Laboratory Activity No.

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STORM SURGE
BACKGROUND
A storm surge is a localized unusual increase of sea water level beyond the predicted
astronomical tide level due to intense winds and lowered atmospheric pressure during the
passage of an intense tropical cyclone from the sea to the land. While storm surges can also be
formed by tropical cyclones coming from the land going to the sea, these are more likely to be
weaker. Storm surges are the primary cause of about 90% of casualties and damage to properties
in coastal areas during a tropical cyclone.

OBJECTIVES
After this activity, the students will be able to:
 Model the behavior of a storm surge by modifying wind and coast related
parameters.
 Increase awareness with the hazards and potential damage associated with the
occurrence of storm surge.

MATERIALS
Materials/Chemicals/Reagents Apparatus/Equipment

1pc rectangular baking pan or disposable

aluminum baking pan
3 pcs miniature houses made of carton or
board
hair blow dryer
2 pcs garbage bag
2 pcs rags
1 bar brown clay
1pc 12 - inches ruler
PRECAUTIONS
 Avoid playing inside the laboratory room to prevent spillage of water.
 Wear your laboratory gown.

PROCEDURES

1. Clay will be used to create land on one end of the baking pan. The land portion
should be around 10cm wide and 3cm high. Miniature houses should be sited
along the coast and further inland. The coast should be initially molded straight.
2. After creating the land portion, carefully fill the baking pan with water until it
reaches 2cm. The poured water will serve as the ocean.
3. Once the baking pan has already been filled with water, line the base of the
baking pan with a garbage bag to prevent water from spreading all over the
workplace.

FEU CAVITE
Senior High School Department
Science Laboratories
 4. Use hair blow dryer to cause water to flow perpendicular to the coast. This
resembles the winds of tropical cyclone. Take note of the effects of the various
modifications in the set-up in terms of storm surge height and extent of
flooding. Use camera to take pictures and/or video.
5. Try varying the angle at which air is being blown toward the coast and speed
level of the hair blow dryer. Try also modifying the straight coast into a
concave or convex coast.
6. Find out what happens if water is made to flow continuously from that river
while wind is made to blow onshore.
7. Try repeating the step 4 with a much gentler slope. Do this by flattening the
originally 2cm thick edge of the land portion gradually such that the width of
the land portion will extend by 3-4 cm.
8. Mold an elongate and parallel island a few centimeters off of the straight coast.
Do this also for the concave and straight coasts.

REFERENCES
Rimando, R. E., Belen, Josefina G., 2016. Disaster Readiness and Risk Reduction. First
Edition. Rex Bookstore, Inc. Quezon City. pp 194 - 195

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Senior High School Department
Science Laboratories
DATA SHEET
Name(s): ____________________________ Date Performed: _________________
Section: ____________________________ Date Submitted: _________________
Instructor: ____________________________ Subject: _________________
Laboratory Activity No.:_____
Score:
STORM SURGE

DATA AND RESULTS

Draw your storm surge set-up.

Before After

GUIDE QUESTIONS:
1. What happens when you use the hair blow dryer on the surface of the water perpendicular to the
coast? Does the water reach the inland (clay land)? Describe how far and how high.
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2. At which angle (estimate the degree of angle) of wind blowing is the effect of storm surge most
intense?
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FEU CAVITE
Senior High School Department
Science Laboratories
3. How does the speed level of the hair blow dryer affects the behavior of the storm surge?
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4. What happens when water is blown towards the concave coast? Explain the relationship you
observe.
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CONCLUSIONS
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FEU CAVITE
Senior High School Department
Science Laboratories