What is the difference between a hurricane and a tornado? What is the difference between a hurricane and a typhoon? Tornado is a dangerous phenomenon

Our planet is beautiful, and people consider themselves rightful masters on it. They changed her face like nothing before the beginning of human life. But there are forces that simply cannot be controlled, even using the highest technologies. These include hurricanes, storms, tornadoes, which constantly destroy everything that is dear to people. And it is impossible to stop it. You can only hide and wait for the end of nature’s wrath. So how do these phenomena occur and what consequences do the victims face? The answers to these questions have long been given by scientists.

Hurricane

A hurricane is a complex weather phenomenon. Its main characteristic is a very strong wind, with a speed of more than 30 meters per second (120 km/h). Its second name is typhoon, which is a huge whirlwind. The pressure in the very center is reduced. Forecasters also clarify that a hurricane is a tropical cyclone if it formed in South or North America. The life cycle of this monster lasts from 9 to 12 days. At this time, he moves around the planet, causing damage to everything he comes across. For convenience, each of them is assigned a name, most often a female one. A hurricane is, among other things, a huge clot of energy, which in its power is not inferior to an earthquake. One hour of the vortex's life releases about 36 megatons of energy, as in a nuclear explosion.

Causes of hurricanes

Scientists call the ocean the constant source of this phenomenon, namely those areas that are located in the tropics. The likelihood of a hurricane increases as you approach the equator. There are many reasons for its appearance. It could be, for example, the force with which our planet rotates, or differences in temperature between layers of the atmosphere, or differences in atmospheric pressure. But these processes may not be the beginning of a hurricane. Another of the main conditions for the formation of a typhoon is a certain temperature of the underlying surface, namely water. It should not be below 27 degrees Celsius. This shows that in order for a hurricane to form at sea, a combination of favorable factors is needed.

Storm

A storm is also characterized by strong winds, but its speed is lower than that of a hurricane. The speed of wind gusts in the storm is 24 meters per second (85 km/h). It can pass both over the water areas of the planet and over land. It can be quite large in area. The duration of a storm can be a couple of hours or several days. At this time there is very heavy rainfall. This leads to additional destructive phenomena such as landslides and mudflows. This phenomenon is located at a level lower than a hurricane on the Beaufort scale. A storm at its most extreme can reach force 11. The storm that was recorded in 2011 is considered the strongest. It passed over the Philippine Islands and caused thousands of deaths and millions of dollars worth of destruction.

Classification of storms and hurricanes

Hurricanes are divided into two types:

Tropical - those that originated in the tropics;

Extratropical - those that originated in other parts of the planet.

Extratropical ones are divided into:

• those that originated in the Atlantic Ocean region;
• those that originate over the Pacific Ocean (typhoons).

There is no generally accepted classification of storms yet. But most weather forecasters divide them into:

Vortex - complex formations arising from cyclones and covering a large area;

Stream storms are small storms of a local nature.

A whirlwind storm can be snowy, dusty or squally. In winter, such storms are also called blizzards or blizzards. Squalls can occur very quickly and end just as quickly.

A flow storm can be a jet or a katabatic storm. If it is a jet, then the air moves horizontally or rises along a slope, and if it is a runoff, then it moves down a slope.

Tornado

Hurricanes and tornadoes very often accompany each other. A tornado is a vortex in which air moves from bottom to top. This happens at extremely high speed. The air there is mixed with various particles such as sand and dust. This is a funnel that hangs from a cloud and rests on the ground, somewhat similar to a trunk. Its diameter can vary from tens to hundreds of meters. The second name for this phenomenon is “tornado”. As it approaches, a terrible roar is heard. As the tornado moves, it sucks in everything it can tear off and lifts it up in a spiral. If this funnel appears, then it is a hurricane of terrible proportions. A tornado can reach speeds of about 60 km/h. It is very difficult to predict this phenomenon, which worsens the situation and leads to large losses. Hurricanes and tornadoes have claimed many lives throughout the history of their existence.

