What Do You Know About Hypercanes?
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MIT meteorology professor Kerry Emanuel ′76, PhD ′78 says that, hypothetically, a hypercane could form if extremely humid, warm air and storm conditions combined with ocean water that was about 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
The resulting "hypercane," or mega-hurricane, would feature raging center winds of about 500 miles per hour, water vapor, sea spray, and storm debris that spewed so high, it would punch a hole in the the earth's stratosphere. Think of it like Hurricane Katrina on steroids.
It is possible? Emanuel and his colleagues recently told reporters at The Daily Galaxy, yes. The wet, stormy air wouldn't be hard to come by, though the hot ocean water would be rare. Current hurricanes form in 80+ degree ocean water. However, the impact of a large asteroid hitting the tropical ocean or a massive undersea volcano could generate such intense heating.
In fact, Emanuel and his colleagues think that asteroid-triggered hypercanes may have contributed to mass extinctions millions of years ago.
Frightened? Fascinated? Learn more about Emanuel's research or watch a clip about hypercanes from the History Channel:
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GhgD6XvCY5o]
Comments
Shawn Seaman
Tue, 06/25/2013 9:35am
I've read abouthypercanes. It is an interesting topic but scary to know that it could be possible for someone to create one as a weapon.
Anthony Randall
Tue, 03/02/2010 1:24am
yes i imagined a storm like this may have occured in the first century of earth. I think hypercanes may actually tear a huge hole into earths atmosphere and ultimately destroy the stratosphere in which it plays a part in hypercanes formation.
Anonymous
Fri, 11/19/2010 12:02am
I am completely and utterly fascinated by this whole thing. I've been studying atmospheric sciences on my own for about five years, and I love it. I hope to get a degree in this subject someday. Kerry Emmanuel first coined the term "hypercane" in 1994, if anyone's interested. It's actually short for hyper-hurricane, which is essentially what a hypercane is. Amazing, how little we know about our plane. Who would've thought?!
John Nguyen
Sun, 08/15/2010 11:28pm
I was afraid of hurricanes, but now this! I am completely terrified now.
jonathan
Mon, 07/26/2010 4:07am
These are very very dangerous, i have studied, lately with global warming i think that its very possible soon. but one it hits up in the northern states and continents, it will dive down, because of the freezing waters up here. So if this ever happens, Stay to the north! in canada, NOT IN THE OCEAN!!
christina
Tue, 11/03/2009 4:05am
i didnt know there
was such thing as hypercanes!xD WOW!O.O O-O