Impacts and responses to storm surges

Question 1

storm surge definition

Answer 1

rapid rise of sea level above normal high tide in which water is piled up against the shore by strong onshore winds

Question 2

other causes of storm surges include:

Answer 2

• tsunamis
• intense local precipitation
• high river flows
• climate change

Question 3

why are coasts vulnerable?

Answer 3

growing populations and socio-economic activity which means floods can have severer impacts

Question 4

how does a storm surge occur?

Answer 4

• rising area of low pressure
• takes pressure off the surface of the sea, allowing it to bulge upwards
• strong winds on the back edge of low pressure
• this shares that bulge of high sea levels down through the North Sea
• the increase in sea level can flood low lying coastal area

Question 5

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: Tidal level

Answer 5

when surges are added to high tides, they cause high water levels

Question 6

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: Concentration of human population

Answer 6

if there is a limited population, the storms surge will have less impact, compared to crowded populations

Question 7

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: Weather systems

Answer 7

low air pressure and wind direction makes areas more vulnerable as sea levels rise

Question 8

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: Coastal configuration

Answer 8

the way the coastline is open to surges e.g. the southern north sea is open to the north and nearly closed to the south

Question 9

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: Depth of the sea

Answer 9

shallow seas (depressions) reduce atmospheric pressure, allowing sea levels to rise

Question 10

Factors affecting magnitude of storm surges: relief of coastline

Answer 10

if coastlines are fronted by a wide, shallow, continental seas, they experience large surges with steeper slopes and greater water depths