Tropical storms

Question 1

Explain how tropical storms develop and the conditions needed.

Answer 1

• develop between 5 and 15 degrees north and south of the equator
• intense systems of low pressure
• sea temperatures must be over 27 degrees to a depth of 60m, which provides a continuous source of heat to generate rising air currents
• at the tropopause there must be winds that are strong enough to transport excess heat away from the system but no so strong that the top of the storm system is removed.
• the low pressure area has to be far enough away from the equator so that the coriolis force creates sufficient rotation in the rising air mass

Question 2

What are tropical storms measure by?

Answer 2

The Saffir- Simpson scale

Question 3

Why are tropical storms a hazard to coastal areas?

Answer 3

•as they loose their source of heat and moisture moving in land so areas most affected are those nearer their starting point (coast)

Question 4

How are tropical storms hazardous?

Answer 4

• damage comes from their high winds, causing disfiguration to buildings and blowing debris around resulting in a large number of fatalities.
• damage also comes from heavy rain, which can result in flooding or landslides, presenting a large hazard to those who are in the path of these disasters
• can raise the level of the sea: this coupled with high winds can produce a storm surge, which causes 90% of deaths- particularly common in bangladesh in the bay of bengal
• impact depends on strength and duration, plus speed of movement and physical geog of an area. small islands are particularly vulnerable as their morphology makes them difficult to evacuate.

Question 5

How can tropical storms economically effect an area?

Answer 5

• potentially disrupt agriculture do to ground becoming contaminated with salt from sea water during a storm surge
• Fishing is also affected due to breaking up of fishing boats during a tropical storm

Question 6

How can tropical storms be monitored?

Answer 6

• monitoring tropical storms allows for predictions to be made which can save lives and reduce damage
• there are cloud patterns associated with tropical storms that satellites monitor
• the global precipitation measurement, for example, monitors precipitation every 3 hours north and south of the equator to identify the high altitude rain clouds

Question 7

How can tropical storms be tracked?

Answer 7

•once a hurricane has formed it can usually be tracked. scientists can usually predict its path 3-4 days in advance
•information is received from a number of sources:
-satellite images
-radars that monitor areas of intense rainfall

Question 8

How can you prepare for tropical storms?

Answer 8

• there are a number of ways in which you can prepare for a tropical storm, including risk assessment, land-use control and reducing vulnerability of structures
• the aim of land use zoning is so that the most important facilities are placed in the least vulnerable areas
• new building and better communication

Question 9

CASE STUDY: HURRICANE MITCH

Answer 9

• october 1998
• honduras and nicaragua and neighbouring countries affected
• category 5
• poor countries affected
• deadliest north atlAntic hurricane since 1780
• death toll reached over 17000
• resultant lahar from floods destroyed villages.
• 1.5 million made homeless