Hurricane, one of the devastating natural phenomenon has several unknown scientific facts.
A natural disaster can be of any form. It can be Tsunami, hurricane, wildfire, flood, and so on. The consequences are far-reaching. It takes away millions of lives along with the damaging landscape. Scientifically, no disaster is termed the most severe. All sorts of disasters can be dangerous to mankind. Hurricane, associated with extremely heavy wind and rainfall has a long history of destruction. In this article, we will discuss some breathtaking facts about hurricanes. Continue reading.
Hurricane: what is it scientifically?
A hurricane is a moderate to severe tropical cyclone occurring mostly in the eastern Pacific Ocean, southern Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico. All those coastal areas are very much susceptible to hurricanes. Generally, Tropical cyclones are associated with low thunderstorm activity with counterclockwise rotating activities. The categorization is dependent on wind speed. A tropical cyclone with less than 38 mph windspeed is known as a tropical depression. When the windspeed is between 39-73 mph, it is called a tropical storm. If the windspeed exceeds 74 mph, it is called a hurricane.
The eye of the hurricane: the most important part as well as an indicator:
The eye represents the core of the hurricane, which remains very warm. This spot is formed as air rushes down to fill the void due to the low air pressure area. The temperature of the eye can exceed 80°F.
How the 'hurricane' term was derived?
The original term is Hurucane, which is a Taino Native American word. It means the evil spirit of the wind.
The first hurricane:
The first ever hurricane that took numerous lives occurred in 1943 during the Second World War. The energy associated with a gigantic hurricane is equivalent to 600 atomic bombs per minute.
When do hurricanes occur?
Generally, Hurricanes occur from June to November. During this time, the sea temperature increases providing conducive weather for hurricanes. However, in the Pacific Ocean, it can start forming during mid-May.
The deadliest hurricane:
The deadliest hurricane occurred in Texas and Galveston in 1990, killing at least 8000 people. The windspeed was around 130 mph. According to some reports, the hurricane has killed at least 1.9 million humans over the last 2 centuries.
Open the window or close it? What is the best option?
For decades, people assumed that keeping the window open will equalize the pressure inside the room as the hurricane approaches. However, this is not a good trick to follow. If the windspeed is extremely high, the window might be broken. Generally, the hurricane is associated with heavy rainfall, thus, you must close your windows.
Unfortunately, Hurricanes are natural calamities that cannot be prevented or controlled by manpower. If you hear any warnings related to the hurricane, take precautions and if possible, leave the place.
