Commentary: Japan’s earthquake shows extreme heat can turn one disaster into two

As the climate changes, the impact of any disaster will increasingly depend not only on the primary event but also on the climatic conditions in which it unfolds, says a climatology professor.

Japan’s earthquake shows extreme heat can turn one disaster into two

Emergency workers attempting to rescue survivors after a recent earthquake in Kyushu, Japan, also had to cope with extreme summer heat. After the earthquake killed at least 38 people and left thousands homeless in late July, daytime temperatures climbed into the high 30°Cs and in some places hit 40°C for the first time