Question

data analysis lab
how can auvs help scientists learn more about hurricanes? autonomous underwater vehicles (auvs) can collect vast amounts of data under extreme conditions. scientists can use auvs to predict the path of a hurricane with great accuracy. predicting the intensity of a hurricane has proven to be more difficult. for example, scientists overesti - mated the intensity of hurricane irene, which made landfall on august 28, 2011 in new jersey.
data and observations
the graph shows water temperature readings recorded by an auv located off the coast of new jersey as hurricane irene passed over the water.
claim, evidence, reasoning

1. claim describe what happened to water temperature as the leading edge of hurricane irene passed over the auv on august 28.
2. evidence scientists hypothesize that storm waves lead to mixing of ocean layers, cooling the sea surface temperature by up to 8 °c. think about how hurricanes are fueled. how might this change in temperature affect the intensity of the storm?
3. reasoning if this hypothesis were supported with further data, how would this help scientists predict the intensity of hurricanes?

*data obtained from: schofield, o., s. glenn, and m. moline, 2013. the robot ocean network. american scientist, vol. 101, no. 6, nov./ dec., pp. 434 - 441.

Explanation:

Step1: Analyze the graph for water - temperature change

As the leading edge of Hurricane Irene passed over the AUV on August 28, looking at the graph, the water temperature decreased. The surface - water temperature (at lower depths) dropped from around 26°C to around 22°C or lower in some areas.

Step2: Consider hurricane fuel and temperature effect

Hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean water. A decrease in sea - surface temperature due to mixing of ocean layers (as hypothesized) would reduce the amount of heat and moisture available for the hurricane. This would likely weaken the storm as it has less energy source.

Step3: Evaluate prediction improvement

If the hypothesis is supported with further data, scientists could incorporate this relationship between ocean - layer mixing, temperature change, and hurricane intensity into their models. They could then use real - time temperature data from AUVs and other sources to predict more accurately how the intensity of a hurricane will change as it moves over different ocean areas.

Answer:

1. The water temperature decreased as the leading edge of Hurricane Irene passed over the AUV on August 28. The surface - water temperature dropped from around 26°C to around 22°C or lower in some areas.
2. Since hurricanes are fueled by warm ocean water, a decrease in sea - surface temperature due to mixing of ocean layers would reduce the heat and moisture available for the hurricane, likely weakening the storm.
3. If supported with further data, scientists could incorporate the relationship between ocean - layer mixing, temperature change, and hurricane intensity into their models and use real - time temperature data to predict hurricane intensity more accurately.