Lec 3- enviro variation Flashcards
Climate
causes different environments
- round earth
- rotation
- tilt at diff angle twd earth (23 tilted)
- orbits
geography of earth
almost round and dived into
latitudinal lines (W and E = parallel)
longitudinal (N and S = meridians)
Equator
0 degree
widest point
hottest
northern hemisphere
latitudes north of equator
southern hemisphere
latitudes south of equator
North pole
90 degrees latitude
arctic circle
66 degrees latitude
34 degrees N
- sun never sets 1 day of the yr
Tropic of Cancer
turning point
23 degrees 26 degrees N
summer solstice
Tropic of Capricorn
23 degrees 26 degrees S
winter solstice
Antarctic circle
66 degrees latitude
34 degrees S
South pole
90 degrees latitude
south
Sun
main driver of climate
w/o sun means no life exists
energy shapes biotic and abiotic
variation based on position
weather
day to day state of atmosphere
over span of days
- rain, snow, wind
climate
long term avgs of weather
historical record
- quantitative climate properties- avg sum of precipitation per yr or avg temp per yr
- qualitative- temperate
Solar angle of incidence
- diff parts of planet receive diff amounts of solar energy
- depends on latitude and associated angle of incidence
- equator around 90 degrees solar angle (straight overhead)
- energy hits smaller surface compared to higher latitudes
- distance b/w sun and earth is shorter
- poles less that 90 degrees (never overhead)
- energy scattered across larger surface compared to equator
- distance b/w sun and earth is longer
what drives major climatic systems?
solar angle of incidence
- diff in solar angle of incidence resulting in diff amounts of solar radiation received
global air circulation
uneven distribution of solar energy per unit area across latitude acts like a motor that sustains major air circulation across planet
Hadley Cells
- form due to warm air rising, cooling and forming condensation (rain) at equator
- 30 degrees latitude. airmasses descend, warm up and absorb moisture
- close to equator
- Monsoons
- deserts and rainforests
Ferrel Cells
30-60 degrees N and S
- not maintained by warming and cooling effects
- caused by strong energy of other cells
- YEG @ 53 degrees
Polar Cells
- form due to warming and cooling of air
- air masses rise at about 60 degrees and cool down closer to poles where they descend as very cold air
Coriolis effect and winds
above earths surface
- atmospheric masses are move at a tilt bc of Coriolis effect
N: deflected to the right of direction of travel (looking at flat map: down and to left)
S: deflected to the left
(looking at map: up and to the left)
Northeast trade winds
b/w 0-30 degrees N
- b/w equator and tropic of cancer
- from hadley
Southeast trade winds
b/w 0-30 degrees S
- b/w equator and tropic of capricorn
Westerlies
winds
30-60 degrees N and S
