Hypercane: Difference between revisions
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A '''hypercane''' is a theoretical class of [[tropical cyclone]] that could form if ocean temperatures reached around 50° [[Celsius]] (122° [[Fahrenheit]])—15° higher than the warmest ocean temperature ever recorded.<ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/temp.html&edu=high Temperature of Ocean Water, Windows to the Universe]</ref>—which could in turn be caused by a large [[asteroid]] or [[comet]] impact, a large [[volcano|volcanic]] or [[supervolcano|supervolcanic]] eruption, or very extensive [[global warming]].<ref>[http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30308 The Dawn of the Hypercane?]</ref> There is some speculation that some [[dinosaur]]s might have been killed off by a series of hypercanes, resulting from an asteroid or comet crashing into [[Earth]].<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14519632.600-did-storms-land-the-dinosaurs-in-hot-water.html Did storms land the dinosaurs in hot water?]</ref> The term was originally coined by atmospheric scientist [[Kerry Emanuel]] in [[1996]], at [[MIT]].<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref> | A '''hypercane''' is a theoretical class of [[tropical cyclone]] that could form if ocean temperatures reached around 50° [[Celsius]] (122° [[Fahrenheit]])—15° higher than the warmest ocean temperature ever recorded.<ref>[http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/earth/Water/temp.html&edu=high Temperature of Ocean Water, Windows to the Universe]</ref>—which could in turn be caused by a large [[asteroid]] or [[comet]] impact, a large [[volcano|volcanic]] or [[supervolcano|supervolcanic]] eruption, or very extensive [[global warming]].<ref>[http://ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=30308 The Dawn of the Hypercane?]</ref> There is some speculation that some [[dinosaur]]s might have been killed off by a series of hypercanes, resulting from an asteroid or comet crashing into [[Earth]].<ref>[http://www.newscientist.com/article/mg14519632.600-did-storms-land-the-dinosaurs-in-hot-water.html Did storms land the dinosaurs in hot water?]</ref> The term was originally coined by atmospheric scientist [[Kerry Emanuel]] in [[1996]], at [[MIT]].<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref> | ||
=== | ===Physical description=== | ||
Hypercanes would have wind speeds of over 130 [[m/s]], but would also have a central pressure of less than 700 [[hectopascal]]s, giving them an enormous lifespan.<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref> | Hypercanes would have wind speeds of over 130 [[m/s]], but would also have a central pressure of less than 700 [[hectopascal]]s, giving them an enormous lifespan.<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref> | ||
Revision as of 10:00, 9 April 2007
A hypercane is a theoretical class of tropical cyclone that could form if ocean temperatures reached around 50° Celsius (122° Fahrenheit)—15° higher than the warmest ocean temperature ever recorded.[1]—which could in turn be caused by a large asteroid or comet impact, a large volcanic or supervolcanic eruption, or very extensive global warming.[2] There is some speculation that some dinosaurs might have been killed off by a series of hypercanes, resulting from an asteroid or comet crashing into Earth.[3] The term was originally coined by atmospheric scientist Kerry Emanuel in 1996, at MIT.[4]
Physical description
Hypercanes would have wind speeds of over 130 m/s, but would also have a central pressure of less than 700 hectopascals, giving them an enormous lifespan.[4]
Hypercanes in fiction
The anime Tactical Roar uses a fictional hypercane in the Pacific Ocean as a pretext to showcase naval battles, which are the series' focus.