hurricane

Interactive map of historical hurricane tracks

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Historical Hurricane Tracks tool shows the tracks and characteristics of over 6,000 tropical cyclones around the world dating back to 1842.
 
In addition to the hurricane tracks, users can explore the category, wind speed, and minimum pressure of each hurricane at different points in its track.
 
A flexible search feature allows users to search by name, date, region, or specific location.
 

Interactive map of natural hazards and land use in the District of Columbia

The District of Columbia's Office of the Chief Technology Officer makes a huge amount of information available in interactive map form. The DC Atlas Plus map has over 340 layers of publicly available map data on a huge range of topics, including transportation, public facilities, demographics, cultural and social locations, planning and zoning, and geoscientific data. The geoscience layers available include information on:

EARTH Magazine: Kamikaze Typhoons Spared Japan from Kublai Kahn

In a small lake along the Japanese coast, scientists have found evidence of turbulent waters centuries ago. These telltale signs of severe weather in the geologic record support the legend of the two kamikaze typhoons that protected Japan from Mongol invasion. EARTH Magazine follows University of Amherst geoscientist Kinuyo Kanamaru and his research team as the dig up history in search of signs of the storms.

EARTH: Hurricane Hunters Fly Toward Improved Storm Forecasts

Each year, as hurricanes hit U.S. coastlines, scientists study them to improve forecasts critical for saving lives and property. Last year, unmanned aircraft from NASA flew into the biggest storms as part of a project to improve hurricane forecasts by 50 percent over the next 10 years. EARTH Magazine reports in the August issue, three projects in particular - the Hurricane Forecast Improvement Program, NASA's 2010 Genesis and Rapid Intensification Project Field Experiment and its replacement, the Hurricane and Severe Storm Sentinel Project - may be responsible for a 20 percent error reduction in the hurricane track and intensity forecasts.

EARTH: Lofted by Hurricanes, Bacteria Live the High Life

With cold temperatures, low humidity and high levels of ultraviolet radiation, conditions 10 kilometers above Earth's surface may seem inhospitable. But, next time you're flying consider this: The air outside your airplane window may be filled with microscopic life that affects everything from weather and climate to the distribution of pathogens around the planet.

Hurricane Information and Educational Tools Available

The American Geological Institute (AGI), as an active member of the Congressional Hazards Caucus Coalition, helps to provide resources on the mitigation and response to natural hazards. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, AGI would like to remind the public of the availability of information and educational tools related to understanding the causes and effects of hurricanes as well as preparing for and responding these events.

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