TROPICAL CYCLONES

Question 1

How does a tropical cyclone form

Answer 1

Tropical cyclones develop when the sea temperatures are 26.5 degrees or higher and when the wind shear between higher and lower parts of the atmosphere is low.

The source area for most cyclones is 5 and 30 degrees north and south from the equator . Any more from the equator means that the temperatures are too low .

Warm moist air rises and condensation occurs. The release in energy makes the storms powerful. The rising air creates areas of low pressure

The earths rotation deflects the path of the winds which causes the cyclone to spin.

The cyclone will continue to intensify due to the energy it is given by warm waters.

These cyclones can dissipate when they move over land or cooler waters because the energy supply from warm waters is cut off.

Question 2

Features of a tropical cyclone.

Answer 2

Eye of the cyclone-
Caused by descending air . There are very low pressures , light winds , no clouds or rain and a high temperature.
It is surrounded by the eye wall where theres spiralling rising air and very strong winds .

Question 3

Physical hazards of tropical cyclones

Answer 3

High winds-
Wind speeds in tropical cyclones can reach 250 km/h

Intense rainfall-
Tropical cyclones can release trillions of litres of water per day as rain . The rain gets heavier as you get closer to the eye

Storm surges-
A large rise of sea levels caused by high winds

Costal flooding-
Flooding happens as a result of storm surges and strong winds driving large waves onto the shores

Landslides-
Heavy rain makes hills unstable causing landslides.

Question 4

How many died in myanmar

Answer 4

140000

Question 5

How many houses were destroyed in myanmar

Answer 5

450000

Question 6

What percentage of rice paddies were flooded

Answer 6

65 percent

Question 7

How much of the percentage of new orleans was evacuated

Answer 7

70-80 percent

Question 8

How many died due to katrina

Answer 8

1800

Question 9

How many houses were destroyed due to katrina

Answer 9

300000

Question 10

How many jobs were lost

Answer 10

230000

Question 11

Physical vulnerability

Answer 11

Low lying costal places are more vulnerable to storm surges

Steep hillsides may increase the risk of landslides

Question 12

Economic vulnerability

Answer 12

Poorer countries have a lack of funding so they cannot afford sea defenses or repairs

Poorer countries rely on livestock and vegetation which can be easily taken

Question 13

Social vulnerability

Answer 13

Poorer countries are more vulnerable as
Buildings are of a poorer country 
Health care is lacking 
Littlei to no money for flood defense
Harder to rescue people due too poor infrastructure