Geography Notes
Natural Hazards
Faith McPhee
SANDSTORMS
-wind current goes under layer of sand and picks it up like a tidal wave.
-mostly in deserts (no vegetation)
-Dust Devils in U.S.A (smaller version of sandstorm but with dust)
-is sometimes caused by soil loss in dry lands
-fast moving
Cyclones/Typhoons/Hurricanes
-Starts as storm, but is considered a TROPICAL storm when winds reach 74 miles per hour.
-swirling water inward is eye, swirling < is southern hem, swirling > is northern hem.
-Convection effect
-Hot/humid air + water
-most dissipate in ocean
- DAMAGE $$$
- Winds up to 250 mph + high/strong/fast/destructive waves
CYCLONE: tropical storm, in Australia, Philippines, and south west pacific
TYPHOON: tropical storm, in west pacific (E. Asia)
HURRICANES: tropical storm, in Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, centre = calm eye, outer swirls = high waves + winds.
Tsunamis
* Ocean pacific * Deep water > small wave. Shallow water near land > larger wave, faster * i.d- buoys + satellite * caused by underwater earthquake
Oil Spills * oil gets into ocean * spreads quickly * damage to habitats * DESTRUCTIVE * Clogs whales blowholes, seals ingest, fish swallow, otter + birds covered * More experienced tankers can prevent * CLEAN UP: leave alone to break down (minor) Contain using buoys then scoop up Burn oil Use chemicals to biodegrade it * 257 oil spills annually * 1 gallon of motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water = years supply for 50 people. * U.S.A wastes 1.3 billion gallons of oil each year
Earthquakes
* 80% occur near ring of fire * Measured on Richter scale (1-10) * Plate moves as fast as fingernail grows * Release of energy in earth’s crust creates seismic waves/tremors * 10,000 people die annually * Caused by shift of plates grinding on fault lines, ground shakes
Faith McPhee
SANDSTORMS
-wind current goes under layer of sand and picks it up like a tidal wave.
-mostly in deserts (no vegetation)
-Dust Devils in U.S.A (smaller version of sandstorm but with dust)
-is sometimes caused by soil loss in dry lands
-fast moving
Cyclones/Typhoons/Hurricanes
-Starts as storm, but is considered a TROPICAL storm when winds reach 74 miles per hour.
-swirling water inward is eye, swirling < is southern hem, swirling > is northern hem.
-Convection effect
-Hot/humid air + water
-most dissipate in ocean
- DAMAGE $$$
- Winds up to 250 mph + high/strong/fast/destructive waves
CYCLONE: tropical storm, in Australia, Philippines, and south west pacific
TYPHOON: tropical storm, in west pacific (E. Asia)
HURRICANES: tropical storm, in Atlantic (Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, centre = calm eye, outer swirls = high waves + winds.
Tsunamis
* Ocean pacific * Deep water > small wave. Shallow water near land > larger wave, faster * i.d- buoys + satellite * caused by underwater earthquake
Oil Spills * oil gets into ocean * spreads quickly * damage to habitats * DESTRUCTIVE * Clogs whales blowholes, seals ingest, fish swallow, otter + birds covered * More experienced tankers can prevent * CLEAN UP: leave alone to break down (minor) Contain using buoys then scoop up Burn oil Use chemicals to biodegrade it * 257 oil spills annually * 1 gallon of motor oil can contaminate 1 million gallons of fresh water = years supply for 50 people. * U.S.A wastes 1.3 billion gallons of oil each year
Earthquakes
* 80% occur near ring of fire * Measured on Richter scale (1-10) * Plate moves as fast as fingernail grows * Release of energy in earth’s crust creates seismic waves/tremors * 10,000 people die annually * Caused by shift of plates grinding on fault lines, ground shakes