Images of Cyclone Gavin

Tropical Cyclone Gavin formed as a depression north of Fiji in early March, and was first named on 4 March. It then passed near the northwest of Viti Levu, Fiji's main island during 8-9 March, causing widespread damage (an estimated $20 million worth) and loss of life. Eighteen people died - 5 in Fiji, while a further 13 people were missing at sea and were presumed dead, including one New Zealander. 50,000 people lost their homes; several hundred thousand people lost their bread fruit trees and food crops; electricity and phone lines were blown over, and the country's communications relied on short-wave radio.

Short term AID was provided by several countries, including New Zealand. A New Zealand air force plane was sent to deliver important supplies such as food, medical supplies, tents and blankets, and to patrol the areas hardest hit by the cyclones. In the longer term, AID involved a housing rehabilitation program for villagers forced to shelter in sheltering in tent villages, schools, churches and community halls -- and the repair of public buildings.

Having caused chaos in Fiji, Cyclone Gavin moved southwards over the seas just northeast of New Zealand 11-13 March, bringing heavy rain and gales to the northeast of the North Island. On the 11th, heavy rain in parts of Northland, Coromandel Peninsula and Bay of Plenty caused flooding, mostly in areas exposed to the east. Heavy falls also affected Gisborne until the 13th, bringing floods, slips and road closures. Severe gales in parts of Gisborne and Bay of Plenty also caused damage: in Bay of Plenty, trees were downed and there were power disruptions due to arcing power-lines (overnight 11-12th); at Hicks Bay, 3 houses had their roofs lifted, while another had its walls removed (overnight 12-13th). Corn and grape crops in Gisborne were badly affected by the wet, windy conditions.

Activities:

Download a Copy of this worksheet, including blank maps here

From the above descriptions, complete the diagrams showing the impacts of Cyclone Gavin on Fiji and New Zealand.
View the Satellite Images of Tropical Cyclone Gavin. For each of the days listed on the worksheet, state the approx. latitude and Longitude of the eye of the cyclone. Plot these on the map provided. [Don't forget to give the map a title]
View the Sattlite images of Cyclone Gavin from March 7 to 9. Comment on any differences in the size and shape of the cloud pattern.
What happened to Cyclone Gavin as it passed towards - and over - New Zealand ? Use the image s from March 11 to 13 and Weather maps to help you answer this question. Suggest one reason for this.
View the map of Cyclone Gavin. Comment on the direction the cyclone travelled.
View the map of 1997 Tropical cyclones in the South-west Pacific. What is the most common direction of Tropical Cyclones in the South-west Pacific?
Compare the direction and distance travelled of Cyclone Gavin with the other Cyclones. Is its direction typical ? Did it travel longer or shorter than most cyclones ?

Material Used in this Unit has been developed from several sources, including

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