9.3 Hazards resulting from atmospheric disturbances

Question 1

Tropical cyclones

Answer 1

Very large low-pressure systems with wind speeds above 119km/h.

Question 2

Tropical storms

Answer 2

Low-pressure systems in the tropics with wind speeds of 63-118km/h.

Question 3

Tornadoes

Answer 3

A violent, rapidly rotating and fast moving, funnel-shaped column of cloud that extends down to the ground.

Question 4

Storm surge

Answer 4

A rush of seawater driven onto land by strong winds when the sea surface is raised. Either caused by expansion due to heating or because a pressure system with rising air takes the weight off the sea surface.
The highest part of the surge is where the strongest winds are.

Question 5

Adiabatic

Answer 5

A change in temperature of an air parcel resulting from a change in its pressure as it rises into thinner air or sinks into denser air. No transfer of heat to or from the air is involved.

Question 6

Saffir-Simpson scale

Answer 6

Indicates the potential damage to structures by sustained wind speeds in the tropical storms of cyclone strength.

Question 7

Dvorak technique

Answer 7

Estimates cyclone intensity on a scale of 1 to 8.

Question 8

Stovepipe volcano

Answer 8

Narrow and cylindrical volcanoes

Question 9

Wedge volcanoes

Answer 9

Very wide volcanoes

Question 10

Supercell thunderstorms

Answer 10

An extremely violent thunderstorm in a tornado.

Question 11

Mesocyclones

Answer 11

Rotating up-currents up to 16km in diameter in a tornade.

Question 12

Fujita-Pearson scale

Answer 12

Measures tornadoes by monitoring wind speed, path length and path width.