- The 5 main causes of hurricanes
- 1- An atmospheric disturbance of a stormy type
- 2- Ocean temperatures of at least 26 ° C
- 3- Winds
- 4- The rotation of the Earth
- 5- The humidity
- The 2 main consequences of hurricanes
- 1- Rains, mudslides and floods
- 2- Coastal swells and tornadoes
- References
Determining the causes and consequences of hurricanes is an important matter in preventing and minimizing the damage that these natural phenomena can cause.
Hurricanes are meteorological phenomena that are accompanied by strong winds, torrential rains, landslides, and floods.
For this reason, they have been classified as one of the most devastating natural forces, due to the incalculable material and human losses that they have left in their wake.
Depending on the intensity of their winds and the storm surge they unleash, hurricanes are classified into five categories according to the Saffir Simpson scale.
The classification goes from class 1, with dangerous winds between 119 and 153 km / h; up to class 5, with catastrophic damage and winds of more than 250 km / h.
The 5 main causes of hurricanes
Hurricanes occur thanks to the concurrence or joint presence of 5 factors:
1- An atmospheric disturbance of a stormy type
This refers to the presence of storms.
2- Ocean temperatures of at least 26 ° C
Ocean water evaporates rapidly when it has a temperature equal to or greater than 26 ° C.
When the condensation of the vapor in the form of clouds occurs, the energy that strengthens the pre-existing storm system is released.
3- Winds
Warm winds close to the sea surface cause evaporation to rise rapidly.
This creates a negative pressure that draws the air in a spiral, inward and upward. Then weak winds at high levels in the atmosphere cause the cycle to continue.
4- The rotation of the Earth
This rotation is what gives movement in a circular way to the already formed system.
5- The humidity
The humidity is typical of the proximity to the sea. It is the element that serves as fuel for evaporation.
For this reason, hurricanes weaken as they touch land, as humidity levels decrease.
The 2 main consequences of hurricanes
The global effect of hurricanes depends on the speed of their winds; that is, it depends on the category to which they correspond. Its most serious consequences are the following:
1- Rains, mudslides and floods
More than the winds themselves, rains are the main and most serious consequence of hurricanes.
The intense rains that hurricanes produce in a few days - many times higher than those that have occurred during a whole year - destroy material objects, structures, buildings and human lives.
These rains occur for a long time and the drainage systems collapse; this produces landslides and floods inland.
2- Coastal swells and tornadoes
The heavy rains cause the rapid rise in sea level, which leads to dangerous coastal swells.
These swells are responsible for 90% of the human losses that are attributed to the passage of hurricanes.
Currently, the worsening of the destructive potential of hurricanes by human action, in the context of global warming, has been recognized.
With the global campaign to promote climate change, it is expected to reduce the temperature of the sea and the atmosphere, the main causes of hurricanes.
References
- Anthes, R. (May 2006). Hurricanes and global warming - Potential linkages and consequences. From: journals.ametsoc.org
- Bender, M. (January 22, 2010). Modeled impact f anthropogenic warming on the frequency of intense Atlantic hurricanes. From: science.sciencemag.org
- Goldenberg, S. (September 14, 2001). The recent increase in atlantic hurricane activity: causes and implications. From: science.sciencemag.org
- Landsea C. (2005). Meteorology: hurricanes and global warming. At: go.galegroup.com
- Vecchi, G. (February 7, 2014). Next season's hurricanes. From: science.sciencemag.org