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Earth Science ch. 13 & 14

Terms in this set (15)

Fujita tornando intesnity scale
classifies tornadoes according to their wind speed, duration, and path of destruction on a scale ranging from F0 to F5
Supercell
Extremely powerful, self-sustaining thunderstorm characterized by intense, rotating up lifts
Tornado
violant whirling column of air in contact with the ground that forms when wind direction and speed suddenly change with height, is often associeated with a supercell, and can be extremely damaging.
Eye
calm center of a tropical that develops when the winds around its center reach al least 120km/h
Eye wall
band where the strongest winds in a hurricane are usually concentrated, surrounding the eye.
Saffir simpsion hurricane cell
classifies hurricanes according to air pressure in the center, wind speed, and property damage potential on a scale ranging from category 1 to category 5
Storm surge
occurs when powerful, hurricane force winds drive a mound of ocean water toward shore, where it washes over the land, oftern causing enormous damage
Tropical cyclone
largelow pressure, rotating storm that gets its energy from the evaporaton of warm ocean water and the realease of heat
Wind chill factor
phenomenon measured by the wind chill index, which estimats the heat los from human skin caused by a combination of wind and cold air
Climate
average weathor of a particular area over a long period of time
El-Nino
warm ocean current that develops off the western coast of south america and can cause short term climatic changes felt worldwide.
Ice age
period of extensive glacier coverage, producing long term climate changes
Season
short term period of climatic chang caused by regular variations in temp, hours of daylight, and weathor patterns
Global warming
rise in global temp. which may be due to increase in atmospheric CO2 from deforistation and burning of fossil fuel
Green house effect
natural heating of earths surface by certain atmosphere gases, which helps earth warm enough to sustain life.
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