hazardous earth - tropical storms (flashcards)

what are tropical storms?

a large storm with very low pressure (lots of rain) and strong winds found in tropical areas.

where and when are hurricanes found?

• found on the eastern side of the Pacific Ocean/western side of the Atlantic Ocean (USA, the Carribean)

• forms July-October

where and when are typhoons found?

• Western Pacific Ocean (India, Japan and the Philippines)

• forms July-October

where and when are cyclones found?

• Bay of Bengal and Indian Ocean (Australia and Madagascar)

• forms January-April

characteristics of tropical storms

• violent winds

• intense rain

• killer waves

• giant storms

what hazards do tropical storms bring?

• strong winds

• storm surges - brings flooding caused by unusually high tides

• intense rainfall

• landslides - saturates heavy ground, causing it to slump

where do tropical storms form?

in tropical areas, ocean temperature of 26.5°C is required

how do tropical storms form?

1. ocean atleast 26.5°C

2. the warm ocean heats the air above it, causing it to rise rapidly

3. rising air starts to spin (clockwise in Northern hemisphere - Coriolis effect)

4. as the air rises, it cools, condenses and form cumulonimbus clouds

5. rapidly rising air creates an area of intense low pressure, which sucks in air → causing very strong winds

how do we measure tropical storms?

Saffir-Simpson Scale

ranked in categories 1-5 (5 being the strongest)

define impact

the damage caused and how it affects us

what types of areas are physical vulnerable to tropical storms?

• coastal areas

• island nations - most of their settlements are in low-lying coastal regions, making them more vulnerable to impacts

what types of areas are more socially vulnerable to tropical storms?

• areas of poverty - housing and other construction not high standard

• older/younger population more vulnerable to injuries and have difficulty evacuating the area

how does economic vulnerability vary?

wealthy countries:

• access to most accurate weather prediction and modelling data - able to predict landfall and prepare

• coastal defences can be built to reduce impact of storm surges

• evacuation procedures and disaster response teams

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• poorer countries often wait and rely on international aid

how can you prepare for a tropical storm?

try to predict when the storm will happen

communicate with people/warn them so they can prepare

methods of predicting

• atmospheric pressure

• satellite tracking and radar

• modelling