Anda di halaman 1dari 3

1.

2: What is extreme weather: Case study Cyclones

1.2: What is extreme weather: Case study - Cyclones

Cyclones are low pressure systems that form over warm tropical waters and have gale force winds at the centre (Bureau of Meteorology [BOM], 2014b).

The ingredients of a cyclone are: A cluster of thunderstorms and a warm body of water that provides energy to fuel this storm. The water under the storm
evaporates then condenses to form clouds, releasing heat in this process. The heat and moisture from this warm water is the source of energy for cyclones. High
relative humidity is also important as it reduces the amount of evaporation in clouds which maximises the latent heat released because there is more precipitation
(Earth Science Organisation, n.d.).

The heat energy along with the rotation of the Earth enables the cyclone to spin and propel forwards. It is usually accompanied by heavy rain and strong winds
(Australian Geographic, n.d.).

Cyclone systems rely on the circulation of the Earth, so they form at least 5 degrees away from the equator (Australian Broadcasting [ABC], 2014)

Cyclones can last for days and usually disperse over land or cooler oceans (BOM, 2014c).

La Nina events can cause an increase in cyclones experienced here in Australia during the cyclone season-Nov-April. La Nina is an extensive cooling of the
central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which results in warmer sea surface temperatures in the western Pacific and to the north of Australia (BOM, 2014d).

Cyclones are important for re-distributing heat across colder parts of the ocean (MET, 2011).

2.4: The Greenhouse Effect

Earth is considered a closed system as it allows solar energy to be exchanged but only a small amount of matter (Skinner, Porter & Botkin, 1999).

The Earths atmosphere is the mechanism behind the climate system and the Sun provides the energy for the climate system to work (Skinner et al., 1999).

2.4: The Greenhouse Effect

Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) include; water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone, carbon dioxide, and some human chemicals like chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs).
Naturally occurring GHG through the process of GHE keep the Earth at an average of 15 0C instead of -180C (Ma, 1998).
Earth would be inhabitable without the Greenhouse Effect (GHE) (Skinner et al., 1999).
The GHE begins with the suns emitted energy. As it passes through Earths atmosphere (shortwave radiation), some is reflected back to space by clouds and
dust while some reaches the surface to heat the Earth (Skinner et al., 1999). The Earth emits this infrared thermal energy (longwave radiation), losing about 300% to
space while the remainder becomes absorbed by GHG, which reradiates the energy back to the lower atmosphere and surface in different directions (Ma, 1998).
Since reradiated energy is kept at the lower atmosphere, this causes surface temperature to rise (Skinner et al., 1999).
The loss of energy to space is due to clouds as they can provide negative feedback by increasing the amount of thermal loss or positive feedback by trapping the
emitted thermal energy (Ma, 1998).
Negative feedback maintains a constant condition as response is opposite to output; while positive feedback increases output leading to destabilisation
(Skinner et al., 1999).

0%-4% of the air by volume may be water vapour. This depends on temperature, the warmer the air, the more water vapour the air can hold. In dry artic regions it
is usually less than 1% while it is about 4% in humid tropical areas (Skinner et al., 1999).

3.1: Is the climate undergoing change?

3.1: Is the climate undergoing change?

Weather is a short term occurrence which can change in a small period of time. Climate is the average weather condition for an area and needs to be measured
over years (Skinner et al., 1999).

Carbon dioxide is produced naturally by plants through photosynthesis, volcanic eruptions, decomposition of plant matter and respiration. Humans contribute
through deforestation and burning of fossil fuels (Australian Government Department of the Environment, n.d; North Carolina State University, n.d.b; United States Environmental
Protection Agency, n.d.).

Increase in carbon dioxide levels increases temperature due to how clouds are able to provide positive feedback to trap the emitted thermal energy (Ma, 1998).
Air becomes saturated with water vapour causing clouds to form which further trap thermal energy from escaping and increasing surface temperature (Ma, 1998).

4.2: Mitigating

4.2: Mitigating against the impact of cyclones

Storm surge is a massive dome of water that can come out of a cyclone that reaches land. A storm surge is approximately 60-80 km wide and typically about 2-5
m higher than the normal tide level. A storm surge can be the most destructive phenomenon of a tropical cyclone, as it not just causes flooding-but the actual
force of the water travelling at very high speeds can cause extensive damage (ABC, 2014).

Anda mungkin juga menyukai