Cyclones Flashcards

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1
Q

What is a tropical cyclone?

A

A rotating system of clouds and storms that form and develop over tropical or subtropical waters.

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2
Q

What speed does a cyclone have to reach to be known as a hurricane, typhoon or cyclone?

A

118km/hr.

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3
Q

Where is ‘hurricane’ used?

A

North Atlantic and Pacific coast of USA.

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4
Q

Where is ‘cyclone’ used?

A

Indian and South Pacific Ocean.

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5
Q

Where is ‘typhoon’ used?

A

Western North Pacific (Japan).

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6
Q

What scale is used in the North Atlantic and North eastern Pacific oceans?

A

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale (from category 1 to 5).

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7
Q

What scale is used in Japan?

A

Meteorological Agency’s Scale.

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8
Q

What scale does Australia use?

A

Tropical Cyclone Intensity Scale.

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9
Q

What hazards do tropical cyclones bring?

A

Strong winds, storm surges, intense rainfall, landslides.

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10
Q

What is needed for a tropical cyclone to form?

A

A large, still, warm ocean. Strong winds high in the troposphere 10-12km above the Earth’s surface. Coriolis force between 5 and 30 degrees latitude.

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11
Q

What is air pressure like in tropical cyclones?

A

A lot lower than normal and the bigger the difference in air pressure, the stronger the winds.

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12
Q

What is the first stage in tropical cyclone formation?

A

Warm air rises and more air rushes in to replace it which then rises too.

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13
Q

What is the second stage in tropical cyclone formation?

A

Risen air contains high volumes of water vapour from the oceans which condense to form cumulonimbus clouds.

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14
Q

What is the third stage in tropical cyclone formation?

A

Coriolis force causes rising currents of air to spiral around the centre (the eye of the storm) so it resembles a whirling cylinder.

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15
Q

What is the fourth stage in tropical cyclone formation?

A

As the tropical cyclone tracks away from its source, it is fed new heat and moisture from the oceans, enlarging it.

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16
Q

What is the fifth stage in tropical cyclone formation?

A

Once it reaches a landmass, it loses its energy source from the ocean. Air pressure rises as temperature falls, winds drop, rainfall increases and it decays to become a mere storm.