Natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes are caused by various natural processes and phenomena. Earthquakes occur when there is a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust, usually due to movement along fault lines. Hurricanes, on the other hand, form over warm ocean waters when moist air rises and condenses to form clouds and storms. Both earthquakes and hurricanes are natural events that are part of the Earth's dynamic systems and can have devastating impacts on the environment and human populations.