What is a cyclone?
A cyclone is a large wind system that rotates inward to an area of low atmospheric pressure. Cyclones can spread over 800 kilometers in diameter. A cyclone can rotate with a counterclockwise circulation (northern hemisphere) or a clockwise circulation (southern hemisphere). A cyclone can also be called a tornado, twister, typhoon or a hurricane depending on where one lives.
What is the damage?
Cyclones are incredibly dangerous for those living around tropical areas. Many features of a cyclone are disruptive and damaging however the most destructive force of a cyclone comes from the fierce winds. These winds are strong enough to easily collapse sheds, trees, power poles and caravans, while flinging all sizes of people through the air. Many people are killed as the cyclone's winds can cause buildings to break down and houses to completely blow away.
A cyclone can also cause giant waves and surges of water known as storm surges. The water of a storm surge can then rush inland with unthinkable power, flooding low-lying coastal areas. If this wasn't enough the rains from cyclones are also heavy enough to cause flooding.
Many, both animal and human, die due to cyclones.Houses and building are lost too. The majority of the time, Cyclones cause both emotional and financial damage where ever they hit.
A cyclone can also cause giant waves and surges of water known as storm surges. The water of a storm surge can then rush inland with unthinkable power, flooding low-lying coastal areas. If this wasn't enough the rains from cyclones are also heavy enough to cause flooding.
Many, both animal and human, die due to cyclones.Houses and building are lost too. The majority of the time, Cyclones cause both emotional and financial damage where ever they hit.
How does it occur?
Cyclones are developed over warm seas near the Equator. As the air is heated by the sun it rises which creates an area of very low pressure.Whilst the warm air is rising, it becomes loaded with moisture causing thunderclouds (a cyclone is basically a huge revolving storm). Cool air rushes in to fill the void that is left, however as the earth is constantly turning on its axis, the air is bent inwards and then forcefully spirals upwards. The swirling winds rotate faster and faster, forming a huge circle.
Differences between Hurricanes, Tornados, Typhoons and Cyclones:
All four of these events are basically the same thing happening for the same reasons with the same features. However ,they are all called something else because of their slight differences mainly to do with where they occur.
Hurricanes- Occur in the USA and around the West Atlantic Ocean.
Typhoons- Found in the Western Pacific Ocean and around Asia. Winds from a typhoon usually are stronger than a hurricane, however they endanger far less land area due to their locations. Hurricanes and typhoons form over water and are huge, while tornados form over land and are much smaller in size.
Tornadoes- Can be up to 4km across, and are usually no more than a few hundred meters wide, while cyclones are hundreds of kilometers across, tornadoes form primarily over land, only last a few minutes.
Hurricanes- Occur in the USA and around the West Atlantic Ocean.
Typhoons- Found in the Western Pacific Ocean and around Asia. Winds from a typhoon usually are stronger than a hurricane, however they endanger far less land area due to their locations. Hurricanes and typhoons form over water and are huge, while tornados form over land and are much smaller in size.
Tornadoes- Can be up to 4km across, and are usually no more than a few hundred meters wide, while cyclones are hundreds of kilometers across, tornadoes form primarily over land, only last a few minutes.
The eye
The eye of a cyclone is within the centre of a cyclone. The eye is a completely calm, cloudless area in which there is no rain and the winds are extremely milder in comparison to the outer parts of a cyclone.
Facts
- Winds around the eye can reach speeds of up to 200 km/h.
- A fully developed cyclone lets out about two million tonnes of air per second.
- In order for a cyclone to develop the water beneath it must be at least 26ºC- In Australia we call this wind a cyclone where as in the USA they use the term hurricanes and in Asia, Typhoons.
- Cyclones can last for several hours and can last for more than 2 weeks over open waters.
- Cyclones have been known to relieve drought conditions.
- The smaller the eye of a cyclone the stronger the storm.
- Air currents do not allow cyclones to cross over equatorial lines.
- A fully developed cyclone lets out about two million tonnes of air per second.
- In order for a cyclone to develop the water beneath it must be at least 26ºC- In Australia we call this wind a cyclone where as in the USA they use the term hurricanes and in Asia, Typhoons.
- Cyclones can last for several hours and can last for more than 2 weeks over open waters.
- Cyclones have been known to relieve drought conditions.
- The smaller the eye of a cyclone the stronger the storm.
- Air currents do not allow cyclones to cross over equatorial lines.