A long high sea wave caused by an earthquake or other disturbance. Tsunamis are formed as a result of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or landslides that occur under the sea. When these events occur under the water, huge amounts of energy are released as a result of quick upward bottom movement. For example, if a volcanic eruption occurs, the ocean floor may very quickly move upward several hundred feet. When this happens, huge volumes of ocean water are pushed upward and a wave is formed. A large earthquake can lift thousands of square kilometres of sea floor, which will cause the formation of huge waves. The Pacific Ocean is especially prone to tsunamis.
A storm is a violent disturbance of the atmosphere with strong winds and usually rain, thunder, lightning, or snow. Thunderstorms are formed by the uplifting of warm and humid air. There are many factors that lead to the uplifting of air, for example, solar heating; in the vicinity of low pressure troughs; when two different air streams meet; or when air is forced uphill.
When humid air is lifted, it will be cooled and the moisture in the air will condense to form cloud. Upon further uplifting, the cloud will extend higher. Water droplets in the cloud continue to grow in size. As the cloud extends further upward, ice crystals may form because of low temperature there. A cumulonimbus cloud results when it grows to a height of 10 to 20 kilometres. Thunderstorms are produced by cumulonimbus clouds.
Types of storms:
Hail Storm
Ice Storm
Snow Storm
Blizzard Storm
Famous Avalanches
Rainstorm
Wind Storm
Dust Storm
Sand Storm
Cyclones
Hurricane
A hurricane is a storm with a violent wind, in particular a tropical cyclone in the Caribbean. Hurricanes begin as tropical storms over the warm moist waters of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans near the equator. (Near the Philippines and the China Sea, hurricanes are called typhoons.) As the water from the ocean evaporates it rises until enormous amounts of heated moist air are twisted high in the atmosphere. The winds begin to circle counter clockwise north of the equator or clockwise south of the equator. The relatively peaceful centre of the hurricane is called the eye. Around this centre winds move at speeds between 74 and 200 miles per hour. As long as the hurricane remains over waters of 79F or warmer, it continues to pull moisture from the surface and grow in size and force. When a hurricane crosses land or cooler waters, it loses its source of power and its wind gradually slow until they are no longer of hurricane force less than 74 miles per hour.
