Summary: Violent wind, driving rain, and killer waves are the characteristics(hallmark) of hurricane, which is also called cyclone or typhoon. It produces an energy equivalent to half a million small atomic bombs. Hurricane is formed in summer and fall. The sun hits vast areas of tropical ocean of warm and moist air. The upper level winds and the surface level winds come together forming circular pattern of clouds, namely, 'tropical depression'. When the speed of wind reaches 75 mph, a hurricane is officially developed. There is an eye wall around the center which are the most violent. In the center is the dry and calm area, called the eye of the storm. A hurricane can be as large as Texas. It spins around the sea but when it reaches the mainland of North America it causes a devastating damage, wreaking havoc the whole area it strikes. About 45,000 people were killed due to this storm in the 20th century. In 1992, Hurricane Andrew left 25 billion dollars worth of damage. Scientists are working hard to better predict the path of hurricane. Hurricane hunters, for instance, fly above hurricane and drop fly sensors to check the wind speed, temperature, and pressure, which are essential information for the storm's direction. New 3D models are also of help for quicker and more accurate warnings.
Thanks for passing this on, Pilsu. It sounds like the National Geographic story you watched on this topic was pretty detailed, and you've certainly done a good job of eliciting all the important information.
Perhaps you could relate some of your own experiences or opinions about hurricanes (or typhoons, as they're known in your part of the world)...
Best wishes,
~ Jason
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We call it a typhoon in far eastern Asia. In 2000, Typhoon Maemi hit S.Korea, leaving a great deal of property damage and some people injured or dead(I forgot approximately how many people were dead). It was one of the strongest typhoons we had ever had. I was living in Busan at that time. I was staying at home in the evening having heard that the monstrous typhoon was approaching toward Busan that night. I was lying on the floor trying to sleep but I couldn't because I was kind of worried about the storm. I was lying near the window but I moved away for fear that the window would be broken. Around midnight, it came and the fluorecent light on the ceiling was flickering. I was really scared at that time because that kind thing hardly ever happen even though a strong typhoon came. But that was one of the strongest for decades. After that, I think I slept rather peacefully. The next day when I came outside, all the streets were strewn with trashes, broken tree branches, and etc, which I guess were flown from far away. Walking on the stree, I saw a metal shutter of a store severely dented. The broken glass was alomst everywhere, glittering in the morning sun. The debris was everywhere. I was commuting to and fro from school by bike. But I thought I'd better not use it that day, otherwise I would get a flat tire because of the broken glass. Some traffic lights was broken and lurched on the pavement of the street. At my school, many windows were broken into pieces and so were some trees. A plastic roof were plucked away. It was a disaster. I think many Koreans will remember the typhoon Maemi and its devasting consequences.
Recently there was a giant storm having struck Burma, which took away thousands of people's lives. I felt very sorry to hear the news. I once saw a picture of Burmese children sitting and waiting for food distribution. Each of them was holding a bowl over their head because I guess I had been raining. I was so sad to see the sight. They needed shelter and food desperately. I guess the situation is not still good at all because the Burmese government didn't accept the international aid in a timely manner and quickly. I think the junta is not qualified to be the leader of the nation, bystanding the deaths of thousands of the people.
I was in Korea when Typhoon Maemi hit. Are you sure it was 2000? I thought it was 2002 or 2003... Perhaps I'm getting confused with other major typhoons.
I love your description of the "aftermath" (the scene/situation following a major event), as I think it is vivid and very accurate. Like you, after a major typhoon the things that I most remember are the debris and broken glass.
I know this may sound a little strange, but I find the Korean landscape quite beautiful following a typhoon. Usually, the air here is misty and hazy on account of pollution. A major thunderstorm or typhoon has this effect of washing everything out of the air, leaving it crystal clear once the storm has passed. At that time, I am struck my how lovely the mountains and forests look here.
As for the cyclone in Myanmar (Burma), there is an interesting video news article about that over in the World News section here: http://global-english.lefora.com/2008/05/19/un-chief-visit-myanmar/
I totally agree with you. The Junta in Myanmar has been (and continues to be) criminally negligent to its people. I've been deeply disturbed by some of the reports I have seen and read about this event.
Best wishes,
~ Jason
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