cataclysm

Noun
  1. is a type of: geological phenomenon - a natural phenomenon involving the structure or composition of the earth
    subtypes: nuclear winter - a long period of darkness and extreme cold that scientists predict would follow a full-scale nuclear war; a layer of dust and smoke in the atmosphere would cover the earth and block the rays of the sun; most living organisms would perish
    same as: catastrophe
  2. is a type of: bad luck, misfortune - unnecessary and unforeseen trouble resulting from an unfortunate event
    subtypes:
    • act of god, force majeure, inevitable accident, unavoidable casualty, vis major - a natural and unavoidable catastrophe that interrupts the expected course of events
    • apocalypse - a cosmic cataclysm in which God destroys the ruling powers of evil
    • famine - a severe shortage of food (as through crop failure) resulting in violent hunger and starvation and death
    • kiss of death - something that is ruinous
    • meltdown - a disaster comparable to a nuclear meltdown
    • plague - any large scale calamity (especially when thought to be sent by God)
    • visitation - any disaster or catastrophe
    • tidal wave - an unusual (and often destructive) rise of water along the seashore caused by a storm or a combination of wind and high tide
    • tsunami - a cataclysm resulting from a destructive sea wave caused by an earthquake or volcanic eruption
    same as: calamity, catastrophe, disaster, tragedy

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