Hurricanes (Nature on the Rampage) [Library Binding]

Christy Steele (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 2000 | Series: Nature on the Rampage

From Wikipedia: A tropical cyclone is a storm system characterized by a low-pressure center and numerous thunderstorms that produce strong winds and heavy rain. Tropical cyclones strengthen when water evaporated from the ocean is released as the saturated air rises, resulting in condensation of water vapor contained in the moist air. They are fueled by a different heat mechanism than other cyclonic windstorms such as nor'easters, European windstorms, and polar lows. The characteristic that separates tropical cyclones from other cyclonic systems is that at any height in the atmosphere, the center of a tropical cyclone will be warmer than its surroundings; a phenomenon called "warm core" storm systems. ~~~ The term "tropical" refers both to the geographical origin of these systems, which usually form in tropical regions of the globe, and to their formation in maritime tropical air masses. The term "cyclone" refers to such storms' cyclonic nature, with counterclockwise wind flow in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise wind flow in the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of the wind flow is a result of the Coriolis force. Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane (/?h?r?ke?n/, /?h?r?k?n/), typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression, and simply cyclone. ~~~ While tropical cyclones can produce extremely powerful winds and torrential rain, they are also able to produce high waves and damaging storm surge as well as spawning tornadoes. They develop over large bodies of warm water, and lose their strength if they move over land due to increased surface friction and loss of the warm ocean as an energy source. This is why coastal regions can receive significant damage from a tropical cyclone, while inland regions are relatively safe from receiving strong winds. Heavy rains, however, can produce significant flooding inland, and storm surges can produce extensive coastal flooding...

Product Details

• Library Binding: 32 pages
• Publisher: Heinemann Library (January 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0739817930
• ISBN-13: 978-0739817933
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6.3 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.6 ounces
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #10,673,026 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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