NASA | In Katrina's Wake

Hurricane Katrina in 2005 had a profound impact on both urban areas and regional forests, killing or damaging millions of trees. The storm's winds and rains affected soil and vegetation, turning forests from carbon sinks to carbon sources. The event sparked debates on climate change's role in hurricane frequency. NASA's advanced sensors provide detailed insights into storm dynamics, aiding in understanding hurricanes' complexity.

What technology did researchers use to estimate the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina to Gulf Coast forests?

• Weather balloons

• NASA's Landsat and Terra satellites

• Drones

• Seismographs

How do forests act as carbon sinks?

• By providing habitat for wildlife

• By storing water in their roots

• By releasing oxygen into the atmosphere

• By absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis

What happens to the carbon storage process when trees are destroyed by storms like Katrina?

• It becomes more efficient

• It accelerates

• It reverses

• It remains unchanged

What is one argument made by scientists who are skeptical of the link between global warming and increased hurricane intensity?

• Hurricanes are only influenced by ocean temperatures

• Hurricanes are becoming less frequent

• Natural cycles control hurricane frequency

• Hurricanes are not affected by climate change

What capability does NASA's advanced technology provide in the study of hurricanes?

• Predicting the exact path of hurricanes

• Imaging clouds and oceans in unprecedented detail

• Measuring the temperature of the ocean surface

• Tracking wildlife movements during storms