Posted on 09/26/2005 7:54:39 PM PDT by george76
Long before Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, governments and engineers with lively imaginations have come up with some strange ideas for how to combat nature's wrath.
Hurricanes fail to inspire awe among these advocates of man-made anti-storm schemes. While others try to evacuate, these inventors draw up plans to seed clouds, spill oil, set up windmills and even drop atomic bombs to soften the blow of lethal hurricanes.
In the 1970s, the Soviets intentionally leaked oil into the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to stifle the droplets of water spray that help feed the violent winds of a hurricane.
Presumably the attempt failed but the results of the experiment have yet to be revealed, say researchers at the Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory (AOML).
Another variation on the same theme resembles a kind of modern art installation. The idea calls for laying out an enormous fabric over the ocean surface to slow the evaporation of water. The fabric, however, would have to span an area of at least 1,800 square kilometers (695 square miles).
Scientists have pointed out that an atomic explosion would merely make the hot center of a storm even hotter, not a particularly effective approach. There is also the problem of unleashing massive radiation near coastal cities.
The atomic bomb idea, like some other ambitious proposals, underestimates the sheer power of a serious hurricane, which generates thousands of times more energy than a nuclear bomb or power plant, Willoughby said.
One businessman proposed releasing a gooey substance into storm clouds. This would supposedly prevent the hurricane from rising up into the atmosphere and gaining force. Willoughby's laboratory is skeptical as much about the methods as the intended effect.
The laboratory calculated that the idea would require using 38,000 tonnes of the gooey substance to disarm a hurricane.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.yahoo.com ...
What was Green Peace's response?
Quantitative thinking has ruined many a good idea.
Well, hopefully after Karl Rove gets his weather machine debugged [they sold him a lemon], all future atmospherical and seismic disturbances would be safely redirected towards the axis of evil.
Thank you, thank you. You can direct deposit my Nobel Prize.
"What was Green Peace's response?"
Before or after they got there butts kicked by the soviets?
Gee, I remember this!
I wonder if blowing the levee's was one of those weird plans?
They could try using Babra Striesand, she makes enough hot air to diffuse any wicked weather?
Uh, hello, there were no hurricanes till Bush stole the 2000 election ;)
Oh, my mistake!
There is a reason for hurricanes. We just need to learn how to get out of their way.
Like filling the watershed?
Un-battened yesterday.
That too but I saw something awhile back about regulating temps in the oceans. Maybe the experts here can explain more about it.
I have a 4-ton AC unit! Just a few more volunteers and a bit of duct work and we're there! We can do it if we all join together for the common good or some-such nonsense like that ...
These crackpot ideas of controlling hurricanes are only going to damage the environment more. Who wants a radioactive storm, giant oil slick or diaper gel strewn all over the place? And how much do they think they'll need to do this season after season? Where will they get all the material and who will pay for it? I love the beach as much as anyone but the human cost would not be so great if people did not live and build in the storm track or flood zones.
Hurricanes are how we get a high annual rainfall average when it only rains three times a year. :)
Moonbat alert!
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