Your friend is learning about hurricane storm surges. They tell you a storm surge is always the same height, no matter what. Explain why your friend is wrong using THREE pieces of evidence from the text.

Answer 1

Your friend's understanding of storm surges is incorrect, and here are three reasons why:

1. Variability in Storm Intensity: The height of a storm surge is directly influenced by the intensity of the hurricane or storm. More powerful hurricanes, characterized by lower atmospheric pressure and stronger winds, can generate higher surges. For example, a Category 5 hurricane can produce significantly taller surges than a Category 1 hurricane, showcasing variability in surge height based on storm intensity.

2. Geographical Factors: The height of a storm surge can vary greatly depending on the geographical features of the coastline where the hurricane makes landfall. Areas with shallow coastal waters or bays can experience higher surges due to the funneling effect, while deeper or more open coastal regions may see lower surges. This geographical variation means that even for storms of similar strength, the associated surge height can differ dramatically based on local conditions.

3. Tidal Conditions: The timing of the storm with respect to tidal cycles can also affect storm surge height. If a hurricane makes landfall during a high tide, the resulting surge can be amplified, leading to much higher water levels. Conversely, if the storm occurs during low tide, the impact of the surge may be less severe. This timing factor illustrates that surge heights are not fixed and can fluctuate based on external conditions.

These points highlight that storm surges are not uniform and can vary in height due to a combination of storm intensity, geographical features, and tidal influences.