What would happen if a hurricane was to form/pass thru the oil spill in the gulf?
Jun 29, 2010
in
Hurricane
This is kinda like a "what if" question. This is a horrible disaster, and it is hurricane season. Would oil "get" into the rain, since water evaporates, to form rain? If this did happen it would be a disaster, or is it possible it would just be like a normal hurricane, with oil having no effect at all?
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4 comments
Austin on June 29, 2010 at 11:13 pm
Hurricanes take evaporated water from the ocean to use an energy. Oil does not evaporate like water. The hurricane could evaporate the water from the oil, but it would not take the oil with it. In other words, do not expect to see it raining oil anytime soon. The hurricane would form just like normal, however, it’s powerful storm serge could was a lot of oil up on shore. Think if the oil spill had happened in 2005. When Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans, the city would have been flooded with oil and water!
Lucky on June 29, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I heard that the hurricane would help clean up the oil spill, i’m not sure about the evaporation thing though
gatsby170 on June 29, 2010 at 11:13 pm
I think it’s a very open question. Some scientists think that the oil will reduce the evaporation of water vapor. This in turn, may limit its strengthening. A very strong storm, however, could mix the oil from the surface down deeper into the Gulf. The hurricane’s winds act like a mixer stirring up the surface water with the water deeper down.
I imagine the oil might limit the strengthening of a weak storm, but would probably not impact a strong storm. The truth, however, is not really known because we don’t have any examples in the real world.
SierraCheyenne on June 29, 2010 at 11:13 pm
If there is a Hurricane with the oil spill….the oil would move inland. Because i belive the evaporation to form the rain would turn into oil rain. Loll.. But very good question.