noun
A somewhat formal or literary term for a natural disaster, especially one involving the earth such as an earthquake or volcanic eruption. Often used in contrast with 天変 (heavenly phenomena).
天変地異が続く年だった。
It was a year of continuous extraordinary natural phenomena and disasters.
地異に備えて防災グッズを用意する。
Prepare emergency supplies in case of a natural disaster.
A set phrase meaning 'extraordinary natural phenomena and disasters', combining 天変 (heavenly changes) and 地異 (earthly disasters). 地異 alone is less common and more literary.
The standard modern term for 'natural disaster'. 地異 is more formal and often implies a catastrophic earth-related event.
Compound of 地 (chi, 'earth') and 異 (i, 'strange, unusual'). The term likely originated in classical Chinese and was adopted into Japanese to refer to unusual and destructive earthly phenomena.