Beaufort scale

Hurricanes, storms, tornadoes are natural phenomena that can occur anywhere on Earth. In order to understand their scale and be able to compare them, a measurement system is needed. For this, the Beaufort scale is used. It is based on a visual assessment of what is happening and measures the wind strength in points. It was developed in 1806 for his own needs by a native of England, Admiral F. Beaufort. In 1874 it became generally accepted and has since been used by all weather forecasters. It was further clarified and supplemented. The points in it are distributed from 0 to 12. If 0 points, then this is complete calm, if 12 is a hurricane, bringing with it severe destruction. In 1955, the USA and England added 5 more points to the existing ones, that is, from 13 to 17. They are used by these countries.

Why is a hurricane scary?

One of the most dangerous meteorological phenomena can be called a hurricane. The wind moves at great speed in it, causing great harm to people and their property. In addition, these air currents carry with them dirt, sand and water, which leads to mudflows. Huge downpours cause floods, and if it happens in winter, avalanches often occur. Strong winds destroy structures, tear out trees, overturn cars, and blow people away. Very often, fires and explosions occur due to damage to electrical networks or gas pipelines. Thus, the effects of a hurricane are dire, making them very dangerous.

Hurricanes in Russia

Hurricanes can threaten any part of Russia, but most often they occur in the Khabarovsk and Primorsky territories, Kamchatka, Sakhalin, Chukotka or the Kuril Islands. This misfortune can happen at any time, and August and September are considered the most dangerous. Forecasters are trying to anticipate such recurrence and warn the population about the danger. Tornadoes may also appear on the territory of the Russian Federation. The most susceptible to this phenomenon are the water areas and sea coasts, Siberia, the Urals, the Volga region and the central regions of the state.

Actions of the population in case of a hurricane

Every person should understand that a hurricane is a deadly phenomenon. If there is a warning about it, you need to act quickly. The first step is to strengthen everything that can be torn off the ground, remove fire hazards and stock up on food and clean water for a couple of days ahead. You also need to move away from the windows; it is better to go to where there are none at all. Electricity, water and gas equipment should be turned off. Candles, lanterns and lamps are used for lighting. To receive weather information, you need to turn on the radio. If you follow these recommendations, your life will not be in danger.

Thus, hurricanes are distributed throughout the globe, making them a problem for all people. It should be remembered that they are extremely dangerous, so you must strictly follow all instructions in order to save your life.

Emergencies such as natural disasters pose a grave threat to all living things. Often they arise completely suddenly, catching a person by surprise. The category of natural phenomena formed as a result of sudden changes in pressure in the atmosphere includes a tornado and a hurricane. Fortunately, most of us have not had to come close to the mentioned elements. Therefore, their scale and destructive power are not known to everyone. In this article we will tell you how a tornado differs from a hurricane.

Definitions

Tornado- an atmospheric vortex that arises in a thundercloud and descends. Often it reaches the very surface of the earth. It looks like a trunk or cloud sleeve, the diameter of which covers tens and sometimes even hundreds of meters. Such a natural phenomenon that forms over the surface of the water is often called a “tornado.” But in general there is no fundamental difference between the two definitions. Tornado and tornado are synonymous words. The term itself comes from the Old Russian “smrch”, which means “cloud”. The longest disaster recorded in the United States was in 1917. In almost 7.5 hours, the whirlwind covered a distance of 500 km and caused the death of 110 people. Often, a tornado is hidden behind a layer of rain and dust, making it difficult for meteorologists to recognize it in a timely manner.

Tornado

Hurricane– a strong wind, the speed of which can reach 120 kilometers per hour. The strength of the element is determined on a 12-point scale. The scale of this natural phenomenon is comparable to an earthquake. It covers a vast territory and lasts several days. According to the observations of scientists, hurricanes occur mainly at the end of summer. At this time, the already fairly heated water begins to evaporate intensively. Cold currents come from the bottom, creating a vortex several tens of kilometers wide on the surface. Moreover, at the epicenter of the funnel the weather remains absolutely calm, while wind and storm rage at the edges. Gradually, the hurricane moves to land, where it loses its strength within a few days. In Russia, disasters of a similar scale were observed in Chukotka, Kamchatka and Sakhalin, as well as in the Primorsky and Khabarovsk territories.

