadoes possible. Tornado passed 2 miles west of the National Weather Service Office. EPISODE NARRATIVE: A strong low pressure center over California pushed abundant moisture over Arizona producing widespread thunderstorms with numerous severe storms. Strong vertical wind shear...with helicity in the 400-450 range...also provided an environment for supper cell development. There were eight confirmed tornadoes on October 6, 2010 across northern Arizona. This breaks the old record for the most tornadoes in Arizona for one day. The Arizona Governor signed a declaration of emergency for Coconino Country for $200,000 to be used for emergency response and public infrastructure repair.


* The information on this page is based on the global volcano database, the U.S. earthquake database of 1638-1985, and the U.S. Tornado and Weather Extremes database of 1950-2010.


 
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