3.2 The Global Distribution Of Tropical Storms

Question 1

natural hazard def

Answer 1

Natural hazards are extreme natural events that can cause loss of life, extreme damage to property and disrupt human activities

Question 2

tropical storm (hurricane, cyclone, typhoon) def

Answer 2

an area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the ‘eye’ of the storm. Winds are powerful and rainfall is heavy.

Question 3

when does a tropical storm occur?

Answer 3

• when tropical warm air rises to create an area of intense low pressure
• as the warm, moist air reaches high altitudes, powerful winds spiral around the calm central point
• the warm air cools and condenses into heavy rainfall and thunderstorms

Question 4

where do hurricanes occur?

Answer 4

in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans

Question 5

where do typhoons occur?

Answer 5

in the west of the North Pacific Ocean

Question 6

where do cyclones occur?

Answer 6

in the Indian and Southern Pacific Oceans

Question 7

Why do tropical storms have names?

Answer 7

To make them more recognisable and engaging for the public, rather than using coordinates

Question 8

How are tropical storms named?

Answer 8

• alphabetical and alternate in gender
• names repeat every six years unless a large loss of life would make it insensitive to repeat

Question 9

Who names tropical storms?

Answer 9

the World Meteorological Organisation

Question 10

How many tropical storms take place per year?

Answer 10

80-100

Question 11

Where do tropical storms occur?

Answer 11

• in the tropics, mainly where the ITCZ lies
• south of the tropic of Cancer and north of the Tropic of Capricorn

Question 12

why do tropical storms occur in the tropics?

Answer 12

high insolation means temperatures are higher than the poles

Question 13

why do sea temperatures need to be at 27 degrees at a depth of 60-70 metres

Answer 13

• provides heat and moisture that causes the warm air to rise rapidly in low-pressure regions
• latent heat is released, which powers the tropical storm

Question 14

what is low wind shear and why is it needed for tropical storms to develop

Answer 14

• low wind shear is wind which remains constant and doesn’t vary with height
• this means that tropical storm clouds can rise to high levels without being torn apart

Question 15

Coriolis effect def

Answer 15

the result of Earth’s rotation on weather patterns and ocean currents

Question 16

what are the conditions that cause a tropical storm?

Answer 16

• in the tropics
• sea temperatures above 27 degrees at a depth of 60-70 metres
• low wind shear

Question 17

Why can’t tropical storms develop at the Equator?

Answer 17

The Coriolis effect is not strong enough along the Equator to allow tropical storms to spin