Geography

Question 1

What is a tropical storm

Answer 1

A huge storm found in the tropics. In the USA and Caribbean its called a hurricane, in Southeast Asia and Australia its called a cyclone, and in japan and Philippines its called a typhoon

Question 2

Where do tropical storms form

Answer 2

Tropical storms form over warm oceans above 27 degrees. They form in the summer and autumn when sea temperatures are there highest. They form 5-15 degrees north and south of the equator this is cuz at the equator there is not enough spin from the earths rotation. The effect of the earth rotation is called the coriolis effect. A tropical storm is a spinning mass of clouds

Question 3

How do tropical storms form

Answer 3

1) a strong upward movement of air draws water vapour up from the ocean surface.
2)this evaporated air cools, as it rises and condenses to form thunderstorm clouds.
3) As the air condenses it release heat which powers up the storm and draws up more and more water.
4) multiple thunder clouds join to form a giant rotating storm.
5) coriolis forces spin the storm over 120km per hour creating a vast cloud spiral with an eye at it’s centre where air descends rapidly
6) Prevailing winds drift the storm over the ocean surface gathering strength and picking up energy.
7) As the storm hits land it calms as it has no more heat energy.

Question 4

What are the ways of reducing tropical storms (planning/ monitoring)

Answer 4

Tropical storms can be monitored using a radar, satellite and aircraft. Computer models can then be used to calculate the storms predicted path.

Predicting when and where a tropical storm is going to happen gives ppl time to evacuate and protect homes and businesses.

Example: during typhoon Haiyan predicting the storms path helped authorities decide which areas needed to be evacuated.