From Tornados to Terrorism: 15 Photos That Show the Moment Catastrophe Hit

Written by Rachel Schneider on
An aerial view of a large cruise ship tilted heavily on its side in the water near a rocky shoreline, with several smaller boats and tugboats nearby.

When disaster strikes, the world often stops for a moment as people freeze in shock, fear, or awe. These photos capture those exact instants. From fireballs in the sky to cities swallowed by water and ash, each image in this collection marks the split second when everything changed, whether from terrorism or natural disasters.

1. Mount St. Helens Erupting in Washington (1980)

A red car and a motorcycle are parked on a forested mountain road as a massive, dark volcanic ash cloud billows dramatically into the sky in the distance.
CryptoExodus / Reddit.com

2. Tornado in Oklahoma (1898)

A black-and-white photo of a large tornado touching down in the distance, with dramatic clouds above, trees on both sides, and a dirt road leading toward the storm. Two people are seen walking away from the tornado.
Jonesce / Reddit.com

3. Challenger Space Shuttle Exploding (1986)

A rocket’s smoke trail divides into multiple branches high in the sky, indicating an in-flight anomaly. The sky is clear, and treetops and a light pole are visible at the bottom of the image.
Imconfusedclassic / Reddit.com

4. September 11 Attacks (2001)

Smoke and flames erupt from the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City against a clear blue sky, with nearby buildings and rooftops visible in the foreground.
iDTVADDICT / Reddit.com

5. Deepwater Horizon Oil Rig Explosion (2010)

An offshore oil rig engulfed in flames and thick black smoke, tilting heavily as water is sprayed from multiple directions in an attempt to control the massive fire.
farewelltokings2 / Reddit.com

6. Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster (1986)

Aerial view of a heavily damaged industrial building with collapsed roof and walls, exposed steel framework, and smoke or steam rising from the wreckage.
StrategyTop7612 / Reddit.com

7. Texas City Disaster (1947)

Rows of burned and abandoned cars sit in a field under a smoky sky, with debris scattered in the foreground and power lines visible in the distance.
marquis_of_chaos / Reddit.com

8. Port Chicago Disaster (1944)

Black-and-white photo of a coastal area heavily damaged by a storm, with debris, broken utility poles, overturned cars, and scattered wreckage. The sea is visible in the background along with a partially destroyed pier.
PanzerAbwehrKannon / Reddit.com

9. Hurricane Katrina (2005)

Aerial view of a flooded urban area, with streets and houses submerged under water. A highway runs through the scene, also partially underwater, illustrating severe flooding and widespread damage.
madamsquirrel7 / Reddit.com

10. Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Crisis: Triple Tragedy in Japan (2011)

A massive, dark tsunami wave crashes over a coastal city, engulfing streets, vehicles, and street signs, with debris and water flooding the area as the wave approaches buildings.
trot-trot / Reddit.com

11. Oklahoma City Bombing (1995)

A damaged building with a collapsed facade, burnt-out vehicles, and debris scattered in the foreground. A crane and rescue workers are present amid the rubble under a clear sky.
Staff Sergeant Preston Chasteen / Wikipedia

12. Costa Concordia Shipwreck (2012)

A large cruise ship is tipped on its side in the water near a red lighthouse, with several yellow lifeboats docked in the foreground and small boats nearby.
UserDeleted / Reddit.com

13. San Francisco Earthquake and Fire (1906)

A historic street scene shows people standing amid rubble as smoke billows from burning buildings in the distance, likely after a disaster; debris and damaged structures line the city street.
BaptistePierre / Reddit.com

14. The Great New England Hurricane (1938)

A black-and-white photo shows a coastal road covered in rubble and debris, damaged buildings on the left, and rocks scattered along the shoreline. An old car is parked near the ruined houses, indicating storm or disaster aftermath.
LurkingProvidence / Reddit.com

15. The Halifax Explosion (1917)

A large cloud of smoke rises into the sky above silhouetted people standing on a rooftop, watching the event unfold during daylight.
unl0veable / Reddit.com

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