Hurricanes
Hurricane Categories
A hurricane is "an intense, rotating oceanic weather system that possesses maximum sustained winds exceeding 74 mph." Hurricanes form in the ocean and require that the surface temperature of that body of water is at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Every 12 years, they reuse the names of hurricanes. In 2013, the names of the hurricanes are: Andrea, Barry, Chantal, Dean, Erin, Felix, Gabrielle, Humberto, Ingrid, Jerry, Karen, Lorenzo, Melissa, Noel, Olga, Pablo, Rebekah, Sebastian Tanya, Van, and Wendy. The names of very memorable hurricanes are retired.
Hurricanes affect water ecosystems. They erode the sediments and can kill families of fish in coral reefs. If saltwater intrusion happens, then the organisms in a lake will die. Also, pesticides will float into the lakes, streams, and rivers and kill many organisms. (in Galveston bay, Atlantic/pacific ocean, etc.) On land, they will have sediment erosion. Buildings will break and collapse. People will be in danger. Trees will break and harm people. Birds will have to find more places to settle.
Hurricanes affect water ecosystems. They erode the sediments and can kill families of fish in coral reefs. If saltwater intrusion happens, then the organisms in a lake will die. Also, pesticides will float into the lakes, streams, and rivers and kill many organisms. (in Galveston bay, Atlantic/pacific ocean, etc.) On land, they will have sediment erosion. Buildings will break and collapse. People will be in danger. Trees will break and harm people. Birds will have to find more places to settle.
Fun Facts
- "Hurricane" comes from a Native American tribe called the Tainos
- Hurricanes are the only natural disasters that have official names per storm
- Each second, a category 5 hurricane releases energy that is equal to 10 atomic bombs
- A hurricane that lasts for a day can release energy that could supply the United States with it's electricity for six months
- C. Wragge was the person who first gave names to hurricanes in the 1900s.
- Each year, the first hurricane is named with the beginning letter being "A"
- Jupiter has had a hurricane for over 300 years. That hurricane is bigger than Earth
- September is the most common month for hurricanes; the second is August