Translate MND

Hurricanes As Heat Engines


Hurricanes As Heat Engines		 Infrared image of Hurricane Rita
Image courtesy NOAA
Purpose: To examine authentic sea surface temperature data to explore how hurricanes extract heat energy from the ocean surface
Grade Level: 3 (gifted) and 4 – 12
Estimated Time for Completing Activity: 50 minutes
Learning Outcomes:
  • Students will practice finding data via the Internet.
  • Students will practice making line plots and data maps.
  • Students will understand how hurricanes gain energy from the ocean surface.
National Standards:
  • Geography: Places and Regions
  • Math: Data Analysis and Probability
  • Science Content: D Earth and Space Science
Virginia Standards of Learning:
  • ES.1c: The student will plan and conduct investigations in which scales, diagrams, maps, charts, graphs, tables, and profiles are constructed and interpreted.
  • ES.2a: The student will demonstrate scientific reasoning and logic by analyzing how science explains and predicts the interactions and dynamics of complex Earth systems.
  • ES.11c: The student will investigate and understand that oceans are complex, interactive physical, chemical, and biological systems and are subject to long- and short-term variations. Key concepts include systems interactions (density differences, energy transfer, weather, and climate).
  • ES.13c: The student will investigate and understand that energy transfer between the sun and the Earth and its atmosphere drives weather and climate on Earth. Key concepts include severe weather occurrences, such as tornadoes, hurricanes, and major storms.
Prerequisite:
  • Introduction to weather or hurricanes
  • Familiarity with accessing the Internet
  • Familiarity with finding coordinates on a map
Tools:
  • Computer with Internet access
  • Computer Printer and paper
  • Map or Atlas
Vocabulary:
Lesson Links:
Background:

The passage of a hurricane causes a large transfer of heat between the ocean surface and the atmosphere. It also causes surface waters to diverge, bringing cooler water from below to the surface (upwelling). These effects are so large that they can be seen by a drop in sea surface temperature (SST) in satellite data observations along the path of the storm. The cooler water conditions may last for a week or longer after the storm.

In this lesson, you will examine a historical Category 5 hurricane, Hurricane Rita, that crossed the Gulf of Mexico during September 18-24, 2005. First, you will use the MY NASA DATA Live Access Server to obtain sea surface temperature data maps of the Gulf of Mexico. Then, you will construct a time series of SST data (line plot) for a location within the path of the hurricane where a drop in SST is observed.
Procedure:

Using the lesson links above, read about the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season and examine the track of Hurricane Rita.

Part I: Use the Live Access Server to make daily data maps of SST for the Gulf of Mexico during and after the passage of Hurricane Rita. An example data map is provided above.

1. Click on the lesson link for the Live Access Server.
2. Click on Surface, Surface Conditions, Daily Sea Surface Temperature (MCSST). Click Next.
3. Using the map applet, select the region of the Gulf of Mexico.
4. Select a date during or after the week of Rita. Click Next.
5. A pop-up window should appear with your data plot. Be sure to enable pop-ups in your browser.
6. Repeat for several consecutive days. Save or print your results.
7. Choose a day of interest and make note of the coordinates along the track of Rita where lowered SST is observed.

Part II: Use the Live Access Server to make a line plot of your selected position in the path of Huricane Rita. An example line plot is provided above.

1. Return to the Live Access Server data selection interface for MCSST.
2. This time, Select view as Time series.
3. Enter your selected position in the latitude – longitude text boxes to the right of the map applet.
4. Select a time range for the month of September and October 2005. Click Next.
5. A pop-up window should appear with your line plot. Save or print your results.
Questions:

1. As a class, compare the daily SST maps of the Gulf of Mexico for the dates during and after Hurricane Rita. Do you see any evidence of lowered sea surface temperature in the data maps? Do you notice any lag time between the hurricane passage and effect on SST?

2. Examine your line plot of sea surface temperature for your selected location. Can you see the effect on the temperature in your line plot after the hurricane passed? How long did it take for the SST to return to normal?

3. What conclusions can you make about how hurricanes extract heat energy from the ocean? Write a paragragh to explain.
Extensions:

1. Using the same procedure, examine the SST data during and after Hurricane Ophelia (September 7 – 18) and Hurricane Wilma (October 17-25). Do you see similar effects on sea surface temperature?

2. Examine other hurricanes in the Gulf, Atlantic or Pacific. Do you see any effects on SST? Why or why not?

Please note: Data is not available for the week after Hurricane Katrina because the hurricane interrupted data processing at the Naval Oceanographic Office at Stennis Space Center, Mississippi.

Lesson plan contributed by the MY NASA DATA Team

Freedom of Information Act | NASA Web Privacy Policy

Responsible NASA Official: Dr. Lin Chambers
Page Curator: Daniel H. Oostra | Questions? Comments? Contact Us