Quick question: is the only way to experience the new natural disasters to play Apocalypse mode?

[Depravo]

I'd like the disasters to be on the table without having my lovingly constructed civ pelted off the map by meteors in the endgame.

 

[Atlas627]

Comets and Solar Flares are part of the Apocalypse. Meteor Showers and Forest Fires are in the normal game.

 

[WillowBrook]

You get forest fires and meteor showers when playing gathering storm without apocalypse mode, but comets and solar flares require apocalypse mode

 

[Depravo]

Thanks chaps.