Geography grade 9 Flashcards
(20 cards)
Define “weather”
day-to-day atmospheric conditions including temperature, humidity, precipitation and wind
define “climate”
long-term average of weather patterns in a region over an extended time period
define “high pressure”
an area where the atmospheric pressure is higher than the surrounding regions, clear calm weather
define “low pressure”
an area where the atmospheric pressure is lower than the surrounding regions, often associated with cloudy, rainy or stormy weather
types of the rainfall
conventional rainfall
orogrpahic/relief rainfall
frontal rainfall
conventional rainfall
when the sun heats the ground causing air to rise, cools, condenses then forming rainfall - typically in tropical areas
orographic/relief rainfall
when moist air is forced to rise over mountains, cools and releases air on windward side - side which faces incoming wind
frontal rainfall
when warm moist air meets cold air causing the arm wait to rise and cool leading too rain
what process does every rainfall do
Cools - condenses - rains
it is influenced by the atomspheric conditions
factors affecting climate
- latitude - effects temperature (closer to equator = warmer)
- altitude - higher altitude = colder
- distance from the sun
- ocean currents
- wind and air masses
- relief (mountains)
Causes of hurricanes
- warm ocean water
- moist air
- when warm air rises it creates low pressure area which intensifies the storm
- ocean MUST be 26+
Impacts of hurricanes
- severe flooding
- high wind
- damage in infrastructure, homes and ecosystems
Results of impacts of hurricanes
- loss of life
- displacement
- economic disruption
Causes of tornadoes
- form when warms air meets cold, dry air creating instability in atmosphere
- leading to : strong wind currents, rotation
impacts of tornadoes
- extreme ends destroying trees power lines etc.
- leads too: property damage, injuries, loss of life
Natural greenhouse effect
When gasses like CO2 methane and water vapour trap heat in earths atmosphere- keeping the planet warm enough to support life
Forces greenhouse effect
CAUSED BY HUMAN ACTIVITY
example - fossil fuels, deforestation- which increases concentration of greenhouse gases - leading to additional warming and climate change
impacts of climate change
Natural - slow charges too factors like volcanic eruptions
forced - rapid changes from human activities causing extreme weather risking sea levels and ecosystem disruption
energy budget of climate change
natural - balance of incoming solar energy outing heat affected by natural factors
forced - human activities increases green house gasses trapping more heat disruptions the energy balance causing global warming
climate change or global warming
climate change - some climates could get colder due to forced and natural effects over extended periods
global warming - tallis about long periods of time
