Final answer:
Tornadoes differ from hurricanes in terms of structure and origin, size and impact, and touching the ground.
Step-by-step explanation:
A tornado differs from a hurricane in several ways:
1. Structure and Origin:
Tornadoes are small, localized, and short-lived rotating columns of air that form within severe thunderstorms. They are created when warm, moist air collides with cool, dry air, causing the air to spin. Hurricanes, on the other hand, are large, organized, and long-lasting tropical cyclones that form over warm ocean waters near the equator. They develop from pre-existing disturbances and require sustained winds of at least 74 mph.
2. Size and Impact:
Tornadoes are typically much smaller than hurricanes, with diameters ranging from a few hundred feet to a mile. They can vary in intensity and cause localized damage along their narrow paths. In contrast, hurricanes can span hundreds of miles and have a tremendous impact over a wide area. They can bring intense wind, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and produce widespread destruction over land.
3. Touching the Ground:
While both tornadoes and hurricanes can cause damage, only a tornado touches the ground when it forms. Tornadoes frequently touch down as a swirling vortex that interacts with the Earth's surface, leading to the destruction of buildings and vegetation. Hurricanes, although they originate over water, do not make direct contact with the ground. Instead, they primarily impact coastal regions and can cause flooding due to storm surge and heavy rainfall.
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