Ted Fujita

Ted Fujita
Tetsuya Theodore Fujita

Born October 23, 1920(1920-10-23)
Kitakyūshū, Japan
Died November 19, 1998(1998-11-19) (aged 78)
Chicago, Illinois, USA
Residence Japan, United States
Citizenship Japan, United States (1968)
Fields Meteorology
Institutions University of Chicago
Alma mater Kyushu Institute of Technology (B.S., 1943)
Tokyo University (Sc.D., 1950)
Known for tornadoes, microbursts, mesoscale meteorology, Fujita scale

Tetsuya Theodore "Ted" Fujita (藤田 哲也 Fujita Tetsuya?, October 23, 1920 – November 19, 1998) was a prominent severe storms researcher. His research at the University of Chicago on severe thunderstorms, tornadoes, hurricanes and typhoons revolutionized knowledge of each.

Contents

Biography

Fujita was born in Kitakyūshū, Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. He studied at Kyushu Institute of Technology and was an associate professor there until 1953 when he was invited to the University of Chicago after a professor there became interested in his research.

Overview

Fujita is recognized as the discoverer of downbursts and microbursts and also developed the Fujita scale,[1] which differentiates tornado intensity and links tornado damage with wind speed.

Fujita's best-known contributions were in tornado research—he was often called "Mr. Tornado" by his associates and by the media.[2] Much of what we now know about tornadoes was either discovered or advanced by his efforts. In addition to the Fujita scale, he was a pioneer in the development of tornado overflight and damage survey techniques, which he used to study and map [3] the paths of the 2 tornadoes that hit Lubbock, Texas on May 11, 1970. He established the value of photometric analysis of tornado pictures and films, to establish wind speeds at various heights at the surface of tornado vortices.[4] Fujita was also the first to widely study the meteorological phenomenon of the downburst, which can pose serious danger to aircraft. As a result of his work, pilot training worldwide routinely uses techniques he pioneered to provide instruction to students.[5]

In another major addition to tornado knowledge, he was instrumental in developing the concept of multiple vortex tornadoes, which feature multiple small funnels (suction vortices) rotating within a larger parent cloud. His work established that, far from being rare events as was previously believed, most powerful tornadoes were composed of multiple vortices. He also advanced the concept of mini-swirls in intensifying tropical cyclones.

A master of mesoscale analysis throughout his career, it was his independent development of advanced techniques as a young scientist in Japan that prompted Horace Byers to invite him to the University of Chicago upon overviewing his work. He continued to advance mesoscale meteorology with a keen ability to glean details and synthesize vast information in developing revolutionary theories.

The American Meteorological Society’s (AMS) symposium held in January of 2000 honored the life work of Fujita.[6] Usually, these symposia are organized posthumously, but of such great importance was the work of Fujita, this one was approved in October of 1998 by the AMS Council while he was still alive, although he died one month later.

References

  1. ^ Fujita, T.T. 1971. Proposed Characterization of Tornadoes and Hurricanes by Area and Intensity. Satellite and Mesometeorology Research Paper 91, Department of Geophysical Sciences, University of Chicago, Chicago, Il.
  2. ^ USA Today 2005-03-16
  3. ^ [1]
  4. ^ McDonald, J.R. 2001. T. Theodore Fujita: His Contribution to Tornadic Knowledge Through Damage Documentation and the Fujita Scale. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 82(1): 63-72.
  5. ^ Wilson, J.W., and R.M. Wakimoto. 2001. The Discovery of the Downburst: T.T. Fujita’s Contribution. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 82(1): 49-62.
  6. ^ Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society 82(1)
  • Fujita, T. T., 1970b. The Lubbock tornadoes: a study of suction spots: Weatherwise, v. 23(4), p. 160-173. [published August, 1970] (first issued as SMRP 88)
  • Shanahan, J. A., and Fujita, T. T., 1971c. The Lubbock tornadoes and Fujita suction vortices. Presented at October 18-22, 1971, ASCE Annual and National Environmental Engineering meeting, St. Louis. [October, 1971]
  • Fujita, T. T., 1976g. Photogrammetric analysis of tornadoes, F. History of suction vortices, in Peterson, R. E., ed., Proceedings of the Symposium on Tornadoes, Assessment of Knowledge and Implications for Man: Institute for Disaster Research, Texas Technological University, Lubbock, p. 78-88. [June, 1976] (also issued as SMRP 140e)
  • Fujita, T. T., and Forbes, G. S., 1976f. Photogrammetric analysis of tornadoes, D. Three scales of motion involving tornadoes, in Peterson, R. E., ed., Proceedings of the Symposium on Tornadoes, Assessment of Knowledge and Implications for Man: Institute for Disaster Research, Texas Technological University, Lubbock, p. 53-57. [June, 1976] (also issued as SMRP 140c)