Comparison

To begin with, we note that both phenomena under consideration represent rapid wind movement in a certain direction. They can safely be called atmospheric vortices. However, while a tornado originates in the sky, a hurricane originates in the sea. The funnel of the first does not exceed 3 km in diameter. The average speed of the storm is from 20 to 60 km per hour. As for the duration of the phenomenon, the maximum duration of its activity is only a few hours. A hurricane is a much larger disaster in terms of area coverage. Moving at a speed of 120-200 km per hour, it affects huge areas. The life cycle of a natural phenomenon is on average 9-12 days. The diameter of the epicenter of the disaster ranges from 5 to 20 km.

Perhaps the main difference between a tornado and a hurricane is the volume of its destruction. Despite the relatively small diameter of the funnel, the first phenomenon has simply unimaginable power. It is capable of lifting upward an object whose weight reaches several tons. An area of ​​extremely rarefied air is created in the center of the funnel. Objects caught in it, including houses, can simply explode from the inside. Within the radius of the tornado's passage, nothing remains intact. Whereas at the epicenter of a hurricane there is a so-called eye - an area of ​​calm with moderate winds. While in it, a person may mistakenly think that the disaster has subsided. However, at the moment the hurricane moves, the wind will play out with renewed vigor, blowing in the opposite direction. It tears off roofs from houses, breaks windows, lifts cars and other objects into the air, etc. Buildings often remain standing in place.

Let's summarize what is the difference between a tornado and a hurricane.

Air-mechanical foam (AMF). It is a mixture of air, water and foaming agent. It can be ordinary - 90% air and 10% aqueous solution of a foaming agent (multiplicity up to 12%) and high expansion - 99% air, about 1% water and 0.04% foaming agent (multiplicity 100% or more). The durability of air-mechanical foam is somewhat less than that of chemical foam. Durability decreases with increasing foam ratio. The fire extinguishing effect of air-mechanical foam is based on thermal and moisture insulation and cooling of flammable substances. On the surface of burning liquids, foam forms a stable film that does not collapse under the influence of flame for 30 minutes, which is enough to extinguish flammable and flammable liquids in tanks of any diameter. Air-mechanical foam is completely harmless to people, does not cause metal corrosion, is practically electrically neutral and very economical. It is also used to extinguish solid flammable substances - such as wood, chemical fibers and others.

Extinguishing with inert gases. Inert gases (002 and Nz) and water vapor have the property of quickly mixing with flammable vapors and gases, thereby reducing the oxygen concentration, helping to stop the combustion of most flammable substances. The fire extinguishing effect of inert gases and water vapor is also explained by the fact that they dilute the flammable medium, thereby reducing the temperature at the source of the fire, as a result of which the combustion process becomes difficult.

Carbon dioxide is widely used to accelerate the elimination of the source of combustion (within 2-10 seconds), which is especially important when extinguishing small-area surfaces of flammable liquids, internal combustion engines, electric motors and other electrical installations, as well as to prevent ignition and explosion during storage of flammable materials. liquids, production and transportation of combustible dusts (for example, coal). To extinguish fires with carbon dioxide, automatic stationary installations, as well as manual mobile and portable fire extinguishers are used. Solid fire extinguishing agents. To eliminate small fires of substances that cannot be extinguished with water and other fire-neutralizing agents, solid substances in the form of powders are used. These include chlorides of alkali and alkaline earth metals (fluxes), albumin-containing substances, dry residue from the evaporation of sulfate alkalis, carnallite, bicarbonate and carbon dioxide soda, potash, quartz, solid carbon dioxide, sand, earth and others. The fire extinguishing effect of powdered substances lies in the fact that when they melt, accompanied by the formation of a film, their mass isolates the fire zone, impedes the access of air to it, cools the flammable substance, and mechanically knocks down the flame. You should have at least 1-2 shovels near the place where they are stored.

The choice of certain fire extinguishing installations or other fire extinguishing means is determined in each individual case, based on the specific stage of fire development, the scale of combustion and the characteristics of the combustion of substances and materials. Foam installations are widely used in enterprises where flammable liquids with a vapor flash point above 28°C and solid combustible materials and products (chemical fibers) are stored and processed. To extinguish fires at the initial stage, you can use asbestos or felt cloth, which, when tightly covering the burning object, prevents air from entering the combustion zone.

