Cataclysm (noun)

A catastrophic event, such as a flood, earthquake, or other natural disaster, that causes widespread destruction and loss of life.

Origin:

The word cataclysm is derived from the greek words kataklysmos, which means a flood or a deluge, and kataklyzein, which means to wash away, which refers to the catastrophic event that causes destruction.

Examples:

1. The tsunami was a cataclysm that caused widespread destruction.
2. The hurricane was a cataclysm that caused widespread flooding.
3. The volcanic eruption was a cataclysm that caused widespread destruction and loss of life.
4. The nuclear accident was a cataclysm that caused widespread radiation contamination.
5. The asteroid impact was a cataclysm that caused widespread extinction.