Aice marine Science as level nasa earth Observatory by Steve Graham and Holli Riebeek · November 1, 2006
Download 448.17 Kb.
|
- Navigate this page:
- The Saffir-Simpson Scale
Storm Surge As a hurricane moves closer to land, coastal communities begin to feel the effects of heavy rain, strong winds, and tornadoes. However, its most destructive weapon is the accompanying storm surge, a rise in the ocean levels of up to 10 meters (about 33 feet). When a hurricane approaches the coast, an 80-to-160-kilometer-wide dome of ocean water sweeps over the coastline. Storm surges have demolished marinas, piers, boardwalks, houses, and other shoreline structures, while eroding beaches and washing out coastal roads and railroads. Strong onshore winds pushing the ocean surface ahead of the storm on the right side of the storm track (left side in the Southern Hemisphere) is the primary cause of the storm surge. This wall of water is greatest when the arrival of the storm coincides with the occurrence of an astronomical high tide. 
Strong winds are responsible for most of a hurricane’s storm surge, but the extremely low air pressure in the eye of the storm also plays a small role. The low pressure in the eye allows the surrounding atmosphere to compress the ocean surface into a small bulge. (Graphics by Robert Simmon, NASA GSFC.) The Saffir-Simpson Scale In the early 1970s, a classification system was designed to quantify the level of damage and flooding expected from a hurricane. This system was conceived by Herbert Saffir, a consulting engineer, and Robert Simpson, then the director of the National Hurricane Center. Using a mix of structural engineering and meteorology, they constructed the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale, or simply, the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Consisting of 5 categories (1 being the weakest and 5 being the strongest), the scale corresponds to a hurricane’s central pressure, maximum sustained winds, and storm surge. Sustained wind speeds are the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Categories 3, 4, and 5 are considered major (intense) hurricanes, capable of inflicting great damage and loss of life. 
Category 1: Winds 119-153 km/hr (74-95 mph). Storm surge generally 4-5 feet above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Winds from Hurricane Katrina damaged this sign in Dequincy, Louisiana. (Image Copyright © sidehike/Flickr.) 
Directory: ourpages -> auto -> 2016 2016 -> Typhoon (the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline) 2016 -> A kq2a: What is the pattern of air movement in the troposphere? Variations in global insolation 2016 -> District 26 family night at citi field september 20, 2016 New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves 2016 -> C/Linux Programming Syllabus – Fall 2016 Instructor: Carol Yarbrough, asfa computer Science Email 2016 -> Mid-term exam schedule january 2017 Mon., Jan. 23 – 8: 30am 2016 -> Science Skills Center High School Dr. Dahlia McGregor, Principal ap computer Science A 2016 -> Short Essay Response to Emily Dickinson's Poetry (1 page minimum, 1 ½ page maximum) Due Date: Tuesday, March 8th 2016 -> Program: University of Illinois Chicago Chance & stem academy University Name 2016 -> Fourth Grade ela/ss winter Packet Thursday, December 22 2016 -> Chapter Questions Download 448.17 Kb. Share with your friends:
|