Which of the following is a natural disaster that particularly affects the Caribbean?

Hurricanes are a significant natural disaster that predominantly affects the Caribbean region due to its geographical location. The Caribbean lies in the Atlantic hurricane belt, where warm ocean waters and atmospheric conditions are conducive to the formation of hurricanes. These powerful storms can lead to devastating winds, heavy rainfall, and subsequent flooding, causing extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and ecosystems in the area.

The importance of understanding hurricanes specifically in the context of the Caribbean highlights how the unique climate and geography of the islands make them particularly vulnerable to such storms. While earthquakes can occur in the region, they are not as frequent or predictable as hurricanes. Likewise, torrential floods can result from various weather patterns, but hurricanes are the primary and most destructive force capable of generating severe flooding across multiple islands in a relatively short time. Tornadoes, while capable of causing localized destruction, are much less common in the Caribbean. Thus, hurricanes stand out as the most impactful natural disaster affecting the region.