How Cyclones are Formed? | Animation Video | OnlyIAS

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Cyclones are powerful storms characterized by strong winds, heavy rains, and often destruction along coastlines. Here's a simplified explanation of how cyclones are formed:

1. Warm Ocean Waters
Cyclone formation begins over warm ocean waters (typically 26.5°C or above) because warm water is the primary source of energy for a cyclone. When the sun heats the surface of the ocean, it causes the water to evaporate, adding moisture to the air above.
2. Low-Pressure Area Develops
As warm air rises from the surface of the ocean, it creates a low-pressure area because the warm, moist air is lighter than the surrounding cooler air. The surrounding air with higher pressure then rushes toward the low-pressure area, causing a cyclonic circulation.
3. Coriolis Effect Initiates Rotation
The Earth's rotation causes a deflection of the moving air due to the Coriolis effect, which gives the cyclone its characteristic spinning motion. In the Northern Hemisphere, cyclones rotate counterclockwise, and in the Southern Hemisphere, they rotate clockwise.
4. Rising Warm, Moist Air
The warm, moist air continues to rise and cool as it moves upward. This cooling causes the water vapor to condense into clouds and rain. The condensation releases heat (called latent heat), which further warms the surrounding air, causing more warm air to rise.
5. Formation of a Cyclonic Structure
As this process continues, the system grows stronger, with wind speeds increasing. The cyclonic system becomes more organized, forming a circular structure with clouds spiraling inward toward the low-pressure center.
6. The Eye of the Cyclone
As the cyclone intensifies, it often forms an eye at the center. The eye is an area of relatively calm weather with light winds, surrounded by the eye wall, which is the most violent part of the storm with the strongest winds and heaviest rains.
7. Cyclone Maturity
The cyclone continues to strengthen as long as it remains over warm waters and has a consistent supply of energy. Once fully developed, it can cover a vast area, with strong winds, heavy rain, and sometimes storm surges (which can cause flooding).
8. Cyclone Weakening
Once the cyclone moves over cooler waters or onto land, it starts to lose its energy source, which is the warm ocean water. Without this energy, the cyclone begins to weaken and eventually dissipates.
Factors Required for Cyclone Formation:
Warm ocean temperatures (at least 26.5°C).
Coriolis force (to create rotation, hence cyclones rarely form close to the equator).
Low vertical wind shear (if winds at different altitudes move in different directions, the cyclone can't organize and strengthen).
Pre-existing low-pressure disturbances (like tropical waves) often act as a trigger for cyclone development.
Cyclones are known by different names in various regions:

Hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast Pacific.
Typhoons in the Northwest Pacific.
Cyclones in the South Pacific and Indian Ocean.
This is the basic cycle of cyclone formation, from its beginning over warm ocean waters to its eventual weakening after making landfall or moving into cooler regions.






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