GEOL 110 Lecture 14: GEOL110Ch10
Document Summary
Geographic regions at risk for cyclones: most serious threat in north america. U. s. territories in the pacific ocean: they are a lesser threat to hawai"i and atlantic canada, on the pacific coast, hurricanes strike baja california and the west coast of the mexican mainland. Cont: most hurricanes that affect east and gulf coasts form off the western coast of africa, they take one of three tracks. 1. west toward east coast of florida, sometimes passing over caribbean: move out into the atlantic ocean to the northeast. 2. westward over cuba and into the gulf of mexico to strike the gulf coast. 3. westward to the caribbean and then northeastward skirting the east coast: may strike the continent from central florida to new york. Storm surge: largest effect from stress exerted by wind on water. Fetch refers to the area over which the wind blows.
