Heat Dome - Definition, Formation, Effects and Prevention | UPSC Notes

Unraveling the Mystery of Heat Domes

• Heat domes are essentially high-pressure systems that trap hot air, resulting in prolonged periods of heat and dry weather, potentially leading to dangerous heat waves, droughts, and wildfires.
• Climatic changes have been linked to the increased occurrence and severity of heat domes.
• The formation of a heat dome occurs when a high-pressure system forms a 'dome' of hot air, trapping it for extended periods.
• This phenomenon can lead to severe heat waves, droughts, and wildfires, posing significant threats to human life and the environment.

The Formation of a Heat Dome

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• Heat domes are formed when a high-pressure system in the atmosphere traps hot air underneath it for a significant duration.
• This phenomenon can occur due to a variety of meteorological conditions.
• Heat domes are more prone to form in regions with dry and hot air, and vast land masses, such as deserts or plains, where the heat can accumulate and be trapped by high-pressure systems in the atmosphere.
• The increasing frequency and intensity of heat domes are also attributed to climatic changes.

The Global Impact of Heat Domes

• Heat domes can have adverse effects on human health, specifically impacting the elderly, children, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
• It can trigger heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and organ damage, which can be fatal in some cases.
• Extreme heat can make breathing difficult and put immense pressure on the heart and lungs, particularly for individuals with conditions like asthma or heart disease.
• Heat waves have been linked to an increased incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and respiratory diseases.
• Heat domes can also cause infrastructural damage to buildings and roads, particularly if they were not built to withstand such extreme conditions.

Mitigating the Impacts of Heat Domes

• While it's impossible to entirely prevent the formation of heat domes, there are measures that can be taken to alleviate their effects and decrease their frequency and severity.
• This could be achieved by reducing our emission of greenhouse gases , increasing our reliance on renewable energy sources, and improving the design and materials of infrastructure to withstand extreme heat.

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