Case study
Hurricanes
A common case study for a tropical storm is The name of a famous hurricane. A more recent example would be 2012's Hurricane Sandy.
Case studies are used to gain an in-depth understanding of:
- the underlying causes
- the impact on the landscape and population
- management - methods of The ability to determine if and when an earthquake, volcanic eruption or tropical storm is going to occur. and planning
The underlying causes
Hurricane Mitch formed over the Caribbean Sea and hit central America in October 1998, reaching wind speeds of 180mph.
There was a very hot summer that year which allowed sea temperatures in the Caribbean to reach 27°C. This meant that a lot of water evaporated and the water vapour caused the air above the sea to become humid and damp.
The air above the sea's surface began to rise as it was very hot, which created an area of low pressure. Air was sucked in over the sea to replace the rising air and a An extreme type of weather characterised by low air pressure and brings very strong winds and heavy rain. developed, which is the first stage in hurricane formation.
Winds became stronger and stronger as air rose more rapidly, and so the movement of air to replace it also became faster. As a result air started to spiral as well as to increase in speed. Mitch became a tropical storm and then a hurricane on 23 October 1998.
The hurricane moved westwards and hit A country in central America. on 29 October 1998 causing vast destruction. Hurricane Mitch lost energy and speed over land as there was no more moist air to continue to fuel the upwards rising of air.
Impact on landscape and population
Landscape:
- In Honduras coastal buildings were destroyed.
- Trees were flattened by the strong winds.
- Power lines were also knocked over.
- The huge volume of rain that fell in a short time washed soil into rivers and blocked them.
- There was widespread An overflow of water that submerges land. as a result.
- Bridges and roads were also destroyed by the Water overflowing, often as a result of too much rainfall..
- In A country in central America. rain caused a huge A mixture of water and soil combined to form a liquid that travels downhill quickly. down the side of Casita volcano, completely burying four villages.
People:
- Approximately 9000 people lost their lives.
- Many people were made When people have nowhere to stay. as their houses were destroyed.
- Valuable Land which is used to grow crops and/or keep animals. was destroyed.
- Polluted drinking water caused outbreaks of disease, eg A bacterial infection caused by contaminated drinking water..
- The increased standard of living and advances in the wealth in a country. was badly affected.
- The cost of making repairs increased The amount of money that a country has to pay back..
Methods of prediction and planning
Advanced weather equipment allows experts to gather detailed information and give warnings to allow people to When people are removed from an area to protect them. an area. Body that orbits a planet. For example, the Moon is a natural satellite of the Earth but communication satellites are artificial satellites of the Earth. send photos to computers which highlight the locations of storms.
Detailed weather information helps experts to try and predict where the storm will hit. Hurricane Mitch changed direction frequently and suddenly, so it was hard to The ability to determine if and when an earthquake, volcanic eruption or tropical storm is going to occur. where it would make landfall.
Storm warnings were given to all countries in Central America so many people fled inland. The A military organisation in Honduras that uses aircraft. airlifted people from along the coast and offshore islands, which ultimately saved lives.