EQ2 - 1.5 Tropical Cyclones Present Major Natural Hazards To People And Places

Question 1

How do high winds in a tropical cyclone impact people and the environment?

Answer 1

• Produce winds of 199-250MPH+.
• Trees can be uprooted by the force of the wind and infrastructure like power cables can be damaged.
• Strongest winds can severely damage buildings.
• Wind blown debris can impact on people by causing injury and even death.

Question 2

How does intense rainfall impact people and the environment?

Answer 2

• Moving over the oceans they take up a lot of water resulting in large release of rain.
• Weather forecasters can estimate how much rain may fall based on how fast the storm has been travelling over the water.
• Can lead to flooding, damage to property and injury - fast flowing people can knock people over.

Question 3

How do storm surges impact people and the environment?

Answer 3

• Low pressure allows the level of the sea to rise, with high winds combined produced by the storm a large mass of water can be forced towards land by the wind strength.
• Surge hits land with severe force.
• Can erode beaches and coastal habitats, damage costal defences and flow inland, contaminating farmland and freshwater areas such as lakes.

Question 4

How can coastal flooding impact people and the environment?

Answer 4

• Intense rain + storm surges puts coastal areas at severe risk of flooding.
• People and property, tourism and farming all at risk.
• Salt water can be very damaging towards the environment.

Question 5

How can landslides impact people and the environment?

Answer 5

• Intense rainfall affects areas of high relief as well as coastal lowlands.
• High levels of rain can saturate the soil very quickly.
• It will make the soil heavy and in areas with steep slopes can mean that the soil will no longer be able to hold its position and will start to slide down the slope.
• Where the underlying rock is impermeable, wet soil and rock above and can easily slide over it and downhill.
• Causes massive devastation to any settlements at base of slope, will cause river flooding if landslide blocks river channels.

Question 6

What are the characteristics of a category 1 storm?

Answer 6

• Winds 74-95mph
• Storm surge 1,5M
• Some damage and power cuts.

Question 7

What are the characteristics of a category 2 storm?

Answer 7

• Winds 96-110mph
• Storm surge 2.2M
• Extensive damage.

Question 8

What are the characteristics of a category 3 storm?

Answer 8

• Winds 111-129mph
• Storm surge 3.4m
• Well built homes suffer major damage.

Question 9

What are the characteristics of a category 4 storm?

Answer 9

• Winds 130-156mph
• Storm surge 4.6m
• Severe damage to well-built homes, trees blown over.

Question 10

What are the characteristics of a category 5 storm?

Answer 10

• Winds 157mph+
• Storm surge >5.5mph
• Many buildings destroyed, major roads cut off.

Question 11

Why are some countries physically vulnerable to tropical cyclones?

Answer 11

• Coastal areas are at more risk as tropical cyclones form over water.
• Low-lying settlements makes them more vulnerable and the storm has more impact on them.
• Areas of a low relief will be at risk not only from high winds and rain, but also storm surges created by tropical cyclones, making flooding more likely than it would be in areas of high relief.
• Areas of high relief are at more risk from the heavy rain than the storm surge as this can cause landslides, in steepest areas.

Question 12

Why are some countries economically vulnerable to tropical cyclones?

Answer 12

• Access to most accurate weather prediction will reduce the impact of the storm.
• Coastal defences meaning that the coast will be less affected by storm surges and the damage caused by the tropical cyclone will be greatly reduced.
• Poorer countries often have to wait for International aid agencies to help them rescue tropical cyclone survivors.

Question 13

Why are some countries socially vulnerable to tropical cyclones?

Answer 13

• Areas of poverty, poor housing and other construction may not be of a high standard and is therefore more easily destroyed.
• After effects in a poor area are more affective as they may not have access to shelter, food, clean water supplies and medical care after the event; more people in this area are more likely to die as they won’t be able to prepare.
• Areas of higher or lower average population more vulnerable because older and young children are more likely to suffer injury during disasters and have more difficulty in evacuating from the area; more chance of catching disease in aftermath, especially if there is a lack of clean water.