Who made the hurricanes, Zeus or Poseidon?

Poseidon, am I.

I am the god of the seas and all tributaries around the world. I am responsible for earthquakes and the creator of horses. Zeus and Hades are my brothers. It has come to my attention recently that a few of you mortals are in some confusion over who is responsible for the manifestation of tropical cyclones.

In the final days of October 2012, those of you residing on the Eastern Seaboard of the United States were affected by a hurricane affectionately named "Sandy." A curious name, indeed, as the storm was more windy and rainy than sandy. Now I will teach you a few things about tropical cyclones to put your mind at ease.

Satellite image of Hurricane Sandy off the U.S. Eastern Coastline

Hurricanes are large funnels of wind and spiraling clouds that need warm, humid air to continue revolving and to maintain their power. Does my brother Zeus control these storms? No, of course he doesn't. These tropical cyclones form over warm waters—waters of my domain—such as those found near the equator. The storms generally travel from east to west. As the warm air rises, an area of low pressure results below. Higher pressure from the surrounding air passes in to the lower pressure area. Are you following me, mortal? Pay attention. This air then becomes warm and humid, rising like it did before. As the warm air rises, it quickly cools. Clouds are then formed by the water droplets in the rising air. This system is constantly fueled by the ocean's warmth and water evaporating upward from the surface. From this cycle, the pattern is set and the early stages of a typhoon begins to form.



Cross-section* view of a hurricane.

As the storm funnel spins faster and faster, an "eye" takes shape in the center. It may surprise you, mortal, but the eye of the storm is very calm and clear. When the rotating winds are measured at 39 miles per hour, then the phenomenon is referred to as a "tropical storm." Only when wind speeds reach and exceed 74 miles per hour does the storm officially become a hurricane or typhoon. Tropical cyclones categorized by their wind speeds:

Storm Category	Wind Speeds (mph)	Height of Storm Surge (ft)	Potential Landfall Damage
5	Exceeding 155	19 and above	Catastrophic
4	131 to 155	13 to 18	Extensive
3	111 to 130	9 to 12	High
2	96 to 110	6 to 8	Medium
1	74 to 95	4 to 5	Low

As you have learned, hurricanes—such as Sandy—are not concoctions of my brother Zeus, but are terrible and devastating toys of my creation. If not for my domain's warm waters, you would not have these spectacular storms. I have given life to these instruments of my power to remind you, mortals, that there are natural and divine forces you will never be able to comprehend or control.

*Source: NOAA