In nature there are different phenomena resulting from the actions of winds, variations in temperature, humidity, climate and many other factors. Some of these phenomena are much feared for their aggressiveness and the impacts they generate. The main ones are the hurricanes, tornadoes and cyclones. But do you know what the difference is between them?
First of all, it is necessary to remember that the Drilling it's the Typhoon they are the same phenomenon, but in different locations. When it occurs in the eastern portion of the Pacific Ocean or in the Atlantic Ocean, it is called a hurricane, when it occurs in the western portion of the Pacific, it is called a typhoon. They are characterized by being very strong winds, with speeds that can exceed 120 km/h, with a diameter that can vary between 200 km and 400 km.
Satellite image of a major hurricane
On the other hand, the tornadoes they are more intense and destructive than hurricanes, but they are shorter in size and shorter in duration. Its diameter does not exceed 2 km and its duration is, on average, 15 minutes, while hurricanes can last for several and several days. Despite this, tornado speeds are much higher, reaching over 500 km/h, which increases their destructive power. Tornadoes can only be considered as such if they touch the ground, otherwise they are simply called “
funnels”.Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
Example of a Tornado
Tornadoes and hurricanes are also often distinguished in the following way: A tornado can be seen entirely with the naked eye, while hurricanes are too big for that. Furthermore, the former is generally formed on land and the latter in the oceans. When tornadoes form in water, they are called Waterspout.
Finally, it is important to remember that tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons are just some of the types of cyclones. In fact, these designations are subtypes of the tropical cyclones, that is, those cyclones that occur south of the Tropic of Cancer and north of the Tropic of Capricorn. extratropical cyclones.
By Rodolfo Alves Pena
Graduated in Geography
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
PENA, Rodolfo F. Alves. "Difference between hurricane, tornado and cyclone"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/geografia/diferenca-entre-furacao-tornado-ciclone.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
