Tornadoes
Tornadoes are nature's most violent storms, with swirling winds that can top 300 miles per hour. There are about 800 tornadoes a year in the United States alone, more than anywhere else in the world. Although tornadoes don't usually last long themselves, it can take years to recover from the damage and destruction they create. These storms kill about 90 people a year in the U.S., and cause millions of dollars worth of damage. Scientists don't completely understand how or when a tornado is formed, but they hope to learn more. Using special tools, storm chasers measure tornadoes after tracking them down. They hope to someday predict exactly when and where tornadoes strike, to save more lives and give survivors a chance to rebuild.
