Tropical storms and warm oceans
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Question
Define a tropical storm.
Answer
A large, rotating **low-pressure** system with very strong winds and heavy rain, fuelled by a **warm ocean**.
Question
Hurricane vs typhoon vs cyclone?
Answer
The same hazard in different regions: **hurricane** (Atlantic/E Pacific), **typhoon** (W Pacific/Asia), **cyclone** (Indian Ocean/Australia).
Question
What sea-surface temperature do storms need?
Answer
About **26.5 °C or warmer**, and warm to roughly 50 m depth, to supply enough energy.
Question
Define latent heat (in a storm).
Answer
The **energy released when water vapour condenses** into cloud — the storm's fuel.
Question
What is the Coriolis effect's role?
Answer
The Earth's spin makes the storm **rotate**; it also stops storms forming right on the Equator.
Question
What is a storm surge?
Answer
The wall of seawater the winds push ashore — usually the **deadliest** part of the hazard.
Question
Explain the warm-ocean mechanism.
Answer
Warm sea → **evaporation** → vapour rises and condenses, releasing **latent heat** → air rises faster, pressure falls, storm intensifies.
Question
Why does a storm weaken over land or cool water?
Answer
Its **fuel is cut off** — no warm-water evaporation, so it loses energy and the winds drop.
Question
How can warmer oceans raise the danger?
Answer
More energy (stronger winds), more rain, and a **higher storm surge** — and they widen where storms can form.
Question
Reading a storm track: State vs Estimate?
Answer
**State** = read a direction/region straight off; **Estimate** = the **time gap** between two points (or distance ÷ speed).
Question
Why is danger not only about the storm's strength?
Answer
**Vulnerability** matters too — low, crowded, poor coasts (e.g. the **Sundarbans**) suffer most for a given storm.
Question
What does a top [10] Examine answer need?
Answer
Two+ developed points (warm-ocean mechanism AND vulnerability), a named example, accurate terms, and a clear judgement.
Read the notes
Full study notes for Tropical storms and warm oceans
Topic 8.1 hub
Ocean-atmosphere interactions
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Geography exam skills
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