BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
Lecture : 16 Student’s Space
Definition: Tsunami (Tsu = harbour, Nami = wave) refers to a series of
high-energy sea waves caused by sudden displacement of large
volumes of water, usually due to underwater tectonic activity.
Important Fact:
Tsunamis have nothing to do with tides and are often mistakenly called
“tidal waves.”
Cause & Formation :
o Triggered by underwater earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, or
seafloor fractures.
o When tectonic plates break or subduct, a fault is formed. One plate
moves downward, creating a trough, displacing water and forming
powerful waves.
o This sudden shift leads to the formation of a tsunami.
Early Warning Sign:
o If sea water recedes suddenly by 1 to 10 km, it is a strong
indicator that a tsunami may follow.
Why It Is Dangerous :
o Tsunamis travel as high-speed waves with massive energy.
o They can inundate large coastal areas and drown entire cities.
o Despite their wave height being less than 1 meter in deep ocean,
they are extremely dangerous due to unpredictability and
sudden landfall impact.
o Their low height makes them difficult to detect or predict in
advance.
Key Characteristics :
o Speed: More than 700 km/hr
o Wavelength: Usually greater than 200 km
o Wave Height: Less than 1 meter in deep water
o Region of Occurrence: Predominantly in the Pacific
Ocean, due to the presence of multiple subduction zones
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BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
Cyclone
Student’s Space
Definition
Cyclones are intense low-pressure areas from the center of which pressure
increases outwards. The amount of pressure drop in the center and the rate at
which it increases outwards gives the intensity of the cyclones and the strength
of winds.
Characteristic Features of Tropical Cyclones
Extremely high rainfall
Strong surface winds
Form over warm ocean waters
Associated with low-pressure zones
Surrounded by cloud bands and intense convection
Cyclone Naming System
Cyclones are named based on regions.
There are 6 Regional Warning Centres in the world.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) is one of the six Regional
Warning Centres for the Indian Ocean region.
13 countries contribute to the naming list, each submitting 13 names,
resulting in a total of 169 names. ( 13 countries × 13 names = 169 names)
The naming system is regulated by the World Meteorological Organization
(WMO) and a UN body.
Recent Cyclone Names
Biporjoy – Bangladesh
Tej – India
Hamoon – Iran
Midhili – Maldives
Criteria for Naming Cyclones:
- The name must be short, with a maximum of 8 letters
- Names should not hurt religious sentiments
- Names must not contain offensive or assault-related terms
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BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
Difference between Temperate Cyclone and Tropical Cyclone
Feature Temperate Cyclone Tropical Cyclone Student’s Space
Direction of West to East East to West
Movement
Causative Front formation Thermal origin (heat and
Factor moisture)
Frequency More frequent, uniform Less frequent, more
weather dangerous
Wind Speed 30–50 km/h Greater than 119 km/h
Cyclone Classification (Based on Wind Speed)
Wind Speed Range Classification
31–49 km/h Depression
50–61 km/h Deep Depression
62–88 km/h Cyclonic Storm (Category 1)
89–119 km/h Cyclonic Storm (Category 2)
>119 km/h Cyclone
>222 km/h Super Cyclonic Storm
Why Do Tropical Cyclones Die on Land?
Tropical cyclones derive their energy from warm ocean water. On land,
moisture supply is cut off, and surface friction increases. As a result, the system
weakens rapidly and begins to dissipate.
Additional Important Points
Direction of Rotation:
o In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counter-
clockwise due to the Coriolis force.
o In the Southern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate clockwise.
Damage Measurement Scale:
o Cyclone damage is measured using the Saffir–Simpson Scale
Cyclone Eye – Key Features
Located at the center of the cyclone
Area of acute low pressure
Clear sky, no clouds
Wind speed is highest near the rim of the eye
Terminology Based on Region
Cyclone: Indian Ocean
Willy-Willy: Australia
Typhoon: China Sea (North Pacific Ocean)
Baguio: Philippines
Hurricane: Caribbean countries (North Atlantic Ocean)
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BCW Prelims Class Notes BPSC CONCEPT WALLAH
Novaki: Japan
Student’s Space
Cyclone Movement & Structure
System movement speed: 15–25 km/h
Cyclone circle diameter: 150–300 km
Wind circulates: Counter-clockwise in Northern Hemisphere, Clockwise in
Southern Hemisphere
Cyclone Formation Conditions
Sea surface temperature above 27°C (tropical region)
High evaporation leads to low pressure zone and cloud development
Why Cyclones Die on Land
Moisture supply from ocean is cut off
Surface friction increases
Cyclone loses strength rapidly after landfall
Tornado
Originates from cumulonimbus clouds, funnel shaped
Affected by wind shear
Smaller than cyclones, but highly destructive
Forms over land, sometimes extends to water (waterspout)
Measured by: Fujita Tornado Scale
Most tornadoes occur in Caribbean Sea and Mississippi Plain (Tornado
Alley of the World)
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