Hurricanes are the largest and most violent storms on Earth. They are large rotating storms with high speeds that form over warm waters. These storms are known as hurricanes in North America and the Caribbean. However, they have different names in other regions. In South East Asia, they are called typhoons. In the Indian Ocean, they are known as cyclones. Hurricane winds move at the speed of at least 74 miles per hour. They can be as wide as 300 miles. But, how are these huge storms formed?
a world map showing that hurricanes occur north of the equator in the Atlantic Ocean, cyclones occur north and south of the equator in the Indian Ocean, and typhoons occur north of the equator in South East asia
Hurricanes are often compared to engines. Just like engines, they need a type of fuel. Hurricanes form over warm ocean waters near the equator. For hurricanes, their fuel is warm, moist air. When hurricanes form, the warm, moist air above the ocean rises upward from close to the surface of the water. Because the warm air rises, it results in less air under the surface of the water. This area with less air is known as an area with low pressure.
Based on the information in the text, why do hurricanes, cyclones, or typhoons form close to the equator? (2 points)
a
It is coldest near the equator, and these storms need continual cool, moist air to form.
b
It is hottest near the equator, and these storms need continual warm, moist air to form.
c
It is the only part of the ocean that has warm water, which fuels hurricanes to form.
d
It is the only part of the ocean that is warm and deep enough for a hurricane to form.
