Across
- 2. a prolonged period of below average precipitation earthquake: shaking of the ground that is generated by disturbances in the Earth’s crust
- 3. an unusual accumulation of water that overflows from rivers, lakes and the ocean onto land that is not normally covered by water
- 5. aerially burning fuel that blows ahead of a fire front
- 6. a storm associated with lightning and thunder, occurring with cumulonimbus clouds
- 7. an extreme event that is the result of natural processes and causes serious material damage or loss of life
- 11. an intense fire that may generate strong convection currents and violent winds causing long-range spotting and flame spirals
- 12. part of a river valley covered by water during floods
- 13. used to measure the energy of earthquakes sclerophyll: plants found in low rainfall areas; their leathery leaves help reduce water loss
- 14. a period of well above average rainfall in eastern Australia that often brings floods
- 16. a persistent high pressure system that occurs on a large scale, remaining stationary for a period of time, compressing and warming the air below
- 18. the reversal (every few years) of the more usual direction of winds and surface currents across the Pacific Ocean. This change causes drought in eastern Australia and heavy rain in South America.
- 19. an extreme event that is the result of natural processes and has the potential to cause serious material damage and loss of life
Down
- 1. a surface where a cool air mass meets a warmer mass, into which it is advancing
- 3. the edge of a fire that spreads fastest
- 4. a major air pressure shift between the Asian and east Pacific regions. Its most common extremes are El Niño events.
- 8. a rise in sea level above the normal tide caused by very low atmospheric pressure and the stress of strong winds on the sea surface when a tropical cyclone approaches or crosses a coastline
- 9. measures aimed at preparing for floods and trying to reduce their effects, such as constructing artificial levees, strengthening bridges, raising road levels and enlarging drains
- 10. a severe weather event that occurs where warm, moist, rising air begins to spiral upwards. They are often accompanied by very strong winds, heavy rain and rough seas.
- 15. a fire burning out of control in the open; also called a wildfire
- 17. the point on the Earth’s surface directly above the focus of an earthquake
- 20. the loose material brought down by a river and deposited on its bed, flood plain or delta.
- 21. a prolonged period of very hot weather