Chasing Tornadoes

- 6 Jan 2001

By Stuart Brown

Page 4 of 4

NOAA

The aftermath of a tornado
- but trying to stop one could cause chaos somewhere else in the world

JW: "We have learnt about the structure of tornadoes, including 3D windfield, how strong tornado winds actually are, confirmed the existence of multiple-vortices circling around some tornadoes causing extremely high winds near the surface. We are still trying to answer the major questions about the birth of tornadoes, called tornadogenesis".

FS: Will we ever be able to control or stop tornadoes?

JW: "No. It is, of course, possible to stop a tornado. One could drop a nuclear bomb and the heat of the explosion would disrupt the tornado and even the parent thunderstorm. But, even if it were practical to control or stop tornadoes, I believe it would be unwise and immoral to do so. The mathematical and physical equations that govern the atmosphere tell us that altering the weather in one area at one time will cause unpredictable consequences elsewhere at later times. it is morally wrong to purposely alter weather when the consequences may negatively impact other people and regions in unpredictable ways. No one can say whether preventing some tornadoes in Oklahoma will make floods worse in India, or deprive Missouri farmers of needed rain."

For more information:

Watch 'Storm Chasers: Fury in the Skies' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/stormchasers-fury-in-the-skies_8.html

Watch 'Storm Chasers: Fury in the Plains' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/storm-chasers-fury-on-the-plains_9.html

Watch 'Oaklahoma Fury' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/oklahoma-fury_12.html

Watch 'When Nature Strikes Back: Chasing Killer Storms' TV documentary
http://www.firstscience.com/home/firstscience.tv/when-nature-strikes-back-chasing-killer-storms_16.html

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I think that a set of controlled explosions could help to slow a tornado or hurricane and help it run its course earlier than it would have if it were to be left alone. If a set of explosions were set at the right point to disrupt the cyclone of the natural events I feel it could take away some of the distructive power it carries and help it die out earlier. Why not hit a hurricane at its infancy before it can manifest into the powerful force we have all seen or heard about? I do not believe that it can be done right away but it would not require a nuclear solution. We have large non-nuclear bombs that if dropped in succession could possibly take some of that force and power away and save lives. You can believe in the reaction theory if you choose but if it works and we can stay on top of when and where tornadoes and hurricanes form we would have a chance to somewhat control the duration and help it fall apart sooner. As far as starting a different storm or depriving farmers of water, we will never know until it is tried and successful.
Posted by: guest - 2009-01-09 - 18:47 GMT

Wwwwooooowwwwwww!!!
Posted by: guest - 2008-10-03 - 11:29 GMT

What regions do you find tornadoes in?
Posted by: guest - 2008-05-12 - 11:58 GMT

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