Is violent weather really on the rise?

Dear Tom,
Is there any meteorological explanation for all the violent weather
occurring around the world -- cyclones, earthquakes, tornadoes, etc.?
Barbara Hampton, Chicago
Dear Barbara,
Worldwide, increases in reported severe weather occurrences result from far
larger populations in weather-vulnerable areas and better communication of
the events rather than a greater frequency of severe weather.
Consider the U.S. Gulf Coast. Prior to the 1950s, it was sparsely populated,
and landfalling hurricanes often struck between population centers.
Also, note that some phenomena (such as volcanoes, earthquakes and tsunamis)
are geological events, not meteorological. Their occurrence is independent
of the atmosphere and the weather. The U.S. Geological Survey says the
frequency of huge earthquakes (magnitude 7.0 or greater) has remained fairly
constant.