Tropical cyclones are some of the most powerful storms on Earth capable of shredding apart buildings, flooding the coast with a tsunamilike storm surge and causing a significant risk to lives and property. But how similar is a cyclone to a typhoon or a hurricane?

The three are virtually identical, but the biggest difference boils down to one factor: geography.

Difference between hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones

Hurricanes, typhoons and cyclones all look and act the same, with maximum winds of at least 74 mph (64 knots). The key difference is what part of the world they are located:

•Hurricanes: North Atlantic, eastern North Pacific Ocean, central North Pacific Ocean, and on rare occasions, the south Atlantic Ocean

•Typhoons: Western Pacific Ocean

•Cyclones: western South Pacific

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