NATURAL DISASTERS

In this topic, we will look at the following:

● Cyclones- tropical cyclones and hurricanes
● Tidal waves and tsunamis
● Volcanoes
● Earthquakes

CYCLONIC STORMS:
A cyclone is a large-scale wind system that revolves around a low-pressure centre.
TROPICAL CYCLONES: How are they formed?
● When the surrounding temperature is greater than 27°C, the vast area masses of
hot, moist air will expand and rise creating a low-pressure system.
● Winds pulled by this low-pressure system moves anticlockwise in the northern
hemisphere and in a clockwise direction in the southern hemisphere.
● Water vapour from the oceans is sucked up in the atmosphere very fast creating
cumulonimbus clouds and torrential rains.
● The centre of the storm or the EYE, is a calm-low pressure region with few clouds
and little to no rain.
● The eye is encircled by the eyewall. This is the most destructive part of the storm as
it has the strongest winds and heaviest rainfall.

Figure above: A hurricane

Videos to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LlXVikDkyTg,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxF8fPdtGao
Classification of tropical cyclones:
CLASSIFICATION WIND SPEED (km h-1)
Tropical depression Less than 63
Tropical storm 63-118
Hurricane Greater than 118
Note: Atlantic hurricane season- June 1 to November 30, this is where the water is the
warmest and very humid.
WEATHER DURING A HURRICANE:
● Hurricanes developing in the Atlantic move westward across the ocean and gain
strength until they reach land.
● As the storm is approaching, there is a drop in atmospheric pressure. Winds become
stronger and dark nimbus clouds (rain clouds) appear in bands, bring the heavy rain.
● Coming closer to the eye, the most destructive occurs.
● Over the eye, the pressure drops and there is calm
● As the eye passes, the rains and wind speed returns but in an opposite direction.
● This bad weather occurs for some time until it weakens.
● Wind speed reduces over land because for friction with the land and the storm is no
longer fed by the water vapour from the oceans.

HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS:

● Have charged battery packs or generators available in case the electricity is cut off
● Stay tuned to the news media via a battery-operated radio.
● Ensure that your flashlights and lamps are functioning.
● Ensure that vehicles have a full tank of fuel.
● Secure doors and windows with straps or shutters and place tape on glass to reduce
splintering.
● Trim or remove damaged trees or limbs and remove any trees that are close enough to
fall onto buildings.
● Anchor or store indoors any objects that could become projectiles.
● Pack loose objects in cupboards and secure important documents in sealed plastic
bags.
● Have a stock of canned and dried foods that do not require refrigeration.
● Keep pets indoors and ensure that they wear identification or are microchipped.
● Know the whereabouts of the nearest secure shelter in case you need to evacuate.
TIDAL WAVES AND TSUNAMIS
A tidal wave is a shallow-water wave that is created due to the gravitational interactions
among the Sun, the Moon, and the Earth.

Tidal waves are not tsunamis.

A tsunami is a large deep-water wave created due to coastal landslide, an undersea volcanic
eruptions or earthquake, or a huge meteorite crashing into the ocean.

The difference between a normal ocean wave and a tsunami, is that the normal wave
produced by the wind carries energy only along the surface. Tsunamis, however, are created
by disturbances on the ocean floor and carry the energy through a massive amount of water.

Tsunamis can travel at speeds ranging from 40 km h–1 near land to 800 km h–1 in deep water.
● In open water the top of the wave is seen as 1 m above the surface, but as the wave
approaches land, this can grow as tall as 30 m.
● Just before reaching the coast, water is sucked outwards and upwards into the
swell/wave, which then moves with a destructive force.
● As the water retreats or moves back into the ocean, it carries debris with it, causing
even more destruction.

Videos to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mp4ec14BndQ ,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OQ3oXIjPmaE

VOLCANOES
A volcano is an opening in an earth’s crust from which molten lava, rock fragments,
ashes, dust, and gases are ejected from deep below its surface. These gases are mainly water
vapor (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulphur dioxide (SO2). The remaining very small
amounts of gases is comprised of little amounts of hydrogen sulphide, carbon monoxide,
hydrogen chloride, hydrogen fluoride, and other minor gas types.

