Why Are Most Tornadoes Found in Tornado Alley?

Why Are Most Tornadoes Found in Tornado Alley?

Tornado

  1. Why are most tornadoes found in Tornado Alley?

When the cold air from the North Pole mixes with the warm air from the Gulf of Mexico it creates a whirlwind in the flat lands.

  1. Name one tool used to predict tornadoes and explain how it is used.

Satellites: monitors where the tornado is headed

Doppler Radar: measures rain, wind, and speed

Barometer: measures change in air pressure

  1. What is the name of the scale used to measure wind speed for tornadoes?

Enhanced Fujita Scale

  1. There were 174mph winds. What category tornado would this be?

EF-4

Hurricane

  1. Why do hurricanes occur mostly in tropical areas?

The sea surface temperatures are higher, which allows the warm air to rise and start rotating

  1. Even though hurricanes can take place in the pacific, why do they hardly ever hit the west coast of the U.S.?

The hurricanes form in the ocean and travel West in the northern Hemisphere

  1. What is the name of the scale used to measure the damage of a hurricane?

Saffir Simpson Scale

  1. When hurricane Sandy hit New Jersey in 2012 it was a category 2 hurricane. Using the scale explain the damage caused by this.

The wind speed was 96-110 mph and the damage was moderate.

Earthquake

  1. Why do most earthquakes occur around the Ring of Fire?

That is where the oceanic and continental plates meet.

The movement of these plates causes a release of energy.

  1. What is the name of the scale used to measure earthquake damage?

Richter Scale

  1. The recent earthquake in New Jersey was a 4.1, identify the effects using the scale mentioned above.

It was felt by people because ceiling lights started to swing/walls cracked.

Image result for volcanic explosivity index

Volcano

  1. In 1815 The Eruption of Mount Tambora ranked as one of the most powerful volcanic eruptions in recorded history. In fact it was classified as a 7 on the Volcanic Exclusivity Index. What was the type of eruption and what was the plume height?

Plinian

Plume Height: >10 km

  1. What technology is used to predict a volcanic eruption? Explain how it’s used.
  • Tiltmeter: Detects changes in the angle of the volcano slope
  • Thermal Imaging Camera: Notice magma flowing upward
  • Seismographs: Indicating that a volcano might erupt after an earthquake
  • Gas Detection Technology: Detects emission of Sulfur dioxide and Carbon Dioxide
  1. How many active volcanoes exist in the world?

~1,500

Blizzard/Avalanche

  1. What are the three criteria needed to be classified as a blizzard?
  1. Gusty winds >35 mph
  2. Visibility less than ¼ mile
  3. Conditions persist more than 3 hours
  1. Why do blizzards occur most in the Great Plains and upper Midwest region.

The Great Plains and Upper Midwest already have colder temperatures and the flat terrain allows the wind to reach >35 mph

  1. About how many blizzards occur per year?

~19/year

  1. Does it have to be snowing at the moment a blizzard takes place?

No, the snow already on the ground can start blowing and display blizzard like conditions.

Tsunami

  1. What technology is used to predict a tsunami?

Deep ocean tsunami detection buoy; this device detects changes in water levels

  1. How often does a destructive tsunami occur?

~every 15 years

  1. Why are tsunamis most likely to occur around the ring of fire?

There is a lot of movement around the tectonic plates which triggers tsunamis

Mudslide and Landslide

  1. What is the best slope angle for a mudslide to occur?

30-40°slope

  1. What geographic feature do mudslides and landslides occur by?

Mountains/hills

  1. Why would wildfires contribute to landslides or mudslides occurring?

After a wildfire the soil in the ground loosens allowing it move down the slope easily. Also, the plants lose their roots after a fire; making them loose.

Wildfire and Drought

  1. How does a drought relate to a wildfire?

Droughts are periods of dry conditions which cause wildfires

  1. Identify three main causes of wildfires.
  1. Human Heedlessness
  2. Lightening
  3. Volcanic Eruption
  4. Heat from Volcano
  1. Los Angeles, California is at an E4 on the Wildland Urban Interface Hazard Scale (WUI), how susceptible are they to a wildfire?

E4 indicates they are very close to the wildfire.

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