MAP B.

1. MAP B. Strong low centred over Pacific Islands. Specifically, it is in the SPCZ South Pacific Convergence Zone, where Tropical Cyclones are born. It of over 23.5o Tropic of Capricorn. Warm air from the equator falls at this point and causes lows. The isobars are close together indicating high wind strength. Migrated down from the Tropics gathering strength and energy as it moves. These factors may indicate the possibility of a Tropical Cyclone. Which of the weather maps represents the conditions necessary for your selected extreme natural event? Explain how the pressure systems on your selected map indicate the possibility of the extreme natural event.

2. Describe in detail how climatic or atmospheric processes produce your selected extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Intense heating by the sun raises the ocean temp to 27o. Evaporation occurs causing humidity. A low pressure area forms along the SPCZ, drawing winds into it. The Coriolis Effect makes air circulate clockwise (S Hem). Surface air rises due to warming by the sea and the sun. Pressure falls and winds strengthen. Air cools as it rises, condensation occurs, clouds form and rain falls. A Jet Stream, a band of strong winds that circles the Earth at high altitudes, passes over the centre of a low pressure area. It accelerates the speed of the rising air by sucking it upwards.

3. Briefly describe ONE action people can take before the event and ONE action people can take after the event to DECREASE the effects of your selected extreme natural event. Briefly describe ONE action people can take before the event and ONE action people can take after the event to INCREASE the effects of your selected extreme natural event. Specific references to a named case study must be included. BEFORE: Better preparation and emergency civil defense planning. Samoa – information on what to do in the event of a tropical cyclone is written in the back of school books. AFTER: Developing a sound infrastructure, such as tarmac roads and dams for flood control. Fiji – infrastructure is continually rebuilt and redeveloped. BEFORE: Poor planning. Population concentration in coastal towns and cyclone prone areas exposes greater numbers to hazards. Fiji – main towns are located on the narrow coastal lowland area. This impacts negatively on tourism - Cyclone Kina 1993. Solomon Islands – years of ethnic tension had rendered the country leaderless and dependent on foreign aid. AFTER: Reluctance to adopt new methods of preventing damage. Tonga - the economies of many Pacific Islands are dominated by coconuts and sugar and farmers are reluctant to change to ground crops which are more cyclone resistant.

4. Describe FOUR effects on the land of your selected extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Specific references to a named case study must be used. EFFECT ONE On high and low islands, wind strips vegetation of leaves and fruit. Many trees are felled. Fruit bats may be killed, reducing pollination of native vegetation. Low lying islands Santa Cruz – Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 2002 threatened low volcanic islands. EFFECT TWO A storm surge may sweep over low islands, washing away soil. Soil is also damaged by salination as a result of the salty water. Tikopia – Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 2002 flooding contaminated fresh water lakes. Gardens were destroyed and kasava crops were turned black, taking three months to grow back. EFFECT THREE On high islands, rivers flood and landslips erode slopes. When the rivers recede they leave behind deep layers of mud, rocks and tree logs. Tikopia – Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 2002 flooding swamped villages and the land. EFFECT FOUR Coastal erosion strips beaches of sand. Live coral reefs are damaged.

5. Describe TWO effects on economic activities of your selected extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Specific references to a named case study must be used. EFFECT ONE Damage to buildings and the high cost of reconstruction. Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Cliff in 2007 destroyed houses and a school. Niue – Tropical Cyclone Heta in 2004 destroyed the town of Alofi. Tikopia – Tropical Cyclone Zoe in 2003 cut the island off from the world for several days. EFFECT TWO The government has to assess damage and international aid may be necessary if the economy cannot cope. Subsistence economy will recover reasonably quickly, but the cash economy might need help. The high cost of reconstruction increases foreign debt, because it is almost totally dependent on international aid. Solomon Islands – years of ethnic tension had rendered the country leaderless and dependent on foreign aid.

6. Describe TWO effects on social activities of your selected extreme natural event. You may answer in paragraph form or use a combination of diagrams and notes. Specific references to a named case study must be used. EFFECT ONE People shelter in the strongest buildings, often stone churches. People are fearful and may pray for their survival. The eye brings a period of relief, then the full fury of the Cyclone returns. However, in the end life will go on because Tropical Cyclones are a part of the Pacific way of life. Solomon Islands – Tropical Cyclone Zoe no one was killed because the Islanders have a long tradition of coping with cyclones. EFFECT TWO Deaths and injuries are caused by collapsing buildings and flying sheets of roofing iron. Grief and shock affect many people. Solomon Islands – Tropical Cyclone Namu killed 100 people. Fiji – Tropical Cyclone Ami in 2003 killed 11 people.