Hypercane: Difference between revisions
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A '''hypercane''' is a hypothetical 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 [[1994]], at [[MIT]].<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref><ref>[http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/1995/95JD01368.shtml Hypercanes: A Possible Link to Global Extinction Senarios]</ref> | A '''hypercane''' is a hypothetical 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 [[1994]], at [[MIT]].<ref name="MIT">[http://wind.mit.edu/~emanuel/holem/holem.html Limits on Hurricane Intensity]</ref><ref>[http://www.agu.org/pubs/crossref/1995/95JD01368.shtml Hypercanes: A Possible Link to Global Extinction Senarios]</ref> | ||
===Physical description=== | ===Physical description=== | ||
Revision as of 17:55, 26 May 2008
A hypercane is a hypothetical 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 1994, at MIT.[4][5]
Physical description
Hypercanes would have wind speeds of over 800 kilometers per hour (310.7 miles per hour; 130 m/s), and would also have a central pressure of less than 700 hectopascals, giving them an enormous lifespan. The extreme conditions needed to create such a storm could conceivably produce a system up to the size of North America, creating storm surges of Template:Ft to m and an eye nearly Template:Mi to km across. The waters could remain hot enough for weeks, allowing more hypercanes to be formed. A hypercane's clouds would reach 20 miles into the stratosphere. A hypercane could also damage the earth's ozone.Cite error: Closing </ref> missing for <ref> tag
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.