Our current studies grew out of an intuition I had 30 years ago when I
was a graduate student learning about chaos theory. A chaotic system is
one that appears to behave randomly but is, in fact, governed by rules.
It is also highly sensitive to initial conditions, so that seemingly
insignificant, arbitrary inputs can have profound effects that lead
quickly to unpredictable consequences. In the case of hurricanes, small
changes in such features as the ocean's temperature, the location of
the large-scale wind currents, or even the shape of the rain clouds can
strongly influence a hurricane's potential path and power. I was not
able to pursue these ideas back then. But in the past decade computer
simulation and remote-sensing technologies have advanced enough to renew
my interest in large-scale weather control.
1. What encouraged the writer to start researching hurricane control?
A. a first-hand experience of a hurricane
B. developments in computer technology
C. a request from the island of Kauai
D. the availability of public funding
2. How did the writer feel at the end of his team's first experiment?
A. confused by the amount of variation in the data obtained
B. relieved that their work had saved some lives
C. surprised that their interventions had had the intended effect
D. disappointed by the minimal temperature changes