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NATURAL CATASTROPHES

(PART 1)

We, humans, now dominate the Earth – and our planet is in grave danger of suffering from our activities. But from time to time the Earth threatens us, warns of the danger of killing the planet and ourselves. We have to be very careful what we do with nature, provoking to some extent natural disasters like drought, sandstorm and famine in Africa, flood in Netherlands, hurricanes in the USA, volcanoes and earthquakes in Turkey, Japan, Mexico, Italy, Armenia, typhoons and tidal wakes, landslide and fire. Natural disasters make big problems and people all over the world come to help regions where the catastrophe has happened. Different countries send to the area of the natural disaster food and medical supplies, as well as doctors, nurses, blankets, tents and clothes.

Thunderstorms. Moisture, instability and lift are the three main ingredients needed: rain, strong, accompanied by bright flashes of lightning and the crack of thunder - a thunderstorm is born. There are more that 40.000 thunderstorms happening around the world everyday. The most severe thunderstorm can produce hail and spawn tornadoes. Thunderstorms may last from 15 minutes to several hours.

Whirling winds. Tornadoes or twisters can occur in almost every part of the world, however, the greatest number and some of the most severe occur in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma.

This part of the United States is nicknamed: “Tornado Alley”.

Tornadoes usually occur with the most severe of all thunderstorms called super cells. Winds from tornado range from 40 to more than 261 mph and the funnel or vortex, extends from the base of a cumulonimbus cloud to the ground. The intensity of damage from the storm winds to buildings and trees is measured and classified after it has passed.

МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ

КІРОВОГРАДСЬКА ЛЬОТНА АКАДЕМІЯ

НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО АВІАЦІЙНОГО УНІВЕРСИТЕТУ

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NATURAL CATASTROPHES

(PART 2)

Tropical storms, known as typhoons in the Pacific and hurricanes in the Atlantic, claim more lives each year than any other storm. Hurricanes are formed from thunderstorms developing over the ocean or sea. Several thunderstorms come together to form a swirl of clouds. As the winds begin to grow, a distinct centre will form in the cloud swirl and this becomes the “eye” of the storm. Massive amounts of rainfall, and even tornadoes are formed as the storm makes landfall. The greatest threat to human life is the “storm surge” that follows the hurricane. After making landfall hurricanes turn into low-pressure systems or “rain depressions” which often bring heavy rains to inland areas and cause widespread flooding.

Precipitation occurs when some of the millions of tiny water droplets or ice crystals than constitute a cloud grow large enough and heavy enough to fall to the earth.

Rain, hail, sleet and snow are all forms of precipitation.

Precipitation that reaches the ground in liquid form is often referred to as rain. The lightest form is drizzle, which occurs as fine drops falling closely together. Mist is even finer and does not fall, so therefore is considered a light form of fog.

Precipitation is also classified as intermittent or steady.

Usually steady rain and snow fall from clouds such as stratus or altostratus. Showers or intermittent precipitation will fall from cumulus clouds.

МІНІСТЕРСТВО ОСВІТИ І НАУКИ УКРАЇНИ

КІРОВОГРАДСЬКА ЛЬОТНА АКАДЕМІЯ

НАЦІОНАЛЬНОГО АВІАЦІЙНОГО УНІВЕРСИТЕТУ