8 Types of Apocalypse, Explained
What is Post Apocalyptic Fiction? → 8 Types of Apocalypse, Explained
There's something strangely alluring about the end of the world. Whether it be a cataclysmic event or the slow crawl of entropy, the prospect of Armageddon is enough to make even the most rational person take a step back and consider their place in the universe.
Although the end of the world is often thought of as a single event, there are many different types of apocalypse. From natural disasters to extraterrestrial invasions, there are endless ways the world could come to an end. In this blog post, we're going to explore some of the most common types of apocalypse and what they might entail--and share a few book and film recommendations to help you get a taste of each disaster scenario.
Buckle up – it's going to be a wild ride!
1. Nuclear Apocalypse
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It's fair to argue that post-apocalyptic fiction owes its existence to nuclear war, with most of the genre's classic novels written by authors in the 50s and 60s as they lived under the ever-present threat of nuclear war. For the first time, warfare had escalated to a point where the entire world - not just individual nations - could be destroyed at the push of a button.
The very thought of a nuclear apocalypse is enough to make most people's skin crawl, with the devastation - cities flattened, people vapourised, skies scorched and blackened for generations - that would be caused by an atomic bomb almost too horrible to contemplate. And yet, there is a strange fascination with the idea of the world being destroyed by nuclear war. Many of the genre's best books and films explore the consequences of nuclear war and mass civilizational collapse, following the few survivors left to fend for themselves in a hostile world full of radiation and, in some cases, mutated creatures.
Examples of nuclear apocalypse fiction:
Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M Miller
2. Zombie Apocalypse
You might like: The 21 Best Zombie Books
You know how this plays out: some kind of virus, mutation or supernatural plague spreads like wildfire through world. Most people die outright, but some unlucky few are transformed into sentient fleshbags, shuffling mockeries of all that is good and human: zombies. The zombies can't be killed (obviously), so they spread the disease virtually unhindered, biting and killing their way around the earth until humanity's few survivors find themselves cowering in bunkers, remote rural settlements or ruined cities. The infected become mindless, flesh-eating creatures, and the few remaining non-infected humans must fight for their lives.
Although it is usually presented as a horror story, the zombie apocalypse can also be a commentary on society, human nature, and our relationship with technology. Below are just a few examples of books and films that feature zombie apocalypse:
Examples of zombie apocalypse:
The Walking Dead by Robert Kirkman
Feed by Mira Grant
3. Pandemic Apocalypse
You might like: The 15 Best Pandemic Books
A pandemic apocalypse is a scenario in which a virus or other pathogen wipes out a large portion of the human population. In some cases, the pandemic is caused by a natural outbreak; in others, it might be the result of a biological weapon. In either case, the results are devastating: widespread death, panic and chaos as society breaks down.
A pandemic apocalypse is one of the most plausible types of apocalypse, and it's a scenario that we're currently living through with the outbreak of coronavirus. While the current pandemic isn't (yet) on the scale of some of the fictional examples below, it's still a grim reminder of how quickly a virus can spread and how easily civilization can break down.
Examples of pandemic apocalypse:
Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel
The Last Man by Mary Shelley
Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
4. Alien Apocalypse
Picture an alien apocalypse. A giant spaceship looms overhead, blotting out the sun. Strange, slimy creatures pour out of the ship, rampaging through the streets and devouring anyone they come across. Humanity is fighting for its very survival. This is the stuff of science fiction nightmares, but it's also a popular movie and book genre.
