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This page is the DICTIONARY. It says what each code MEANS — the definition the coder applies, and what the code includes and excludes — so you can decide whether it is the right one. For the full value list and how the codes nest, use the complete event taxonomy.
Geophysical hazards, meteorological events, climate events, and environmental pollution Filter with GET /api/v2/events?family=cameoplus&cameoplus_domain=ENVIRONMENT, or on a specific subcategory code below. Every code in this domain starts EN. Goldstein does not apply to this domain — see the domain index. How the metrics read in this domain. magnitude is an EM-DAT-style realized-impact severity tier (1 minor local · 3 significant local · 5 severe regional · 7 major/national · 9-10 catastrophic) — NOT a scientific scale reading; a moment magnitude is used only when the event IS an earthquake and the source states one

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EN01

GEOPHYSICAL HAZARD A discrete geophysical event: earthquake (magnitude Mw 4.5+ for coastal/populated areas; Mw 5.5+ for remote areas), volcanic eruption (any eruption with ash cloud, lava flow, or evacuation), tsunami (any confirmed wave event), major landslide or rockfall causing casualties or significant infrastructure damage, major sinkhole event with widespread impact. Scale guidance: report the scientific magnitude or scale measure where available (Mw for earthquakes, VEI for volcanoes). Also covers
  • earthquake
  • volcanic eruption
  • tsunami
  • landslide
  • sinkhole

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EN02

METEOROLOGICAL HAZARD A discrete extreme weather event: tropical cyclone/hurricane/typhoon (Category 2+ or equivalent, or any causing significant casualties), severe flooding (affecting tens of thousands or causing major displacement), extreme heatwave (sustained temperature records with documented casualties or crop failure), severe drought reaching official declaration or crisis threshold, major wildfire (burning >100,000 hectares or causing mass evacuation), major blizzard/winter storm with national impact. Scale guidance: use Saffir-Simpson category for hurricanes, affected area for floods, temperature deviation for heatwaves. Also covers
  • hurricane
  • typhoon
  • cyclone
  • flood
  • heatwave
  • blizzard
  • tornado
  • drought
  • wildfire

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EN03

CLIMATE EVENT A discrete, observable climate system event or anomaly with measurable real-world impact — not just a scientific announcement. The event must involve an observable physical phenomenon (not merely a data release or model projection) and cause documented real-world consequences (casualties, displacement, ecosystem damage, infrastructure failure, crop failure). Also covers
  • record temperature
  • glacier collapse
  • ice shelf break
  • sea level anomaly
  • record heatwave causing documented casualties or crop failure
  • glacier or ice shelf collapse triggering downstream flooding or sea level change
  • marine heatwave causing confirmed coral bleaching die-off
  • confirmed ocean heat anomaly causing fish stock collapse
  • ice sheet calving event of unusual scale with documented consequences
Does not cover
  • Scientific announcements alone (e.g., “2023 confirmed as hottest year on record”) require ALSO a documented real-world impact to be codeable — if the record is purely statistical without immediate physical consequence, code as SKIP or use lower confidence with EN03 noting the announcement only.

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EN04

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION EVENT A discrete large-scale environmental contamination or industrial disaster: major oil spill (>10,000 barrels or affecting protected coastline/ecology), industrial chemical leak or explosion causing evacuation or casualties, nuclear contamination event (radiation release, confirmed contamination of water/soil), major mine tailings dam failure, large-scale toxic waste discharge. Also covers
  • major oil spill
  • chemical leak
  • industrial disaster
  • nuclear contamination
Does not cover
  • Some events bridge both (e.g., dam failure causing flood → use EN04 if dam failure is the primary event; EN02 if extreme rain is the primary cause).

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EN05

ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY OR AGREEMENT A concrete governmental or international environmental policy action: climate accord signed or ratified, emissions reduction target committed (binding, with specific numbers), carbon pricing scheme enacted, major emissions regulation passed, international environmental treaty entered into force, carbon border adjustment mechanism implemented. The action must be TAKEN, not just proposed. Also covers
  • emissions target
  • climate accord
  • environmental regulation
  • carbon market event
Does not cover
  • ENVIRONMENTAL POLICY TIMING: code EN05 at the point of signature, ratification, or implementation — not at the point of proposal or negotiation. COP agreements: code when the text is adopted/finalized.