Fire extinguishers are an effective means of extinguishing a small fire. Intermittent powder (OP) fire extinguishers are designed to extinguish fires of gasoline, diesel fuel, varnishes, paints and other flammable liquids, as well as electrical installations under voltage up to 1000 V. Cylinder capacity - 2, 5 and 8 l, duration of jet output - 10-25 seconds, extinguishing area -0.41-1.1 m2 Carbon dioxide fire extinguishers (CO) are used to extinguish fires of various substances and materials at ambient temperatures from -25 up to +50° C, as well as live electrical equipment. Cylinder capacity - 2, 5 and 8 liters. The charge of carbon dioxide fire extinguishers by weight is checked once every 3 months. Weight loss should not exceed 10%. Charging is carried out in special workshops. Their validity period is 5 years less than that of powder fire extinguishers. Air-foam fire extinguishers (AFF) are used to extinguish fires of liquid and solid substances and materials, with the exception of alkali and alkaline-earth materials and their alloys, as well as to extinguish fires of live electrical equipment. Used at temperatures from +5 to +50° C. Cylinder capacity - 5 and 10 l, jet length - from 3 to 4.5 m, duration of action - 20-45 s, extinguishing area - 0.4 -0.5 m2 For To achieve the greatest efficiency of fire extinguishers, it is necessary to bring them into working condition near the place of combustion, so as not to lose extinguishing agents, but to act quickly, since they work for a short time (foam 20-45 s, carbon dioxide 15-25 s, powder 10-25 s ). When extinguishing solid substances and objects, foam fire extinguishers direct the stream to the places of the most intense burning, gradually knocking down the fire from top to bottom. They begin to extinguish the spilled liquid from the edges, gradually covering the burning surface with foam. When extinguishing burning substances with powder fire extinguishers, the entire surface should be covered with powder. Powder fire extinguishers can be used to extinguish a TV, even if it is plugged in. To extinguish the engine of a car, automatic aerosol extinguishing installations have been created, which are installed under the hood of the car. Chemical-foam fire extinguishers OKHP - 10, chemical air-foam fire extinguishers OKVP - 10 are used when extinguishing flammable materials, with the exception of live electrical installations. The principle of their operation is based on the interaction of the acidic part of the charge (aqueous solution of sulfuric acid salt) and the alkaline part (aqueous solution of sodium bicarbonate) with the formation of carbon dioxide and foam. The fire extinguisher OKVP-10 differs from OKHP-10 in the composition of the charge and an additional nozzle for the formation of air-mechanical foam.

What is the difference between a hurricane and a storm?

There are different types of storms, but they all have one thing in common: they are basically the rapid movement of air from one place to another.

A storm during which it rains, thunder rumbles and lightning flashes is called a thunderstorm, or lightning storm. If the wind raises a large amount of dust along the road, then such a storm is called a dust storm. A storm at sea is a storm. The most dangerous and destructive types of storms are hurricanes and tornadoes.

Hurricanes are storms that originate in tropical latitudes. For example, in North America they most often take place in the Gulf of Mexico, then rolling along the entire eastern coast of the continent. Exactly the same storms hit... islands and coasts in the Far East and in the China Sea, but there they are called typhoons. The common name for both types is tropical storm.

As a rule, a hurricane covers an area with a diameter of 150 to 600 km, and the wind speed reaches from 120 to 200 km/h. A distinctive feature of hurricanes is a calm spot at the very center, called the eye of the hurricane. Its size ranges from 5 to 20 km in diameter. When a person enters this zone, it begins to seem to him that the hurricane is over. However, as soon as the “eye” of the hurricane moves further, the wind rises with no less force, although it blows in the opposite direction than before. This is because a hurricane is an annular storm. In other words, the winds blow in a circle as the hurricane moves forward.

As long as the Earth exists, various natural phenomena exist on it. Both individuals and entire nations have suffered for centuries and continue to suffer from natural phenomena. For example, a hurricane, storm, tornado or other disaster may hit the Earth. Some mistakenly believe that these are different names for the same element, but this statement is incorrect. In this article we will try to figure out how they differ.

