Question map
What is a fierce tropical revolving storm in North-West Australia known as ?
Explanation
A fierce tropical revolving storm in North-West Australia is locally known as a 'Willy-Willy'. Tropical cyclones are intense low-pressure systems characterized by violent winds that are given different regional names based on their location [3]. While they are called 'Typhoons' in the China Sea and Western Pacific, 'Hurricanes' in the Atlantic and Caribbean, and 'Cyclones' in the Indian Ocean, the term 'Willy-Willy' specifically refers to those occurring in North-Western and Western Australia [2]. Although some modern sources suggest the term may also refer to dust storms or is an older Aboriginal term for small circulations, it remains the classic geographical designation for Australian tropical cyclones in competitive examinations. These storms typically form in tropical latitudes where warm ocean waters provide the necessary energy for their development.
Sources
- [1] Certificate Physical and Human Geography , GC Leong (Oxford University press 3rd ed.) > Chapter 14: Climate > Cyclonic Activity > p. 142
- [3] Environment and Ecology, Majid Hussain (Access publishing 3rd ed.) > Chapter 8: Natural Hazards and Disaster Management > Tropical Cyclones > p. 46
- [2] Physical Geography by PMF IAS, Manjunath Thamminidi, PMF IAS (1st ed.) > Chapter 26: Tropical Cyclones > Regional Names For Tropical Cyclones > p. 370