METR 2603 Quiz 6

Roughly how many telephone-related lightning deaths occur annually in the US?

1 to 3

For this question please refer to Uman p. 112, Figure 7.1. During the period 1959-1996, the percentage of lightning deaths that occurred in boating, fishing, and water related situations was about

13%

For this question please refer to Uman p. 112, Figure 7.1. During the period 1959-1996, the percentage of lightning deaths that occurred under trees was about

18%

For this question please refer to Uman p. 112, Figure 7.1. During the period 1959-1996, the percentage of lightning deaths that occurred in open fields, ball parks, and other parks was about

28%

For this question please refer to Uman p. 112, Figure 7.1. During the period 1960-1996, the percentage of lightning injuries that occurred in open fields, ball parks and other parks was about

28%

According to Storm Data, the number of individuals injured by lightning in the US annually is

300

According to Storm Data, the average number of lightning deaths that have occurred per year during the period 1966-1995 in the US is

85

For this question please refer to Uman p. 116, Table 7.2. The state with the lowest per capita injury rate over the period 1960-1990 is

Alaska

It is unsafe to touch or help individuals who have been struck by lightning

False

Victims of direct lightning strikes are always seriously burned.

False

For this question please refer to Uman p. 114, Table 7.1. The state ranked 14th in fatalities over the period 1959-1994 is

Oklahoma

For this question please refer to Uman p. 114, Table 7.1. The state ranked 14th in injuries over the period 1959-1994 is

Oklahoma

For this question please refer to Uman p. 116, Table 7.2. The state with the 6th highest per capita damage rate over the period 1960-1990 is

Oklahoma

For this question please refer to Uman p. 116, Table 7.2. The state with the 7th highest per capita fatality rate over the period 1960-1990 is

Oklahoma

For this question please refer to Uman p. 114, Table 7.1. The state ranked highest in damage reports over the period 1959-1994 is

Pennsylvania

For this question please refer to Uman p. 116, Table 7.2. The state with the highest per capita damage rate over the period 1960-1990 is

South Dakota

Uman listed ways in which humans can be killed or injured by lightning. Which of the ways listed is NOT one of them?

The electromagnetic radiation of a nearby strike

Lightning without continuing current can cause fires.

True

Uman says that tree protection serves to save trees from damage and to reduce risks to humans, animals and structures nearby

True

When inside a building during a lightning storm you should avoid taking a shower, washing hands, doing dishes.

True

When outside during a lightning storm you should avoid isolated trees.

True

What fraction of trees that are struck by lightning are killed?

a few

It would appear that lightning strikes with continuing currents are likely to cause forest fires. What is the duration of continuing current Uman says it takes a ignite woody fuels?

about 0.1 second

The NFPA recommends protection of trees that are within 3 meters of a structure. Why?

all of the above (a side flash might occur) (the tree could catch fire which could spread to the structure) (the tree could explode)

What are the damage characteristics of rough-barked evergreens struck by lightning?

bark removed in long narrow strips

What are the damage characteristics of smooth barked deciduous trees by lightning?

bark torn off in large patches or sheets

How may lightning have played a role in the existence of the tall grass prairies of the Great Plains?

by setting fires that make it favorable for grasses and discouraging for trees

According to Uman, the primary cause of death and injury to humans is

cardiopulmonary arrest

According to Uman, the second-ranked cause of death and injury to humans is

damage to the central nervous system

The fraction of lightning deaths and injuries that occur indoors is

only a few percent

Protection of trees is done in much the same way as protection of structures, except that

the lightning current has to be directed away from the major root system

Which of the following is not listed as a factor in the risk of lightning injury?

the shape of the structure

Positive CG flashes are prime candidates for setting forest fires because

they almost always have long continuing currents