Raging Planet

Avalanches are at last becoming predictable if not preventable. This program shares what scientists have learned about the causes of avalanches and, through the stories of people caught in them, why avalanches are so deadly.

The program describes the stories of several people who barley survived sudden blizzards in a car, a tent, a snow cave and in the open. The lucky victims spent weeks stranded. The unlucky one lost limbs or loved ones.

This installment looks at the effect of earthquakes on California, Tokyo, South China and Mexico City, on buildings, livestock and humans.

Observing wildfires along the California coast and Texas, including a blow-by-blow account of the 1996 fire in Yosemite National Park as seen through the eyes of firefighters on the front lines. Also: the latest technology to fight forest fires, including infrared cameras and miniature explosives.

This program tells the story of several unexpected floods that arose so suddenly that people in their paths had hardly any time to react to reach safety

This program tells the stories of several people who just barely survived hurricanes. It explains how hurricanes are formed and the phenomena that cause so much damage; the eye wall and storm surge.

This program explores lightning in all its manifestations including upward lighting, stepped leaders and sprites with dozens of exemplary videos. It also examines how planes and cars are unaffected by lightning strikes while people suffer severely but somehow often survive the experience.

This episode explores tidal waves or tsunamis, which are formed by undersea earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides/asteroids into a body of water. The Hilo, Hawaii tsunamis of 1946 and 1960 are examined, as well as others that hit Japan and other locations around the Pacific rim.

Every volcano has its own personality. This program visits several to display their diverse behavior and dangers.