Terrifying Tornadoes
Flames of Fury
Earth's Most Destructive
Dangers of Drought
Water, water, everywhere
100
How many tornadoes are reported on average every year in the U.S.?
About 800
100
Currently what is the average amount of land burned by wildfire per year in the U.S.?
9 million acres
100
Where do hurricanes usually form?
Over the warm water in the Atlantic Ocean, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.
100
What has caused drought conditions in the U.S. in the most recent years?
Hottest times on record causing high temperatures and reduced rainfall.
100
What percent of the earth is covered in water?
About 70%
200
Where is "Tornado Alley"?
The central plains from Texas to Nebraska.
200
What three things are needed for a wildfire to start?
Fuel, oxygen, and a heat source.
200
What are two other terms that mean hurricane?
In other parts of the world, these storms are called cyclones or typhoons.
200
What exactly is a drought?
A long period of very dry weather. Less than normal precipitation or moisture.
200
What part of the U.S. can flooding occur?
Flooding can happen in any part of the U.S.
300
When tornado season?
Begins in March and continues through summer.
300
What part of the U.S. do wildfires happen more often?
The western states like California and Arizona.
300
What happens to a hurricane when it hits land?
Hurricanes weaken after they strike land.
300
Name a sign of drought listed in the reading.

1 -Water level in ponds, lakes, and rivers get lower.

2 - Dry cracked soil

3 - Brown dried out plants

300
Why does a drought put an area at risk for flooding?
Because water cannot penetrate dry soil.
400
Where inside is the best place to take cover during a tornado?
The best place to be is in a basement. Otherwise, go to the center of an interior room on the lowest level. Stay away from windows, doors, and outside walls.
400
What do scientists believe is causing changing conditions that are leading to more wildfires?
Climate change. Many scientist think that Earth's climate is getting warmer.
400
What kind of storm is larger than a hurricane?
Trick Question! None. Hurricane's are Earth's largest and most destructive storms.
400
What is a U.S. drought monitor as discussed in our reading?
A map that shows drought conditions across the country.
400
Why is it that constructing buildings can add to flooding?
Because we are building on open land. When we have open land it acts as a sponge absorbing rain as it falls. Without that open land the water has no where to go so it stays on the surface and flows quickly across the concrete.
500
How is a tornado formed?
The creation of a tornado requires three things: wind, temperature, and moisture. A storm sucks in warm, humid air which rises. The moisture condenses into rain. The cool air moves down. When the cool air and the warm air are joined they create a spinning tube. If one end of the tube touches the ground a tornado forms.
500
The reading says, "Wildfires increase the likelihood of flooding and landslides." Why do you think wildfires increase the likelihood of flooding and landslides?
Because the trees and brush are no longer there to absorb the water from floods into their roots. Basically if the tree is no longer there to drink the water up into itself, the water has no place to go.
500
How are hurricanes created?
Hurricanes build up heat and energy from contact with warm ocean waters. Clouds pull up the moisture and the air near the surface of the water. This creates a column of fast-moving air. As the strength and speed of the winds increase, the storm becomes a swirling mass of air, which rotates around the "eye" or center of the storm.
500

Why do many scientists believe we are seeing more droughts in many parts of the world? And what can we do to stop it?

Climate change. We must conserve water and use it more efficiently. Perhaps we can develop crops that require less water. We must also take steps to reduce greenhouse gases.
500
The reading says, "people who live in low-lying areas, near waterways, or close to a levee or dam are most at risk during a flood." Why do you think these people are most at risk?
Lower areas will fill up with water first ... just like the bottom of a bowl fills before the top. Also areas near water ways will get hit first if the waterway overfills.
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