Visualizing
Hurricanes
http://images.nationalgeographic.com
A multimedia lesson about hurricanes, storm surge, and
scientific visualizations from models
Scientific
Visualization
http://www.designworldonline.com/uploads/ImageGallery/2nascar.jpg
http://design.osu.edu/carlson/history/images/small/ibm-dx-MRIhead.gif
Scientific Visualization
• The representation of
data in a graphical
and interactive way
as a method of
gaining
understanding and
insight into the data
http://www.eecs.berkeley.edu/~ddgarcia/optical/lensnet.html
Hurricane Katrina Visualization http://www.gfdl.noaa.gov/flashvideo?vid=katrina&title=Hurricane%20Katrina%20Model%20Forecast
A lesson plan focused on
visualizations…
• Project for a NSF grant - NG Coastal Hazard Collaboratory
• http://ngchc.org/
REAL Visualization Tool
Rapid
Estimates of
Approaching
Landfall
http://tuscweather.net/content/content/images/hurricane_formation.jpg
Hurricane
Review
http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/00758/en/disaster/hurricane/structure.jpg
http://www.katrina.noaa.gov/images/katrina-08-28-2005.jpg
Storm Surge: The real killer during Hurricanes
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/images/surgebulge_COMET.jpg
Storm Surge Animation
http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/surge/animations/hurricane_stormsurge.swf
Storm Surge + Wave Setup
Wave Setup
Elevation
above
Sea Level
Storm Surge
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Image: C. Riley
WAVE SETUP: An increase in water elevation in
addition to storm surge caused by the storm’s waves
Wave Setup vs Wave Height
http://cawcr.gov.au/bmrc/pubs/tcguide/ch4/ch4_figures/fig4_12.jpg
Storm Surge + Wave Setup + Tide
Wave Setup
Storm Surge
Elevation
above
Sea Level
Normal High Tide
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Image: C. Riley
While tide is not included in storm surge heights, astronomical
tides can drastically effect how areas of coastlines are effected
during a hurricane. STORM TIDE is the combined height of the
storm surge and tide height.
Storm Surge vs. Inundation
Wave Setup
Storm Surge
Inundation
Elevation
above
Sea Level
Normal High Tide
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Image: C. Riley
STORM SURGE: the increase in normal water elevation caused by the
storm' s winds and pressure
INUNDATION: the depth of water over what normally would be dry land,
including tides, surge and wave setup
Inundation Math
Total Possible Inundation = (Tide Level + Storm Surge + Wave Setup) – Elevation
Wave Setup
Storm Surge
Inundation
Elevation
Tide Level
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Inundation Math: High Tide
Total Possible Inundation = (Tide Level + Storm Surge + Wave Setup) – Elevation
Wave Setup = 6ft
Storm Surge = 14 ft
Inundation
10ft
Elevation = 12 ft
High Tide = +2 ft
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Total Possible Inundation for the House = (+2ft + 14ft + 6ft) – 12ft
Inundation Math: Low Tide
Total Possible Inundation = (Tide Level + Storm Surge + Wave Setup) – Elevation
Wave Setup = 6ft
Storm Surge = 14 ft
Inundation
6 ft
Elevation = 12 ft
Low Tide = -2 ft
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Total Possible Inundation for the House = (-2ft + 14ft + 6ft) – 12ft
Inundation Math
Total Possible Inundation = (Tide Level + Storm Surge + Wave Setup) – Elevation
Wave Setup = 2ft
2 ft
Storm Surge = 14 ft
Elevation = 12 ft
Low Tide = -2 ft
Sea Level
Image: C. Riley
Total Possible Inundation for the House = (-2ft + 14ft + 2ft) – 12ft
REAL Visualization Tool
Rapid Estimates of Approaching Landfall
Google Earth is our FRIEND!
Compass
Click to shift your
view of the map (or
click and drag)
Storm Surge Depth Key
Click for street view
Zoom Bar (or you can
double click a location)
Layers: (Different things
the map can show you)
To turn on/off a layer,
click on the box to the
left of its name.
Visualizing Hurricanes: The Lesson Plan
stormsurge.disl.org