FORMATION OF A VOLCANO
● The core of the earth consists of very hot molten rock known as magma which is
trying to expand outwards.
● Tectonic plates slowly drift on the magma.
● When these plates slip or collide against each other, magma make its way upwards
through cracks and fissures.
● The pressure in the vent can cause it to explode outwards, throwing pyroclastic
materials (rocks, ashes, and gases) as well as molten lava (magma that has reached
the surface) high into the air and producing thick clouds of pungent smoke.
TYPES OF VOLCANOES
KICK ‘EM JENNY
● Kick ’em Jenny is an active submarine volcano located 8 km north of Grenada.
● It is 1300 m above the sea floor and its highest point is 180 m below the sea surface.
● It erupted in 1939 sending a cloud of steam and debris almost 300 m into the air and
causing a small tsunami. Since then, it has erupted at least 12 times.

ECOLOGICAL CONSEQUENCES OF VOLCANOES:

POSITIVE NEGATIVE
Volcanic materials may contain minerals Flowing materials from volcano destroys
such as gold and copper plants, animals
Lava which is weathered becomes fertile Ash may block off sunlight, reducing
soil photosynthesis
Hot springs may provide geothermal energy Landslides
and used in therapy
Increase tourism Dead animals may pollute the water and
environment
Landscapes destroyed

Video to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VNGUdObDoLk

EARTHQUAKES

Earthquakes are produced when the forces between tectonic plates result in unexpected bursts
of energy in the form of shock waves known as seismic waves. This results in the shaking of
the earth’s surface.

The hypocentre or focus is where the earthquake originates below the surface

The epicentre is the point on the surface directly above the focus where vibrations are
usually strongest.

A seismograph is a device that measures movement of the ground by producing a graph

(known as a seismogram).

The Richter scale is a scale of 1 to 10 used to compare earthquakes. Larger the number,
stronger the earthquake.

For each whole number increase on the Richter scale:

• the amplitude of the vibration increases by a factor of 10, and
• the energy released increases by a factor of about 30.

THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN VOLCANOES AND EARTHQUAKES

VOLCANO EARTHQUAKE
Happens along the edges of the tectonic Same
plate
Occurs when magma is forced upwards as Occurs when vibrations are produces as
plates collide, slide, or separate from each plates collide, slide, or separate from each
other other
Volcanoes can cause earthquakes as pressure Earthquakes can cause volcanic eruptions by
and heat from the magma can crack rocks creating cracks for magma to rise through or
and therefore produce vibrations. by weakening the top of a magma chamber
permitting the release of heat and pressure.

Video to watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_r_nFT2m-Vg

QUESTIONS

# Q A
1

4
5

8
9

10 Specimen P 2009

11

12 June 1991/ 2004

13 June 1991
 14 June 1999/2001/2003

June 2003

15 Specimen 2008

June 2018 No 6
State THREE substances released from a volcanic eruption and describe THREE negative
impacts and ONE positive impact of a volcanic eruption. (7)

June 2008 No 3
People in a Caribbean country awoke to loud rumblings and saw red hot lava being emitted
into the air.
(a) What natural disaster could have caused this? (1)
(b) What is lava? (2)
(c) Many persons migrated from the area where the lava was emitted. Suggest TWO
possible reasons for this migration. (2)
(d) State TWO precautions that the residents may adopt to protect themselves. (2)
(e) Meteorologists in surrounding Caribbean islands have indicated that the dust present I
the air of their countries came from the nearby natural disaster. Describe how this
could have happened. (2)
(f) Suggest TWO ways in which the natural disaster can economically benefit the country
in the long term. (2)
(g) List TWO other natural disasters that have affected the Caribbean. (2)
(h) List TWO features or environmental impacts of ONE of the natural disasters listed in
(g) above (2)