Hazardous Earth Flashcards
(21 cards)
What is the name for a cool period of time on earth?
Glacial period
What are the four natural causes of climate change?
Orbital Theory, Solar Activity, Volcanic Activity and Asteroid Collision
How has volcanic activity impacted upon the Earth’s climate in the past?
Causes global temperatures to drop as the ash fills the atmosphere and blocks the Sun’s rays
How do historical records provide evidence of past climate change?
Historical records such as paintings, newspaper articles and religious records may provide us with information about the past climate e.g. frost fairs on the River Thames
Give an example of a greenhouse gas
Methane or Carbon Dioxide
Name at least three human activities that produce greenhouse gases and enhance
the greenhouse effect.
Electricity production, transport, industry and agriculture
What are three pieces of evidence for human-induced climate change?
Global temperature records, rising sea levels, decline of Arctic sea ice, increased extreme weather events
What are the two reasons for global sea level rise?
Sea level rise is caused by melting glaciers and ice caps and thermal expansion
Identify at least three possible consequences of climate change.
loss of homes and agricultural land, stronger and more frequent tropical storms, longer and more frequent droughts, pests and diseases are more widespread, food and water supply problems
Why is it difficult to make projections for how much sea levels could rise by?
We can’t say for certain what the world population will be in 50-100 years time.
What are three pieces of evidence for natural climate change?
Tree Ring Analysis, Ice Core Analysis, Historical Sources
What climatic conditions would you associate with high pressure systems?
Dry/arid conditions – little to no rainfall because there is no opportunity for clouds to form
On a climate graph, what do the bars represent?
Precipitation
On a climate graph, what does the red line represent?
Temperature
What is the name of the process that causes the Earth’s tectonic plates to move?
Convection Currents
Explain two characteristics of a shield volcano.
Shield volcanoes form at divergent plate boundaries. They are low in height and
feature wide bases with gentle slopes (shaped like a shield) - this is due to the non-
viscous (thin and runny) lava which can travel over great distances before cooling
and solidifying. Eruptions tend to be frequent and non-violent because the magma has a lower gas content and a lower viscosity.
Explain two characteristics of a composite volcano.
Composite volcanoes form at convergent plate boundaries. They are typically
more cone-shaped and feature much steeper sides than shield volcanoes. Composite
volcanoes don’t erupt very often but they are very violent/explosive due to the magma having a high gas content and a high viscosity (thick and sticky).
What is a hotspot?
It is literally a ‘hot spot’ on the Earth’s surface, often found in the middle of a
tectonic plate e.g. Hawaii.
What is the name of the scale that earthquakes are measured on?
The moment-magnitude scale
What causes tsunamis?
- Underwater earthquakes caused by tectonic activity
How can the impact of earthquakes be reduced?
The 3 P’s - Prediction (currently very difficult to predict earthquakes), Planning
and Preparation (training emergency services, plan evacuation routes, have regular earthquake/tsunami drills in schools/workplaces, build earthquake-proof buildings)
