GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -Air spirals in toward the center in a counter-clockwise pattern in the northern hemisphere (clockwise in the southern hemisphere), and out the top in the opposite direction. In the very center of the storm, air sinks, forming an “eye ” that is mostly cloud-free. Cross section of a typical hurricane.

Detailed explanation-2: -A mature hurricane is nearly circular in shape. The winds of a hurricane are very light in the center of the storm (blue circle in the image below) but increase rapidly to a maximum 10-50 km (6-31 miles) from the center (red) and then fall off slowly toward the outer extent of the storm (yellow).

Detailed explanation-3: -Hurricanes spin counterclockwise (like all low pressure centers in the northern hemisphere) because of the Coriolis Effect. Because the equator rotates faster than other areas of the Earth’s surface, anything moving in a straight line on a North to South axis will eventually curve.

Detailed explanation-4: -The storm takes the distinctive, spiraling hurricane shape because of the Coriolis Force, generated by the rotation of the Earth. This is the same force that causes the south-blowing African jet to bend westward over the Atlantic, spawning easterly waves.

Detailed explanation-5: -Hurricanes area essentially areas of low pressure. Air always likes to travel from high to low pressure, so it will move toward the storm. As the air moves to the storm, in the northern hemisphere, it will get turned to the right. This then creates a spinning motion that is counter clockwise.