Storm Hazards

Question 1

Define a tropical storm hazard

Answer 1

Intense low pressure weather systems that develop in the tropics

Question 2

5 conditions needed for tropical storms to form

Answer 2

Sea depth of min. 70m
Sea temp 27°+
5° N or S of equator
Low level convergence in lower atmospheric circulation
Rapid outflow of air in upper atmospheric ciruclation

Question 3

How are tropical storms measured

Answer 3

Saffir Simpson scale

Question 4

What is the saffir Simpson scale based on

Answer 4

Central pressure
Wind speed
Storm surge
Damage potential

Question 5

Avg lifespan of tropical storms

Answer 5

7-14 days

Question 6

What are tropical storms in the Atlantic called

Answer 6

Hurricanes

Question 7

What are tropical storms in the Indian Ocean called

Answer 7

Cyclones

Question 8

What are tropical storms in the pacific called

Answer 8

Typhoons

Question 9

Why do tropical storms move away from the equator

Answer 9

Rotational force is 0 at the equator
Increases as it gets further away and closer to the poles
It needs to generate a vortex (known as the coriolis effect)

Question 10

What is the movement of a tropical storm away from the equator called

Answer 10

Coriolis effect

Question 11

What is the eye of a tropical storm

Answer 11

The calm clear area in the centre

Question 12

What is the eye wall of a tropical storm

Answer 12

The most violent and strong winds

Question 13

What is latent heat required for

Answer 13

Turn a solid into liquid or liquid into gas without any change in temp

Question 14

How many storm events each year on average

Answer 14

45

Question 15

Which region experiences the most tropical storms

Answer 15

South east Asia 33% of the total

Question 16

What will cause storms to become more intense

Answer 16

Climate change and rising sea temps

Question 17

How many km can tropical storms be wide

Answer 17

200-700 km

Question 18

What is the 8 step formation of tropical storms

Answer 18

1.begin as an atmospheric disturbance of low pressures
2.warm water causes large volumes of evaporation
3.winds converge close to the ocean forcing air to ride
4.air rides and evaporation condenses to form clouds causing heavy rainfall. Latent heat is released as an energy source
5.dry cooler air descends from the upper atmosphere down the centre creating the eye
6. Coriolis effect causes storm to rotate
7. Storm begins to use warm water as its primary energy source and is self sustaining
8. Storm reaches land and loses energy caused by friction

Question 19

Primary social impacts of tropical storms

Answer 19

People may drown or killed
Schools wrecked distrusting education
Hospitals wrecked

Question 20

Primary environmental impacts

Answer 20

Strong winds up to 300km/h
Heavy rainfall exceeding 500mm
Up to 7m high storm surges
Crops trees and farmland destroyed
Beaches eroded

Question 21

Secondary social impacts of tropical storms

Answer 21

Flooding causing sewage contamination
Famine
Homelessness

Question 22

Secondary economic impacts of tropical storms

Answer 22

Large total costs of damage
Businesses and industries damaged
Expensive repairs to infrastructure

Question 23

Secondary environmental impacts of tropical storms

Answer 23

Chemical spills and water pollution
Food shortages from agricultural damage

Question 24

Secondary political impacts of tropical storms

Answer 24

Power lines fall cutting communication
Blaming authorities for resource shortage
Army have to be brought in to stop looting

Question 25

4 ways of preventing the impacts of tropical storms

Answer 25

Reinforce telecommunication and power lines
Raised buildings
Breakwaters e.g mangroves
Levees

Question 26

Benefit of weather forecasting tropical storms

Answer 26

Allows authorities and people to prepare and evacuate

Question 27

3 ways of adapting to tropical storms

Answer 27

Adapting buildings e.g stronger windows
Personal prep through education
Vegetation management (avoid trees next to buildings)

Question 28

When do tropical storms form in the northern hemisphere

Answer 28

June - november

Question 29

When do storms form in the southern hemisphere

Answer 29

Nov - april