Question

Which of the following statements regarding hurricanes is/are correct?

1. They develop over the ocean between 8° – 15° N.

1. They are almost absent in the South Atlantic Ocean.

1. They do not develop close to the equator.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

(a) 1 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer 1

(a) Hurricanes develop over the oceans between 8°-15° N. The term “tropical” refers to the geographical origin of these systems, which usually form over the tropical oceans. The term “cyclone” refers to their cyclonic nature, with wind blowing counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and clockwise in the Southern Hemisphere. The opposite direction of circulation is due to the Coriolis force. Depending on its location and strength, a tropical cyclone is referred to by names such as hurricane, typhoon, tropical storm, cyclonic storm, tropical depression and simply cyclone.