Hurricane Characteristics

What is a hurricane and what is its strength? This is a wind that blows in a spiral, and its speed can reach about 32 meters per second. Its epicenter is relatively calm, as it is a low pressure zone. It is usually clear and there is a light breeze. The diameter of the epicenter can range from 15 to 40 km. Due to the fact that there is low pressure in the center of the hurricane, sea water is easily sucked in and rushes upward, then it rains down on the ground from the clouds that surround the hurricane. The weather can change dramatically, as he does not stand still, but moves. The duration can be 8 or more days!

Hurricane and man

In the United States of America, hurricanes are usually given female names. For example, Hurricane Katrina, which swept over the state of Louisiana. Unfortunately, then local residents experienced first-hand what a hurricane was and its destructive effects. Typically, where these natural disasters occur, people do not build expensive stone or brick houses, since the debris can cause serious harm to health. There are inexpensive wooden buildings there that are easy to restore after such natural phenomena. So, this is a terrible element that can cause colossal damage and take people’s lives.

What is a storm

A storm, or, as sailors call it, a storm, is when a very strong wind blows, about 25-35 meters per second, accompanied by heavy precipitation. Storms arise as a result of the collision of cold masses of Arctic air, which moves in a southerly direction, and moist, warm air, which is directed from the tropics to the north. These two streams collide with each other. At the top, a low pressure zone with powerful winds is created. When arctic and tropical air collide, they mix and form cumulus clouds, from which showers and heavy snowfalls then fall to the ground.

Storms are tropical and subtropical. In terms of their destructive power, they are not inferior to hurricanes, although they are structured differently. If you consider what a hurricane is, it becomes obvious that it resembles a donut. Having found yourself on one edge and experiencing the power of the elements as the hurricane moves, you can find yourself at its epicenter, and then on its other edge. Perhaps the storm looks simpler. Rather, it can be compared to a wall that moves. Therefore, when sailors encounter it at sea, they may decide to sail into the storm in order to pass through it. You can do the same on land. It all depends on the situation.

Tornado is a dangerous phenomenon

A tornado is a very scary and at the same time beautiful manifestation of the power of nature. He can rightfully be called a monster. If a storm and a hurricane are formless for those who are caught in them, then a tornado has a clear form. It looks like a funnel that stretches from the clouds to the ground. Its height can be 1600 meters and its diameter 50-500 meters. At the same time, the tornado constantly moves at a speed of 25 to 66 km/h. It is worth noting that inside the funnel the speed is much higher, about 500 km/h.

A tornado appears as a result of the collision of cooled air, which descends to the ground from a cloud, with warm air rising from the ground. At this meeting a vortex appears. Since the air inside the funnel is rarefied, it is able to draw in everything that it encounters on its way. It all depends on the strength of the tornado. There have been cases when trucks and cars got inside. This monster can cause great damage to various buildings and take people's lives. The good news is that this storm is only raging for a short period of time. Usually, after traveling 25-50 kilometers, the tornado calms down and disappears.

Throughout its existence, humanity is constantly faced with natural phenomena that it is unable to resist. Despite the achieved level of technological progress, humanity is unable to control a tornado, typhoon, or tornado. The characteristics of these elements are given below.

A tornado is considered one of the most dangerous. It resembles something that descended to the surface of the earth for some kind of “dance”. Its scope is usually up to 400 m, less often it can reach 3000 m. For many, it is a mystery how a tornado differs from a tornado. This is what we have to find out.

What is a tornado?

A tornado is a huge funnel that descends from a thundercloud to the ground. It can travel both over land and water. The lower part of the funnel resembles a cloud, which consists of dust, dirt, and various objects.

Some people confuse it with a dust devil, but this is a serious misconception. A tornado is associated with a thundercloud; it is part of it, resembling a trunk that descends to the ground. He cannot tear himself away from his cloud. But dust and sand whirlwinds have nothing to do with thunderstorm phenomena.

Causes of a tornado

Humanity has not yet been able to understand the tornadoes. Their appearance is associated with the process when moist, warm air ends up very close to cold, dry air. In this case, their contact should pass over a cold area of ​​\u200b\u200bland or water. Warm air ends up between low temperatures.

Due to the fact that the process of the appearance of a tornado is a kind of chain reaction, this destructive natural phenomenon is often compared to an atomic bomb.

Due to the interaction of cold and warm currents, a trunk is formed, which cools and falls down. A vacuum zone descends behind it, drawing everything in its path into itself.

