Scientist: Ocean provides a large amount of energy for typhoons

Typhoons are systems in the Pacific Ocean that reach speeds of up to 200 km/h. Their main threat is rainfall, which causes flooding, Dr. Artur Szkop from the Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences told PAP. The Pacific provides an ideal energy source for typhoons, becoming active at temperatures of 27 degrees Celsius.

The powerful Typhoon Kalmaegi made landfall in the central Philippines on Monday before midnight. On Tuesday, media reported 26 fatalities. Nearly 400,000 people were evacuated from the affected areas.

Kalmaegi is a Category 2 typhoon, reaching maximum speeds of up to 200 km/h. However, the typhoon's average speeds remain between 160-180 km/h.

Therefore, PAP asked Dr. Artur Szkop from the Department of Atmospheric Physics of the Institute of Geophysics of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IGF PAN) to explain the process of typhoon formation. The expert reminded that this is the term we use to describe systems that form in the Pacific Ocean.

"Every cyclone is a low-pressure system, but not every cyclone is a tropical cyclone or hurricane, due to their different energy source. A hurricane is a very specific atmospheric phenomenon, in which the energy source is heat transfer between the ocean surface and the lower stratosphere," said the expert. He explained that this phenomenon has two heat reservoirs: one with a high temperature near the water surface, and the other with a low temperature at the junction of the troposphere and stratosphere.

According to the expert, most tropical cyclones, including typhoons, occur in the Pacific Ocean. "The fact that the Pacific is just shy of half the size of the planet has certain consequences. The ocean is a source of significant energy. Furthermore, it lacks any land, which also favors the atmospheric phenomenon of a typhoon," Szkop said.

He reminded that average ocean surface temperatures in the Pacific are higher than those in the Atlantic. Therefore, for a tropical cyclone system to become active, the ocean surface temperature must reach between 26 and 27 degrees Celsius, he emphasized.

He noted that typhoon season generally lasts year-round in the Pacific Ocean. However, its peak is observed in late summer and early autumn. "On Monday, the typhoon formed near the center of the Pacific Ocean. Moving west, it struck the central Philippines, which is a very specific area. It is located on several thousand small islands, which means that most of the population, especially in the central Philippines, lives near the ocean," Szkop explained.

According to the scientist, the main threat associated with cyclone formation isn't the wind itself, but the enormous rainfall it brings. These cause flooding and, to a lesser extent, destruction, including demolished houses. "The Philippines is located in mountainous areas, where landslides occur during heavy rainfall. Deforestation also increases the likelihood of flooding, as the forest floor is unable to absorb large amounts of water," Szkop admitted. (PAP)

kpr/ zan/

The PAP Foundation permits free reprinting of articles from the Nauka w Polsce website, provided that you notify us by email once a month of your use of the website and cite the source of the article. On portals and websites, please include the linked address: Source: naukawpolsce.pl, and in journals, please include the annotation: Source: Nauka w Polsce website - naukawpolsce.pl. This permission does not apply to information in the "World" category or any photographs or video materials.