Hurricanes

The word “Hurricane” comes from the word huracan. It’s the god of big winds and evil spirits that was once worshiped by the Maya people of Central America.[1]

Hurricanes are very big and powerful. Hurricanes usually form in tropical regions north and south of the equator. Hurricanes are made up of thunderstorms that cluster together and start to rotate counterclockwise. The winds of a hurricane cover over 90 miles, and reach a minimum of 74 miles or above. The eye of the storm is a relatively cool and calm patch of a hurricane that is around 20 miles wide. And the second half of the storm hits going from the other way.[1]

The storm surge is the mound of ocean from 20 feet that can come ashore with the hurricane. This can flood parts of cities. Most hurricane related deaths are from the storm surge. Storm surge flooding can occur along the shore line for100 miles and can go inward several miles.[2] The image “http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/38hurricane/storm_surge_lutgens.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors. http://www2.sunysuffolk.edu/mandias/38hurricane/storm_surge_lutgens.jpg

There are 5 categories for a hurricane.
Category I - 74-95 mph winds with 4-5 ft. storm surge and minimal damage
Category II - 96-110 mph winds with 6-8 ft. storm surge and moderate damage
Category III - 111-130 mph winds with 9-12 ft. storm surge and major damage
Category IV - 131-155 mph winds with 13-18 ft. storm surge and severe damage
Category V - 155+ mph winds with 18+ ft. storm surge and catastrophic damageThe image “http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/97951579_d7e765d679.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/31/97951579_d7e765d679.jpg


Hurricane season officially starts June 1st and ends November 30th, but the most active part of the season is from August and September.[2]

Before 1950 hurricanes were not officially named. Between 1950 and 1952 they were only simple names that were not very imaginative. Between 1953 and 1978 there were only female names for hurricanes. In 1979 the names were finally alternated between male and female names. Hurricanes are named alphabetically and years in advanced. And the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean names are separate from each other. If there is a hurricane that has had a severe impact or very destructive the name can be retired[2]The image “http://www.utexas.edu/features/2006/hurricanes/graphics/hurricanes5.jpg” cannot be displayed, because it contains errors.
http://www.utexas.edu/features/2006/hurricanes/graphics/hurricanes5.jpg

Damage from a hurricane can be devastating. It can destroy house buildings, or anything in its way. It can take years to recover from the devastation. Like in hurricane ike there are still people recovering years after it happened.
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section2group4/files/hurricane_katrina_response3.jpg
http://sitemaker.umich.edu/section2group4/files/hurricane_katrina_response3.jpg
http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3276-6/day+after+the+hurricane+hit
http://www.katrinadestruction.com/images/d/3276-6/day+after+the+hurricane+hit

Although hurricanes are made in nature, there is a devistating affact on humans and the environment. It can cause humans mouse to be destroyed as well as an animals home. There is alot of emotional damage as well as physical damage from a hurricane.

hurricanes haven't directly affected me. But hurricane katrina showed me how devastating a hurricane can be. and how long it can take to clean up and get over the dramatic events that happened. I hav relatives that live in Florida, North Carolina, and Alabama. Each of those states can get hit by a hurricane and when there is one that is about to hit these states i worry how bad the damage will be. and whether they will be ok or not.

some sites to get more information on hurricanes are http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/HAW2/english/basics.shtml
http://www.weatherwizkids.com/hurricane1.htm
http://ww2010.atmos.uiuc.edu/(Gh)/guides/mtr/hurr/home.rxml
http://www.miamisci.org/hurricane/
all of these websites will give you information on hurricanes. they can show you what a hurricane looks like and can show you how to survive or prepare for a hurricane.


[1] http://www.nationalgeographic.com/ngkids/0308/hurricane/info.html
1996-2008 National Geographic Society

[2]http://www.marshbunny.com/mbunny/sidetrip/hurricane/storms.html
Graphic Mac Design Service 1999 - 2008.

Monday, October 6, 2008

WES Activity A

What i Did- i read about the water cycle and its affect on the Earths system. the reading also tells us about how the water cycle works.

What I thought- i thought this reading was semi-boring. i am not much for this type of science. I would rather read about sharks or ocean life. I did enjoy reading it a little.

What I learned- i learned that saudi arabia does not have any flowing rivers or lakes. i learned that the water cycle is powered by both the sun and gravity, even though in part of the water cycle it has to defi-gravity.

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