14 DAY TRIAL // Scientists from Israel applied for a patent that they say could reduce the destructive power of hurricanes by injecting smoke in the lower layers of a forming storm. Theoretically, this could reduce the intensity of winds and undermine the integrity of the storm's inner "eye." Ever since Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, U.S. authorities and other national governments have been struggling to find a way of preventing such natural disasters from ever occurring again.
Researchers working at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem have analyzed the way hurricanes are formed over warm waters and came up with a solution to the problem of heavy wind and significant rainfall. They say that, in order to prevent warm water from evaporating and being drawn into the storm, where it turns into rain water, smoke has to be "injected" at the base of the storm.
Injected isn't really a suitable term for the process, seeing as how the team says that approximately 10 cargo planes of smoke are necessary for any kind of effect to be visible. However, once the smoke is delivered, it will virtually "trap" the water molecules and confine them at much lower altitudes than they need to form rain. Eventually, these newly-formed water structures make their way either to higher altitudes, where they freeze, or to the edge of the storm, where the energy they give off destabilizes the center of the storm.
This means that the hurricane will have less kinetic energy to disperse, which implies softer winds and less rain. Also, the circular forces that uproot trees and homes will be severely diminished. Although tropical storms usually look very frightening, they need a very fragile balance of forces in order to expand and move. Once some of these forces are tampered with, the whole ensemble could collapse or become harmless.
So far, the Israeli team has only tested their theory on computer models, but live tests are scheduled to take place when the next large hurricane forms. If their idea works practically, countries such as the U.S. and Japan could finally employ some efficient means of limiting casualties and damages, although some side effects may occur.