Thursday, July 18, 2013

Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

-What I did was study what is Intertropical Convergence Zone or what they call ITCZ all about.

- I learned that the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), known by sailors as the doldrums, is the area encircling the earth near the equator where the northeast and southeast trade winds come together. Weather within the ITCZ can be quite violent as the weather systems from the northern and southern hemispheres converge. Thunderstorms within the ITCZ can reach heights of 80,000 plus feet.

I can apply my learning about this phenomenon to my everyday life. I know now how to relate it with the weather updates being televised in our television. I can prepare myself and also my family if there will be an Intertropical Convergence Zone and if there is a chance that it will generate into a Tropical Depression.
TRIVIA:
  • About 80% of all tropical cyclone originate in the ITCZ. 
  • The NE trade winds and SE trade winds converge in a low pressure zone known as the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ.
  • The location of the ITCZ varies throughout the year and while it remains near the equator, the ITCZ over land ventures farther north or south than the ITCZ over the oceans due to the variation in land temperatures.
Weather is a part of our life. It changes day by day. For that, we should be aware of it, we should be aware of its constituents, of its cycle, of the phenomena governing it. One is the Intertropical Convergence Zone or ITCZ.

Monday, July 15, 2013

Earthquake

-What is Earthquake?
An earthquake (also known as a quake, tremor or temblor) is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves.
-What are the different types of Earthquake?
  • Tectonic Earthquake- These occur when rocks in the earth's crust break due to geological forces created by movement of tectonic plates.
  • Volcanic Earthquake- occur in conjunction with volcanic activity.
  • Landslips- is a geological phenomenon which includes a wide range of ground movement, such as rockfalls, deep failure of slopes and shallow debris flows, which can occur in offshore, coastal and onshore environments.
-What are the causes of an Earthquake?
Earthquakes are caused by faulting, a sudden lateral or vertical movement of rock along a rupture (break) surface.
-What are the differences between Focus and Epicenter?
  • Focus- is the earthquake's underground point of origin or hypocenter (below the center) or refers to the site of an earthquake
  • Epicenter is directly above the focus.
-What is Foreshock and Aftershock?
  • Foreshock-  is an earthquake that occurs before a larger seismic event (the mainshock) and is related to it in both time and space. The designation of an earthquake as foreshock, mainshock or aftershock is only possible after the event.
  • Aftershock- is a smaller earthquake that occurs after a previous large earthquake, in the same area of the main shock. If an aftershock is larger than the main shock, the aftershock is redesignated as the main shock and the original main shock is redesignated as a foreshock. Aftershocks are formed as the crust around the displaced fault plane adjusts to the effects of the main shock.
-What is Seismograph?
Instrument that measure motions of the ground, including those of seismic waves generated by earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and other seismic sources.
-Differentiate Magnitude from Intensity.
  • Magnitude- indicates the amount of energy released at the source (or epicentre) and is measured by the open-ended Richter Scale. 
  • Intensity- indicates the violence of earth motion produced there by the earthquake.
-What are the differences of Richter Scale and Rossi-Forel Scale?
  • Richter Scale- was developed to assign a single number to quantify the energy released during an earthquake.
  • Rossi-Forel Scale- was one of the first seismic scales to reflect earthquake intensities.

PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES to do Before, During, & After an Earthquake.

BEFORE an Earthquake
  • Make sure you have a fire extinguisher, first aid kit, a battery-powered radio, a flashlight, and extra batteries at home.
  • Learn first aid.
  • Learn how to turn off the gas, water, and electricity.
  • Make up a plan of where to meet your family after an earthquake.
  • Don't leave heavy objects on shelves (they'll fall during a quake).
  • Anchor heavy furniture, cupboards, and appliances to the walls or floor.
  • Learn the earthquake plan at your school or workplace.
DURING an Earthquake
  • Stay calm! If you're indoors, stay inside. If you're outside, stay outside.
  • If you're indoors, stand against a wall near the center of the building, stand in a doorway, or crawl under heavy furniture (a desk or table). Stay away from windows and outside doors.
  • If you're outdoors, stay in the open away from power lines or anything that might fall. Stay away from buildings (stuff might fall off the building or the building could fall on you).
  • Don't use matches, candles, or any flame. Broken gas lines and fire don't mix.
  • If you're in a car, stop the car and stay inside the car until the earthquake stops.
  • Don't use elevators (they'll probably get stuck anyway).
AFTER an Earthquake
  • Check yourself and others for injuries. Provide first aid for anyone who needs it.
  • Check water, gas, and electric lines for damage. If any are damaged, shut off the valves. Check for the smell of gas. If you smell it, open all the windows and doors, leave immediately, and report it to the authorities (use someone else's phone).
  • Turn on the radio. Don't use the phone unless it's an emergency.
  • Stay out of damaged buildings.
  • Be careful around broken glass and debris. Wear boots or sturdy shoes to keep from cutting your feet.
  • Be careful of chimneys (they may fall on you).
  • Stay away from beaches. Tsunamis and seiches sometimes hit after the ground has stopped shaking.
  • Stay away from damaged areas.
  • If you're at school or work, follow the emergency plan or the instructions of the person in charge.

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Tropical Depression

-What I did was study what is Tropical Depression all about and the other things connected to it.
- I learned how to identify if there is a Tropical Depression and classify a Tropical Depression according to it's Intensity;

  • Tropical depression which is an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined, closed surface circulation and maximum sustained winds of less than 34 knots (39 mph).,
  • Tropical Storm which is an organized system of strong thunderstorms with a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained winds between 34 knots (39 mph) and 64 knots (74 mph). and,
  • Hurricane/ Typhoon which is a system with sustained winds of at least 34 meters per second or 74 miles per hour (119 km/h).
- I can apply my learning to in other lessons related with Tropical Depression and also in my daily life because tropical depression is related with the rain or typhoons that may affect each one of us. And I can prepare myself for any typhoons or storms that will occur and tell others too so that they can prepare for the incoming typhoons or storms.

It is important to know what is Tropical Depression and what you may face during the season and what precautions to take when a storm is imminent.

Trivia:

-There are a variety of metrics commonly used to measure storm size.
-Storm "intensity" is defined as the maximum wind speed in the storm. This speed is taken as either a 1-minute or a 10-minute average at the standard reference height of 10 meters. The choice of averaging period, as well as the naming convention for classifying storms.
-Most tropical cyclones form in a worldwide band of thunderstorm activity near the equator, referred to as the Intertropical Front (ITF), the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), or the monsoon trough.