Hurricanes And Earthquakes Similarities

Hurricanes and Earthquakes

On Earth, many people have experienced destructive natural disasters such as hurricanes or earthquakes. Hurricanes and earthquakes are some of the most common types of natural disasters. While hurricanes are most likely very big and strong tropical storms, earthquakes are the shaking of the ground when tectonic plates move underground (Senker, Cath). Between both hurricanes and earthquakes there are some differences and similarities that need to be understood properly to know that they are different types of natural disasters. To achieve this, one should know how they form, how they are measured, and what destructive effects they have. When this is understood, people will finally understand more about each type and

Firstly, hurricanes are measured in two ways. To start with, satellites and aircraft find hurricanes from space and bring this news to Earth (Senker, Cath). Then, meteorologists use either dropsondes or Saffir-Simpson scales to measure the hurricane (Senker, Cath/National Geographic Staff). Dropsondes measure the strength, size, temperature, pressure, and wind speed of the hurricane (Senker, Cath). The Saffir-Simpson scale then measure at what strength the hurricane would approximately hit land (National Geographic Staff). In comparison, earthquakes are measured either with a Richter scale or seismometers (Choy, George L.; Sipkin, Stuart A.; Spence, William). Seismometers are deeply placed in the ground, to catch seismic waves that in return cause zig-zag waves on the measuring tool showing how strong these waves are (Chambers, Catherine/ Choy, George L.; Sipkin, Stuart A.; Spence, William). To be able to achieve this, the seismometer has to be very sensitive so that it feels every movement and can finally graph it on paper that is printed out of a machine (Chambers, Catherine). The Richter scale measures the magnitude, energy, intensity, depth, fault geometry, and seismic moment (Choy, George L.; Sipkin, Stuart A.; Spence, William). Hurricanes are measured by categories from 1 to 5 (National Geographic Staff). The 5th category is the strongest and highest which results in it being very destructive and dangerous (Senker, Cath). Earthquakes are categorized in

Not only do hurricanes and earthquakes cause a lot of destruction on their own, but also they cause other natural disasters to occur. Hurricanes cause landslides and avalanches from the heavy rain, storm surges (high waves), and strong winds (Green, Jen/ Senker, Cath). In addition, the strong winds and rain cause flooding and trees to fall over. Earthquakes cause landslides (weathered materials falling/sliding down a higher place), liquefaction (sinking of the ground), shock waves causing tsunamis (large waves flooding whole areas), volcanic eruptions, huge cracks at the fault line (usually very wide), and fire (gas pipes breaking) (Ammon, Charles J. / Chambers, Catherine/Green, Jen). Earthquakes also cause dams to burst and a lot of destruction in the homes of people and animals (Chambers, Catherine/Green, Jen). Both destroy whole areas for farming, infrastructures, and causes many money problems (Senker, Cath). As a result, both make lot of destruction and many deaths of animals, humans and other organisms. Furthermore, both cause other natural disasters and destroy human-made things (Green, Jen). Lastly, hurricanes and earthquakes are very destructive and have many effects depending on their strength and