From "The War of the Worlds" to "Alien" to "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy," stories of an alien apocalypse are captivating and thought-provoking. They offer a glimpse into what could happen if we were invaded by extraterrestrial life, tapping into our fears about being overpowered and outnumbered by a more advanced civilization, and making us question our place in the universe. If you're looking for some mind-bending alien apocalypse fiction, check out these examples:
Examples of alien apocalypse:
The War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
5. Climate Change Apocalypse
You might like: The 8 Best Climate Fiction Books
A natural disaster has struck, and the world as we know it has come to an end. The skies are dark, the air is thick with dust and debris, and the ground is covered in rubble. This is the end of the world as we know it. But it's not the end of the story. In the midst of this apocalyptic landscape, there are those who have survived. They are the ones who will rebuild the world, and their stories will be told in the books and films that feature natural disaster apocalypse. These are the stories of hope and courage in the face of adversity. They are the stories that will inspire us to rebuild our world and make it even better than it was before.
The natural disaster apocalypse is a popular trope in fiction, with books and films such as The Day after Tomorrow, Deep Impact, and Armageddon depicting the catastrophic consequences of things like hurricanes, earthquakes, and volcanoes. These stories typically involve a group of survivors who must band together to survive the aftermath of the disaster. While the natural disaster apocalypse is often portrayed as a dramatic event, it can also be a very real threat. Climate change is increasing the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and some scientists believe that it could eventually lead to an apocalyptic event
Examples of climate change apocalypse:
The Day after Tomorrow by Whitley Strieber
6. Religious Rapture Apocalypse
The religious rapture apocalypse is a popular motif in fiction, often used to explore themes of faith, morality, and human nature. In these stories, the world comes to an end not through natural disaster or nuclear war, but through the intervention of a higher power. This can take the form of God sending angels to whisk away the faithful, or of Jesus returning to judge the living and the dead. Whatever the specifics, the religious rapture apocalypse is a powerful way to explore the idea of an all-powerful being who decides the fate of humanity.
Books and films that have featured a religious rapture apocalypse include Stephen King's The Stand, Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jenkins's Left Behind series, and Terry Gilliam's film Brazil. In each of these works, the rapture is presented as a shocking and transformative event, one that leaves those who remain behind struggling to make sense of a world that has suddenly turned upside down. Whether you find these stories thrilling or disturbing, they all offer a unique perspective on what it means to be human in the face of catastrophe.
Examples of religious rapture apocalypse:
The Stand by Stephen King
Left Behind (film)
7. Asteroid Apocalypse
An asteroid apocalypse is a scenario in which an asteroid impacts the earth, causing widespread destruction. In most cases, the asteroid is large enough to cause global devastation, wiping out entire cities and leaving the planet uninhabitable. The impact of an asteroid can also create huge waves, known as tsunamis, which can destroy coastal areas. In some cases, the asteroid may also release dust and debris into the atmosphere, blocking out the sun and causing a nuclear winter.
While an asteroid apocalypse may seem like something out of a science fiction movie, it is actually a very real possibility. Scientists have found evidence that an asteroid impact was responsible for the extinction of the dinosaurs, and there is always the possibility that another one could hit our planet in the future. While we may not be able to stop an asteroid from hitting the earth, we can take steps to prepare for such an event.
Examples of asteroid apocalypse:
Deep Impact (film)
Armageddon (film)
2012 (film)
8. Technological Failure Apocalypse
In a technology failure apocalypse, the world as we know it comes to an end because of a failure of technology. This can be caused by a natural disaster, such as an EMP pulse from a solar flare, or by a man-made disaster, such as a nuclear war. Whatever the cause, the result is the same: all electronic devices are destroyed, leaving humanity to fend for itself in a world without electricity.
A technology failure apocalypse is a frightening prospect, but it is also one that feels all too real. In our increasingly reliant on technology, it is not hard to imagine a scenario in which we are suddenly and completely cut off from the grid. This could happen due to a natural disaster, an act of terrorism, or even just a simple power outage.
Examples of technology failure apocalypse:
One Second After by William R. Forstchen
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
The apocalypse is a fascinating topic, and it's one that has been explored in books and films for years. While the exact definition of "apocalypse" may vary, these are 8 common types that you're likely to come across. If you're interested in learning more about the apocalypse or just want to explore some interesting fictional worlds, then be sure to check out these examples.
