Storm Hazards

Question 1

What is a tropical storm?

Answer 1

Huge spinning storms with strong winds and torrential rain.

Question 2

What are the conditions needed for a tropical storm to form?

Answer 2

• A disturbance near the sea-surface (are of low pressure)
• Sea water above 27 degrees Celsius
• Convergence of air in lower atmosphere forcing warm air to rise.
• Location 5 degrees from the equator.

Question 3

Where do tropical storms form?

Answer 3

In the tropics.

Question 4

Where are tropical storms called hurricanes?

Answer 4

Caribbean

Question 5

Where are tropical storms called cyclones?

Answer 5

Bay of Bengal

Question 6

Where are tropical storms called typhoons

Answer 6

China sea

Question 7

What happens to tropical storms when they move on land?

Answer 7

Lose strength as their supply of warm most air is cut off.

Question 8

Why do tropical storms move away from the equator?

Answer 8

The Coriolis effect.

Question 9

What way does a tropical storm spin in the northern hemisphere?

Answer 9

Anti-clockwise

Question 10

What is the centre of a tropical storm called? And what are its features?

Answer 10

The eye
Low pressure

Question 11

What is the eyewall in a tropical storm?

Answer 11

The rising air spirals around the eye that causes strong winds

Question 12

What happens at the top of a storm?

Answer 12

There is an outflow of moist air increasing cloud cover for a long distance.

Question 13

What is storm magnitude measured on?

Answer 13

The Saffir-Simpson scale

Question 14

Describe the Saffir-Simpson scale.

Answer 14

Based on wind speed, category 5 is most powerful and 1 is the weakest.
Estimates damage of the storm.

Question 15

Can a storm hazard be predicted?

Answer 15

Patterns are affected by many factors so can be irregular but satellite imagery tells us when a storm is forming and predicted accurately.

Question 16

What are the 5 storm hazards?

Answer 16

• High winds
• Storm surges
• Heavy rain
• Flooding
• Landslides

Question 17

Describe high winds as a storm hazard.

Answer 17

Wind speed can reach up to 300 km/h, destroy buildings and uproot trees.

Question 18

Describe storm surges as a storm hazard.

Answer 18

A large rise in sea level caused by high winds pushing water towards the coast.

Question 19

Describe heavy rain as a storm hazard.

Answer 19

As warm moist air rises it cools causing torrential rain.

Question 20

Describe flooding as a storm hazard.

Answer 20

Heavy downpours can cause river discharge to increase suddenly.

Question 21

Describe landslides as a storm hazard.

Answer 21

Water infiltrates soil and rock making it less stable and increasing the risk of landslides.

Question 22

What are the social impacts of storm hazards?

Answer 22

• People can be killed by drowning or hit by the debris
• Houses are destroyed leaving people homeless
• Electricity cables damaged= no power
• Flooding= sewage overload and contamination
• Lack of clean water= disease
• Damage to land= food shortages

Question 23

What are the political impacts of a storm hazard?

Answer 23

• People may blame the authorities for water and food shortages= political unrest
• Expensive repairs can limit the amount of money spent on development.

Question 24

What are the economic impacts of a storm hazard?

Answer 24

• Repairing costs a huge amount.
• Businesses damaged and destroyed.
• Agricultural land damaged affecting farming.

Question 25

What are the environmental impacts of storm hazards?

Answer 25

• Beaches are eroded and coastal habitats (coral reefs) are damaged.
• Environment is polluted by salt water and oil spills
• Landslides can cover habitats and block rivers.

Question 26

What are the short-term responses to a storm hazard?

Answer 26

Evacuating people

Question 27

What are the long-term responses to a storm hazard?

Answer 27

Prevention: Future developments can be planned to avoid high risk areas.
Preparedness: Emergency services trained, evacuation routes clear and educating people on how to prepare for a storm.
Adaptation: Buildings designed to withstand storms (fixing roofs securely).