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The Saffir-Simpson Scale — Reading Comprehension

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This engaging reading passage, titled 'The Saffir-Simpson Scale,' explains how scientists categorize hurricanes based on their wind speed and potential for damage. Students will learn about the different categories, from Category 1 to Category 5, and the associated risks like storm surge and wind damage. The passage defines key terms in simple language, making complex scientific concepts accessible for Grade 6 readers. It aligns with NGSS MS-ESS3-2, helping students analyze and interpret data on natural hazards to understand catastrophic events. The content is designed to be informative and includes relevant SEO keywords such as 'hurricane intensity,' 'natural disaster preparedness,' and 'weather safety.' All passages and activities are audio integrated for enhanced learning.

CONTENT PREVIEW

Wide graphic showing a swirling hurricane and five colored category bars with speeds. Image Caption: Visual guide of the Saffir-Simpson scale’s five hurricane categories by wind speed. More to explore: - The role of storm surge and rainfall in hurricane impacts - How meteorologists measure sustained wind speeds - Historical Category 5 hurricanes and their lessons for preparedness — Visual guide of the Saffir-Simpson scale’s five hurricane categories by wind speed.

Imagine a swirling giant, miles wide, bringing powerful winds and heavy rain. How do we measure the strength of such a massive force of nature? For hurricanes, scientists use a special tool called the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. This scale helps us understand how strong a hurricane is and what kind of damage it might cause, which is crucial for natural hazard preparedness and weather forecasting.

The Saffir-Simpson Scale categorizes hurricanes into five different levels, or categories, based on their sustained wind speed. "Sustained" means the wind speed that lasts for a minute or more. This is important because it's not just about a quick gust of wind, but about continuous powerful winds. The categories range from Category 1, which is the least intense, to Category 5, which is the most dangerous. Understanding these categories is key to predicting catastrophic events and informing safety measures.

A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour (mph). While this might not sound like much, it can still cause significant damage, like knocking down power lines and tearing off roof tiles. As the wind speed increases, so does the potential for destruction. A Category 3 hurricane, for instance, has winds from 111 to 129 mph and is considered a "major hurricane." These storms can cause extensive structural damage to homes and buildings.

The most powerful hurricanes are Category 5, with winds of 157 mph or higher. These storms are incredibly destructive, capable of causing widespread devastation, including the complete collapse of many homes and buildings. Besides wind, hurricanes also bring dangerous storm surge, which is an abnormal rise of water generated by the storm, moving above the predicted astronomical tide. The scale primarily focuses on wind speed, but emergency planners also consider storm surge, rainfall, and coastal impacts when making safety decisions. Knowing the hurricane category helps communities plan evacuations and deploy resources to mitigate the effects of natural disasters.

Interesting Fact: The Saffir-Simpson Scale was originally developed in 1971 by Herbert Saffir and Robert Simpson to estimate the potential for property damage.

What is the Saffir-Simpson Scale used for?

Measuring earthquake strengthCategorizing hurricanesPredicting rainfallTracking ocean tides

How many categories are on the Saffir-Simpson Scale?

ThreeFourFiveSix

Which category of hurricane is considered the most dangerous?

Category 1Category 3Category 5Category 2

What is a 'sustained' wind speed in a hurricane?

Quick gust of windWind for one minuteWind for few secondsSlow moving wind

Why is understanding hurricane categories important?

To name stormsTo plan safety measuresTo measure ocean depthTo track rainfall

Besides wind speed, what other dangers do hurricanes bring?

Snowfall and iceEarthquakes and tsunamisStorm surge and rainfallVolcanic eruptions