MOLINE, Ill. — Tornadoes can cause explosions of their own, from power transformers to hitting volatile chemical storage facilities. But what about attempting to blow up a tornado itself in order to save lives and property?
David from Davenport, Iowa asks, "What can't a tornado be stopped by an internal explosion?"
Blowing up a tornado sounds easy, right? These destructive weather events cause billions of dollars worth of damage across the U.S. each year, and depending on their track, they can also be accompanied by significant loss of life.
The theory of creating some kind of explosion within a thunderstorm isn't new, but the complexities are what keep it from becoming a reality today.
Problem No. 1: Supercell thunderstorms
We have to face the fact that we are dealing with something much larger than the tornado itself, and that's a supercell thunderstorm. These large and severe storms are capable of containing quite a bit of energy over a small distance. While setting off some type of explosion - a bomb or something similar - may temporarily disrupt a tornado that's in progress, it wouldn't stop the storm from rotating or even producing another tornado nearby. In fact, you will likely cause more damage to the surrounding landscape and population from the explosion itself.
Problem No. 2: Finding the right place at the right time
As scientists, we are still very much in the early stages of learning about tornadogenesis, or tornado development. Trying to pinpoint exactly where and when a tornado will form is extremely challenging, even with today's technology. Even after a tornado forms, how quickly could the resources be dispatched to its location to even be effective?
Problem No. 3: Disrupting the earth's natural cycle
Thunderstorms are a huge part of the natural earth cycle. What happens if we disrupt this cycle? Similar theories have been produced regarding hurricanes and trying to alter their strength and path using artificial means. Remember though, hurricanes act as a balancing mechanism for the earth in terms of energy. Disturb that energy balance, and you could potentially wind up creating something even more disastrous.
Solution: Be prepared
The best thing we can do is have a plan in place and be ready to react and execute that plan. It includes having a meeting place if your family becomes separated, having adequate shelter and an emergency resource supply, including a first aid kit, nonperishable food and drinking water. Having a plan is one of the best keys to surviving any type of severe weather.
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