Further reading

  • Grazulis, Thomas P. (1994). A Guide To: Tornado Video Classics II: The Magnificent Puzzle. The Tornado Project of Environmental Films, St. Johnsbury, VT. p. 37-78
  • Rosenfeld, Jeff (May/Jun 1999). "Mr. Tornado: The life and career of Ted Fujita". Weatherwise, pp 18

Memoirs

  • Fujita, Tetsuya Theodore (1992). Memoirs of an Effort to Unlock the Mystery of Severe Storms. WRL Research Paper Number 239.

External links



Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Fujita Tetsuya — Tetsuya Theodore Fujita Tetsuya Theodore Fujita (japanisch: 藤田哲也 Fujita Tetsuya; * 23. Oktober 1920 in Kitakyushu; † 19. November 1998 in Chicago) war einer der wichtigsten Sturmforscher des 20. Jahrhunderts. Auf ihn gehen dabei wesentliche… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tetsuya Theodore Fujita — Tetsuya Théodore Fujita Thetsuya Théodore Fijuta Tetsuya Théodore Fujita (藤田哲也 23 octobre 1920 19 novembre 1998) était un scientifique japonais du XXe siècle qui contribua grandement à l étude des phénomènes météorologiques tels que les …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Tetsuya Théodore Fujita — Naissance 23 octobre 1920 Kitakyushu (  Japon) Décès …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Enhanced Fujita Scale — The Enhanced Fujita Scale, or EF Scale, is the scale for rating the strength of tornadoes in the United States estimated via the damage they cause. Implemented in place of the Fujita scale introduced in 1971 by Ted Fujita, it began operational… …   Wikipedia

  • Tetsuya Theodore Fujita — (japanisch: 藤田哲也 Fujita Tetsuya; * 23. Oktober 1920 in Kitakyushu; † 19. November 1998 in Chicago) war einer der wichtigsten Sturmforscher des 20. Jahrhunderts. Auf ihn gehen dabei wesentliche Anteile des aktuellen meteorologischen Kenntnisstands …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Tetsuya Fujita — Tetsuya Theodore “Ted” Fujita (藤田 哲也 Fujita Tetsuya, 23 de octubre de 1920 al 19 de noviembre de 1998) fue un investigador de tormentas severas del siglo XX. Nació en Kitakyūshū, en la prefectura de Fukuoka (Japón), estudió en el Instituto… …   Wikipedia Español

  • Gregory S. Forbes — Dr. Gregory S. Forbes Born August 22, 1950 Residence Atlanta, Georgia, United States Citizenship …   Wikipedia

  • November 1989 tornado outbreak — Note: the following text and pictures were adapted from public domain National Weather Service documents. See references. November 1989 Tornado Outbreak The strong F4 tornado struck Huntsville, Alabama on November 15, 1989, killing 21 people and… …   Wikipedia

  • Severe weather terminology (United States) — This article describes the United States National Weather Service (NWS) severe weather terminology. The NWS defines precise meanings for nearly all its weather terms. This article describes NWS terminology and related NWS weather scales. Some… …   Wikipedia

  • List of Japanese Americans — The following is a list of notable Japanese Americans who have made significant contributions to the United States, or have appeared in the news numerous times: ListArts and architecture* Tadashi Asoma, a contemporary art painter;in the… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”