Danger of natural phenomenon

The whole danger of a tornado lies in its trunk. Depending on its own size, it is capable of pulling into itself and lifting any objects to great heights. This includes people. Dissolving in the atmosphere, it subsides and everything that was above the ground falls down.

If the vortex is unable to pull an object into itself, it tears it apart. For example, a house standing in its path will most likely turn into ruins, and its debris will scatter tens of kilometers away.

What is a tornado?

The word "tornado" is translated from English and Spanish as "to spin." This is what they call a tornado in North America, including the United States. A spinning funnel descends from a cumulonimbus cloud and makes a sound similar to a waterfall or a rumbling train.

Most often, tornadoes occur in the United States, in Texas. This is due to the fact that warm, moist air comes from it, which collides with cold masses from Canada and dry masses from the rocky mountains.

The following natural phenomena occur:

• thunderstorms;
• showers;
• gusty winds;
• tornado.

What is the difference between a tornado and a tornado?

Many people think that a tornado and a tornado are different phenomena. But if you look at how a tornado differs from a tornado, it becomes clear that it is nothing. In some countries, it is generally accepted that a tornado is a destructive phenomenon on land, and a tornado is a destructive phenomenon on the surface of water.

In addition to these two names, there is a third one - thrombus. It can be heard in European countries.

All three names - tornado, tornado, thrombus - are considered synonymous.

How is a tornado different from a hurricane?

Once you understand the difference between a tornado and a tornado, you can understand what a hurricane is. Often people do not understand the features of a particular natural disaster, and everything related to the movement of air masses is called a hurricane. At the same time, a tornado and a hurricane are different concepts.

A hurricane is a tropical cyclone, which is expressed in the form of strong winds, rain, and thunderstorms. The confusion arises because it could cause a subsequent tornado.

Classification according to the Fujita scale

There can be no answer to the question of what is stronger - a tornado or a tornado, since they are one and the same phenomenon. There are many classifications of its strength, but the Fujita scale is most often followed.

So, we have already figured out that talking about the difference between a tornado and a tornado is not entirely correct. Similar natural phenomena occur all over the world, bringing death and chaos. However, there are cases that can be classified as curious.

• So, in 1879, a terrible tornado passed through Irving. At this time, parishioners were praying in a wooden church. The clot lifted the church with people inside and moved it several meters. None of them were injured and escaped with fright.
• In 1913, in Kansas, a storm swept through a garden, uprooting a large apple tree. It was torn into many pieces, but the hive with bees that stood a meter from the dead tree remained unharmed.
• In 1940, in the village of Meshchery, along with a thunderstorm, rain fell, consisting, in addition to water, of ancient coins made of silver under Ivan the Terrible. This miracle can be explained by the fact that, having exhausted its energy, the tornado gives back everything that it pulled into itself. Perhaps he retrieved a treasure that was not buried too deeply, but after walking a certain distance, he began to weaken and released it with the rain onto the ground.
• In 1923, in Tennessee, a natural disaster destroyed the walls, ceiling and roof of a residential building and carried them skyward. At the same time, the family who lived in it remained sitting at the table. They all escaped with fear.

In most cases, natural disasters bring nothing to humans except death and destruction. You can verify this by looking at the photos of waterspouts and tornadoes presented in this material.

What to do during a tornado?

Whatever the difference between a tornado and a tornado, these phenomena are dangerous for humans. To survive, you must adhere to certain recommendations.

The first point of any emergency instructions is to avoid panic and stay calm. First of all, you need to find a secluded place. From a strong tornado, only a special bunker can become this.

You shouldn’t try to run away from a rapidly approaching blood clot; it will catch up anyway. It’s better to get your bearings on the area and group up so as not to fall into the crater. It is necessary to find any even insignificant depression or crack and press into it as hard as possible. This way the funnel won’t be able to drag you along with it. In this case, you need to cover your head with your hands to protect it from being hit by any object that may fly nearby.

If you are in an ordinary house without a basement, you should follow the instructions:

• take cover in the center of the room on the first floor;
• stay away from windows;
• close the windows from the approaching elements;
• open and lock the windows on the opposite side;
• turn off water and electricity;
• turn off the gas.

Manipulating the windows will prevent the building from exploding due to pressure changes.

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