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From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Typhoon Gaemi
Why in the News?
After making landfall in the Philippines, Typhoon Gaemi is heading towards Taiwan.
What is a Typhoon?
- A typhoon is a mature tropical cyclone that forms in the Northwest Pacific Ocean, primarily between 100°E and 180°E.
- It is characterised by strong winds, and heavy rain, and can cause significant damage due to high wind speeds, storm surges, and flooding.
Factors causing its formation:
- It needs sustained ocean temperatures of 26.5°C or higher.
- High moisture content in the mid-troposphere.
- Presence of the Coriolis force to initiate rotation.
- Minimal vertical wind shear to allow for storm growth.
- Atmospheric instability to promote rising motion and thunderstorm activity.
- An initial low-pressure area or tropical wave to trigger development.
- Formation Regions: Northwest Pacific Ocean in areas east of the Philippines, southeast of Japan, and near Taiwan; South China Sea and in Western North Pacific near the Mariana Islands and Guam.
| Note: Typhoons do not form in the South Atlantic Ocean and the southeastern Pacific Ocean because of cooler sea surface temperatures and higher wind shear in those regions. |
PYQ:[2015] In the South Atlantic and South-Eastern Pacific regions in tropical latitudes, cyclone does not originate. What is the reason? (a) Sea surface temperatures are low |
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