Weather hazards Flashcards
What is global atmospheric circulation?
Large scale movement of air and ocean circulation which redistributes thermal energy across the surface of the Earth.
How is low pressure created?
Warm air rising.
How is high pressure created?
Cool air sinking.
What are the names of the cells in order? (from the equator to the poles)
- Hadley cell
- Ferrel cell
- Polar cell
Where do tropical storms form?
5-15° north and south of the equator over warm oceans.
What is a tropical storm?
- An area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral.
- They have powerful winds and heavy rainfall
How do tropical storms form?
- Upward movement of air draws water vapor from ocean surface
- Condensation of vapor forms clouds and releases heat, drawing up more water
- Small storms join together
- Air descends in the center forming an eye
Typhoon Haiyan case study
How many where killed or injured by the storm?
Deaths: 5500
Injuries: 26000
Typhoon Haiyan case study
What was sent in aid?
- Aid workers
- Medical supplies
- 100 tonnes of rice was imported
Typhoon Haiyan case study
Where did the typhoon hit?
The Philippines, near Tacloban city
Somerset floods case study
Where are the Somerset levels?
- South- west England
- Low-lying farmland and wetlands
- Coastal area
Somerset floods case study
What caused the Somerset levels to flood?
- Very high rainfall (100mm above average for January)
- Rivers had not been dredged for 20 years
Somerset floods case study
What where the social impacts of the flood?
- Over 600 houses flooded
- Residents evacuated to temporary housing
Somerset floods case study
What were the economic impacts of the flood?
- Damage cost over £10 million
- Livestock evacuated
- Agricultural land under water for 3-4 weeks
Somerset floods case study
What were the environmental impacts of the flood?
- Floodwater contaminated by sewage and other pollutants
- Stagnant water had to re-oxygenated before it was pumped into rivers
