Hurricanes are among the most powerful storms on Earth. They bring winds, rain, and storm surges that can destroy buildings, down trees, and endanger human lives. Each year, hurricanes cause billions of dollars worth of damage in the United States alone.

Scientists are studying evidence from hurricanes that hit several hundred years ago to learn more about how they formed and develop in our oceans. The study of hurricanes can help us better understand future storms and their effects on our ocean ecosystems.

The first ingredient for hurricanes is the presence of warm water in the ocean. Hurricanes need a large surface area of water to draw heat energy and moisture from the ocean floor. Warmer global temperatures mean more warm water, which allows more hurricanes to form.

Another ingredient is a lack of strong vertical wind shear. When air currents in the upper atmosphere disrupt a hurricane’s structure, it weakens and loses strength. A third ingredient is an unobstructed path across the Atlantic. A hurricane will not be able to maintain its strength and direction when it is moving over land or through an obstacle such as the Bermuda Triangle.

As hurricanes pass over a coast they churn the ocean’s waters, cooling surface temperatures and mixing stagnant water that can harbor bacteria that create the red tide that occurs along the Gulf of Mexico and West Coast. Winds and waves also carry sand from the beach into other parts of the coastline, which helps rebuild barrier islands. In addition, tropical systems can blow spores and seeds farther inland than normal, which can help plants that have been damaged by fires or urbanization.