Kids: How far below the ocean surface does a hurricane go?
Hurricane Andrew heads for Louisiana on August 25, 1992, after severely damaging South Florida. Credit: NOAA and the NASA Goddard Laboratory for Atmospheres
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How far below the surface does a hurricane affect the ocean? Do the fish notice what’s going on?
Out at sea, a hurricane churns just the surface of the ocean. Fish that live near the surface do feel a little turbulence, but research suggests that they may avoid the washing-machine motion by swimming a little deeper. In general, a hurricane is no big deal for a fish out at sea.
In coastal areas, on the other hand, hurricanes have more impact on fish. For example, sometimes a hurricane blows seawater toward shore. That makes the coastal water more salty than normal – which can attract fish that usually live in the open ocean. Other times, a hurricane brings heavy rain and fresh water floods the coast. This fresh water is less dense than the salt water, so it floats on seawater like oil on vinegar. The density difference prevents oxygen from mixing into the salty bottom layer. Bottom-dwelling fish may feel stressed – they can develop sores and lesions, or other signs of disease.
Storm surges can also break up coral, tear up beds of seagrass, or smother these habitats with silt. So after a hurricane rips through, fish – just like humans – may have a hard time finding food and shelter.
