Disasters are fascinating, awe-inspiring, and scary, all at the same time. Lean the facts about many of the worst disasters in human history. Then get some tips on how to prepare for disasters and stay safe.

Toxic sludge poisons New York state neighborhood -- "Door to hell" burns for decades in Turkmenistan desert -- E-waste harms environment in Chinese town -- Sulfur dioxide sickens Iraqis near Mosul -- Irrigation shrinks Asia's Aral Sea -- Nuclear disaster creates a ghost town in Ukraine -- Cyanide spill in Romania is environmental catastrophe -- Chemical explosion in China forces evacuation -- Toxic gas leak is India's worst industrial accident -- Huge floating garbage patch threatens marine life -- Gulf oil spill is worst in US history -- Earthquake leads to nuclear meltdown in Japan -- Staying safe if there is a human-made disaster.