Low pressure, tropical cyclones, cyclone Pam, Asia Monsoon

Question 1

Low pressure is when..

Answer 1

Air warms and rises leading to low pressure at the surface.

Question 2

When do tropical storms in the Northern Hemisphere occur?

Answer 2

Between June and November (peaks in September)

Question 3

When do tropical storms occur in the Southern Hemisphere?

Answer 3

Between November and April

Question 4

Cyclones form when sea temperature is?

Answer 4

27 degrees

Question 5

Towering clouds and torrential rain is formed when?

Answer 5

The warm sea water heats the air above it, causing it to rise, creating an area of very low pressure in the atmosphere.

Question 6

What is the coriolis effect?

Answer 6

When the air moves towards the centre of the low pressure and it spirals upwards into the atmosphere, due to the Earth’s rotation.

Question 7

When and where did Cyclone Pam hit?

Answer 7

Vanuatu in the South Pacific, 13th March 2015

Question 8

What category was Cyclone Pam?

Answer 8

5

Question 9

Give 5 impacts of Cyclone Pam

Answer 9

11 People died, 90,000 people were made homeless, 80% of subsistence crops were flattened, Coastal areas were flooded due to the storm surge freshwater wells were contaminated with sea water, Winds over 250kmph destroyed schools and hospitals.

Question 10

Give 5 responses to Cyclone Pam

Answer 10

Emergency aid was sent by Australia, Fiji, France,NZ and UK, Repairs provided safe drinking water, Blankets distributed to the homeless, 153 temporary schools were set up, Foreign medical teams sent, 19,000 children were vaccinated against measles.

Question 11

The monsoon rains occur each year across South Asia, they are formed as..

Answer 11

The ITCZ (Intertropical convergence zone) moves northwards across India.

Question 12

Explain how South Asia has a monsoon season.

Answer 12

• The ground is strongly heated by solar energy
• The air rises creating a zone of low pressure
• The moist air from above the Indian Ocean is drawn into the area of low pressure
• The moisture condenses forming towering rain clouds

Question 13

Give 2 impacts of the 2015 flash floods in South Asia caused by the monsoon season

Answer 13

Impermeable tarmac and concrete fast runoff causing flash floods, storm drains cannot cope so sewage and rainwater floods the streets, More than 120 people drowned in India , People lost their homes, people temporarily lost their homes.