WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD-SCIENCE BLOG

INTRODUCTION

We live on the earth. It surrounds a layer of air which we term as atmosphere. When the air is moving then we term it as wind. If there is violent movement of air sometimes accompanied by heavy rain and falling of thunder causing violent atmospheric condition, then there is a chance of natural disaster in what is a natural hazard.

VARIOUS NATURAL HAZARDS

There are different natural hazards like Thunderstorms, Cyclones, Tornadoes etc. Here I am trying to explain the causes of the following natural calamities.

THUNDERSTORMS IN WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD

Violent moving air, falling of thunder and heavy rain characterize the thunderstorms

CAUSES

In certain places, warm air rises , producing low pressure in that place. By this way dark clouds form. It causes lightning  with severe sounds and heavy rain as violent atmospheric condition. Thunderstorms generally forms in the place of high humidity like humid tropical areas (India) .

CYCLONES IN WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD

This hazard is a type of weather condition accompanied by high speed winds revolving around a central axis of very low pressure.

CAUSES

In hot sea water surface , warm water rises and condenses to form clouds. By this process a region of low pressure is created. Cool air from surrounding rushes to fill up the place. This is a process when warm up moves and it is replaced by cool air repeatedly to form cycle or air current. During the formation of cyclone it spreads over 20 to 30 kilometer radius along with heaviest rain and strong wind resulting natural hazard.  When cyclone moves over the land it starts to reduce its strength. Because   gradually it does not get heat energy and moisture from warm sea water .

TORNADOES IN WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD

It is a violent spinning storm in the shape of a dark funnel with a narrow end on the land. These happens over sea and we term it also water spouts. We can easily observe in Canada and USA.

CAUSES OF TORNADOES

When the warm air from the earth’s surface rises up, it spins around it and causes very high speed winds. This is not bigger like cyclones as natural hazard. Wind speed of 500 km/hr can form a funnel shaped structure. It sucks up everything at its base like dust, waste materials, even cars , trees, sometimes houses also. It is one of the violent atmospheric condition.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY

In the early century, the coastal region people have huge loss as there were no proper forecast. So, they  cannot evacuate their homes in time. That is why, there are many life loss .

But now a days, the today’s situation is totally different. Now we can feel much protected. We have satellites and radars which can issue the cyclone watch or cyclone alert before 48 hrs in advance of any expected storm .

 Thus, we can get better protection from cyclones through these advanced technology. Several national and international organization cooperate to monitor the cyclone related disaster.

 CONCEPTUAL QUESTION ANSWER ON WHAT IS A NATURAL HAZARD

Qs1: Due to uneven heating of land and ocean water what happens in winter season and summer season?

Ans1:  Because of differentiation of land  heating and sea water heating , these phenomena is happening.

In winter season:  The uneven heating of land and water generates winds from the North-West colder land which carry little water. In brings small amount of rain in winter season.

During summer season:  If there is difference heating  of land and sea water, wind blows from the direction of South and west. It creates humid air collected from the Indian ocean causing violent atmospheric condition.

  Qs2:  There is a residence with sea facing balcony. People hung some clothes in the balcony. In the afternoon, clothes will be blown. Mention the direction of clothes blowing.

 Ans2: Due to sun heat, the soil becomes hot . The air adjacent to land also becomes hot in afternoon. Hot air becomes lighter and rises up. It creates low pressure in the air. Thus, sea breeze blows  from the sea  towards the land .So we see the clothes will move towards the house.

ANSWER IN BRIEF ABOUT TORNADOES

Qs3: Mention the destructions caused by cyclones as well as tornadoes as natural hazard.

Ans3: Cyclones cause widespread destruction and loss of life in coastal areas. When the strong winds push water towards the shore even if the storm is hundreds of kilometer away. It gives the first indication of an approaching cyclones.

  The cyclones as violent atmospheric condition creates severe speedy wind with heavy force. During this high speed wind, trees are damaged, electric and telephone poles are uprooted. It destroys vehicles and houses, people are injured. Sometimes rising water may be up to 3-12 mt height. It enters into the coastal area like a water wall. Due to this reason, there is submerging of coastal area. This large water wall damages roads and railway tracks. Hence, saline water mixes in the soil and destroys the crops. It reduces the fertility of soil.

Qs4: What are the safety measures should government take against cyclones and tornadoes?

Ans4: The following safety measures by Government:

Government must install cyclone forecasting and warning system

Authority must inform people about the cyclone in time through rapid communication system.

They must construct cyclone-shelter in cyclone prone areas.

Administration must shift people faster to safer places.

QUESTIONS ABOUT TORNADOES

Qs5: What are the destructions caused by tornadoes?

Ans5: Tornadoes cause much damage due to the heavy force of its high speed wind. Following destructions caused by tornado in what is a natural hazard are:

• It damages trees, long electric and telephone poles. So city people get interrupted  telephone service.  There is continuous power cut during tornadoes.
•  Sometimes it lifts people and vehicles off the ground and hurls them hundreds of meter away. It is followed by mass death and destruction of automobiles.
•  Tornadoes cause extensive damage to buildings. There is pressure differentiation between building and outside. It can destroy the building.

Qs6: Mention the protective measures from tornadoes.

Ans6: Precautions from tornadoes are:

• One should   go inside the room having no window like place like basement during tornadoes
• We should shut all the doors and windows and take shelter under the study table.
• People must bend down on their knees and protect their head and neck using your arms.
• If someone is in the vehicles and tornadoes begin, he should get out of the vehicle and take shelter in a law-lying areas and lie flat in it.