By: Cameron Scott
Just about all snowflakes start off as a few basic shapes. Snowflakes in those groups are mostly the same, with only a few variations. But that all changes on the way down. By the time they reach the ground, snowflakes are unique marvels. It seems...
By: Patrick Sills
Hurricanes and tropical storms are the primary causes of storm surges. In order to understand such a concept, a storm surge must be defined. A storm surge is an abnormal rise in water levels caused by heavy winds. The water levels, particularly in the oceans...
By: Julie Thomas-Zucker
Silviculture blends the ecology of the forest with economy; finding ways to sustain both. It includes the thinning of the forest to provide areas for other vegetation that wildlife uses. Silviculturists want to see the forests continue for millennia, and they use methods to accomplish...
What is global climate change?
By: Christyl Rivers
Global climate change is a gradual temperature rise or fall over time. Ice ages come and go, warming trends come and go. But human-made global climate change (or warming) is completely different. Human-made global warming, the trends of three decades of hotter summers world wide...
Understanding the dangers caused by a storm surge
By: Kimberly Napier
A storm surge, quite often, is the most dangerous part of a hurricane. Often it is the most damaging to property and the largest threat to life, according to the National Hurricane Center. During Hurricane Katrina, over 1500 were killed, many as a result of...
The effects of natural disasters on Japan
By: Christyl Rivers
A small island chain nation within the Pacific ring of fire, Japan will always have more than her fair share of natural disasters. Although Japan is a crowded, highly, technologically advanced nation which takes earthquake and seismic events very seriously, it is easy to understand...
Why hurricanes usually lose strength when they make landfall
By: Charles Ray
If you live along the coast, especially the Gulf or southeastern Atlantic, you’re probably keenly aware of the weather during hurricane season. These devastating storms can cause an enormous amount of damage from storm surges and raging winds. But, just what is a hurricane...
By: Charles Ray
While the thought of forest fires is anathema to many, especially environmentalists, the fact is that in forested areas, fires are a natural part of the environment. Forest fires are neither innately destructive nor beneficial; it depends largely on where and when the fire occurs...
By: Michael Totten
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes based on their sustained wind speed. On this scale, hurricanes range from Category 1, for sustained wind speeds of 74-95 mph, to Category 5, for sustained wind speeds of 157 mph and higher. This scale is used only...
How increasing temperatures can cause thunderstorm formation
By: Morgan Carlson
Normal cloud formation is formed from the evaporation of water, whether from a body of water or over land from plants and animals alike. The moisture is lifted due to natural updrafts and combines with dust in the atmosphere to create clouds. The moisture freezes...

 

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