Tropical Cyclone Hazards (Edexcel GCSE Geography A)
Revision Note
Written by: Jacque Cartwright
Reviewed by: Bridgette Barrett
Tropical Cyclone Hazards
Tropical cyclones are classified as a natural hazard
After earthquakes, they are the second-most dangerous natural hazard
Tropical storms are rated on the five-point Saffir-Simpson scale based on wind speeds
Tropical storms are considered major when they reach category 3 and have wind speeds between 111 and 129 miles (178 and 208 kilometres) per hour
A category 5 storm can deliver wind speeds of more than 157 miles (252km) an hour
They can live for as little as 24 hours or for as long as a month
Tropical storms cause multiple hazards and impacts on people and the environment
Impact of Tropical Storm Hazards on People and the Environment
Hazard | Impact on People | Impact on the Environment |
|---|---|---|
High winds of up to 250 km/h | Infrastructure damaged Blocked or destroyed roads prevent rescue and emergency vehicles and aid from getting through Buildings and homes destroyed Injuries from flying debris Loss of life | Trees are uprooted Woodland ecosystems are damaged Animals can be killed directly or from changes in habitat and food availability |
Intense heavy rainfall causes flash flooding | Damage to property People stranded and homeless Potential loss of life | Flooding Pollution from sewage overflows Clean water supplies contaminated |
Storm surges: areas of low pressure allow the rise in local sea levels and, combined with high winds, push the sea up and towards the coastline | Increased risk of injury or drowning from fast-flowing water Damage to people and infrastructure: gas lines are broken, increasing risk of fires and explosions Economic impact to business owners and potential unemployment | Beaches eroded Coastal habitats destroyed Contaminated farmland and freshwater supplies |
Coastal flooding caused by intense rainfall and storm surges | Coastal sea defences destroyed Impacts the tourist industry, putting jobs at risk | Can affect large areas of low-lying land, including farmland Habitats, crops, and livestock destroyed, leading to shortage of food and potentially famine Salt water intrusion and groundwater supplies contaminated |
Landslides: intense rainfall in areas with steep slopes saturates the soil quickly, making it heavy and unable to support itself and begin to slide down | Settlements destroyed or damaged Transport routes are cut off Loss of life and injury People are displaced | River flooding if the channel becomes blocked with debris Habitats destroyed Water supplies are contaminated |
Worked Example
The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to categorise tropical cyclones. Identify which of the following is used to decide the category of a cyclone.
(1 mark)
A: Height of the storm clouds
B: Amount of time a cyclone lives
C: Windspeed of a cyclone
D: Size of the cyclone
Answer:
C: Windspeed of a cyclone
The other answers all refer to the characteristics of a tropical cyclone
Examiner Tips and Tricks
Remember that the more settlements and businesses there are, the greater the impact of the storm.
This is because there are more people and properties that can be affected by the tropical storm.
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