About 1,000 tornadoes touch down in the United States every year. One of the most powerful of these struck Greensburg, Kansas, in May 2007. With wind speeds of up to 205 miles per hour, the tornado destroyed 95 percent of the town in twenty minutes. Ten people were killed. Severe weather scientists study these types of deadly storms to discover how more lives can be saved. Tornadoes: The Science Behind Terrible Twisters explains how tornadoes develop, describes the technology and storm chasers that help predict and track the storms, and provides safety tips for surviving a terrible twister.
Children's Literature A straightforward introduction to the science of tornadoes, this book avoids sensationalism by providing basic facts about this particular kind of storm system. More in-depth information, such as types of tornadoes (only a waterspout is discussed in a sidebar box) and tornado shapes (funnel, rope, wide, or wedge) are not discussed, but features such as a chart of the Enhanced Fujita Scale prove useful for determining how a tornado is classified. Also included are chapters about how to stay safe if caught near this type of storm system, as well as careers and volunteer opportunities for those who find themselves sucked up into the vortex of tornado excitement. The May 2007 tornado that hit Greensburg, Kansas, is referenced the most in this easy to read text. Photos and graphics are clear and labeled appropriately. Part of The Science Behind Natural Disasters series. Reviewer: Maggie Chase

Torn adoes: the science behind terrible twisters

Silverstein, Alvin; Silverstein, Virginia B; Nunn, Laura Silverstein

Alvin Silverstein, Virginia Silverstein, and Laura Silverstein Nunn

Alvin Silverstein; Virginia B. Silverstein; Laura Silverstein Nunn

Enslow Publishing, LLC

Enslow Pub Inc

The science behind natural disasters, Berkeley Heights, NJ, c2010

United States, United States of America

Illustrated, PT, 2009

The seams of this book are too narrow to be scanned.

[curator]associate-francis-boyer@archive.org[/curator][date]20180709202732[/date][state]approved[/state][comment]199[/comment]

Includes bibliographical references and index.

48 p. : 25 cm
"Discusses the science behind tornadoes, including how and where they form, the scientific methods to track and predict them, and tornado safety tips"--Provided by publisher
Includes bibliographical references (p. 46) and index
Greensburg in ruins -- What's the weather? -- Understanding tornadoes -- When a tornado hits -- Tracking tornadoes -- Staying safe

A tornado story
What's the weather?
Understanding tornadoes
When a tornado hits
Tracking tornadoes
Staying safe.

2023-06-28