Tropical Cyclones
Overview
A tropical cyclone is the most powerful storm on Earth: a spinning engine of cloud up to 800 kilometres across that draws its energy from warm tropical seas. Known as a hurricane in the Atlantic, a typhoon in the western Pacific and a cyclone in the Indian Ocean, it is the same fearsome weather system under three different names. When one makes landfall it can flatten towns with its winds, drown coastlines beneath a storm surge and trigger flooding and landslides far inland.
In this lesson you will learn the exact conditions a tropical cyclone needs to form, why it can only develop over particular oceans and latitudes, and how its eye, eyewall and rain bands are arranged. You will then work through the Environmental Management chain of cause, impact and management, using real storms such as the record-breaking Hurricane Patricia of 2015 and the deadly Bhola cyclone of 1970 to see how preparation can mean the difference between a near miss and a catastrophe.
Objectives
- 6.2.1 Describe the location and conditions needed for the formation of a tropical cyclone, limited to: (a) tropical cyclones: storms, hurricanes and typhoons (b) form between 5 ° and 30 ° latitude north or south of the Equator (c) ocean temperature of at least 27 °C (d) ocean depth of at least 60 m.
- 6.2.2 Describe and explain the impacts of tropical cyclones on people and the environment, limited to: (a) damage to buildings and infrastructure (b) loss of crops (c) livestock and habitats (d) evacuation of people and livestock (e) flooding (f) landslides (g) contamination of drinking-water supplies (h) water-related disease (i) financial losses (j) human health.
- 6.2.3 Describe strategies for managing the impacts before, during and after a tropical cyclone, limited to: (a) monitoring and warning (b) structure of buildings (c) disaster preparation (plans, drills, emergency supplies and emergency rescue teams) (d) evacuation (e) shelters (f) rebuilding of damaged areas (g) international aid.
- 6.2.4 Discuss the benefits and limitations of strategies for managing the impacts before, during and after a tropical cyclone.
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Lesson Evaluation
Congratulations on completing the lesson on Tropical Cyclones. Now that youve explored the key concepts and ideas, its time to put your knowledge to the test. This section offers a variety of practice questions designed to reinforce your understanding and help you gauge your grasp of the material.
You will encounter a mix of question types, including multiple-choice questions, short answer questions, and essay questions. Each question is thoughtfully crafted to assess different aspects of your knowledge and critical thinking skills.
Use this evaluation section as an opportunity to reinforce your understanding of the topic and to identify any areas where you may need additional study. Don't be discouraged by any challenges you encounter; instead, view them as opportunities for growth and improvement.
- What is the minimum ocean surface temperature needed for a tropical cyclone to form? A. 17 degrees Celsius B. 22 degrees Celsius C. 27 degrees Celsius D. 32 degrees Celsius Answer: C
- Which part of a tropical cyclone has the calmest, clearest weather? A. The eyewall B. The eye C. The rain bands D. The storm surge Answer: B
- What powers a tropical cyclone? A. Friction with the land B. Cold ocean currents C. Latent heat released as water vapour condenses D. The Coriolis effect alone Answer: C
- Which of the following usually causes the greatest loss of life in a tropical cyclone? A. Lightning B. Storm surge C. Hail D. Falling trees Answer: B
- Why does a tropical cyclone weaken when it moves over land? A. The land is warmer than the sea B. It loses its supply of warm, moist air C. The Coriolis effect increases D. The pressure at its centre falls Answer: B
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