Untitled Deck Flashcards
(39 cards)
What happens at the equator when the sun warms the Earth?
The air above the surface rises, creating a low pressure belt
This process leads to the formation of clouds and rain as the rising air cools and condenses.
What type of pressure belt is created at 30 degrees north and south of the equator?
A high pressure belt with cloudless skies and very low rainfall
This occurs as cool dry air sinks in these regions.
What are trade winds?
Surface winds blowing towards the equator
They blow from the southeast in the southern hemisphere and from the northeast in the northern hemisphere.
What are westerlies?
Surface winds blowing towards the pole
They blow from the northwest in the southern hemisphere and from the southwest in the northern hemisphere.
What occurs at 60 degrees north and south of the equator?
Warmer surface winds meet cold air from the poles, creating low pressure and frontal rain
This process results in some air moving back towards the equator and the rest towards the poles.
What is the Ferrel cell responsible for?
Bringing warm air north towards the UK, located 30-60 degrees north and south of the equator
It plays a role in mid-latitude weather patterns.
What is the Hadley cell responsible for?
Storms and desert belts north and south of the equator, located 0-30 degrees north and south of the equator
It is crucial for tropical weather systems.
What defines the polar cell?
Brings cold air towards the equator, located 60 degrees north and south of the equator
This cell influences polar climates.
What is the Coriolis effect?
The deflection of winds caused by the Earth’s rotation
This results in winds flowing in a curved path instead of a straight line.
Where do jet streams form?
At the boundaries of main circulation cells, particularly between the polar and Hadley cells
They are influenced by significant temperature differences.
What are ocean currents?
Large scale movements of water that transfer heat energy from warmer to cooler regions
They are driven by wind and temperature differences.
How do surface ocean currents operate?
Driven by the movement of wind across the top of the water
They help transfer heat away from the equator.
What happens when water freezes at the poles?
Surrounding water becomes saltier and denser, causing it to sink
This creates a current as warmer water flows in to replace it.
What leads to arid areas?
Regular high pressure conditions that result in little rainfall each year
High daytime temperatures are also characteristic of these regions.
What is the InterTropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)?
A permanent zone of low pressure near the equator between two Hadley cells
It experiences high rainfall and is characterized by intense solar radiation.
What occurs in the ITCZ due to rising moisture?
Formation of thunder clouds and heavy rainfall, especially over land
This region typically supports tropical rainforests and diverse ecosystems.
What is eccentricity in relation to orbital changes?
Every 100,000 years, the shape of the orbit around the sun becomes different.
More circular = interglacial period; more elliptical = glacial period.
How does axial tilt affect the Earth’s climate?
Every 40,000 years, the tilt of the Earth influences temperature; leaning away leads to glacial periods, while leaning towards the sun leads to interglacial periods.
E.g., Earth tilting towards the sun promotes warming.
What is precession in the context of Earth’s rotation?
The wobbling of the Earth as it rotates, affecting climate by sometimes wobbling towards or away from the sun.
Wobbling towards the sun leads to interglacial periods, while away leads to glacial periods.
What are the effects of volcanism on climate?
Volcanoes release carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, trapping heat and affecting short-term climate changes.
They also eject ash, which can cool the Earth’s surface by reflecting sunlight.
How do asteroid collisions influence climate?
Asteroids can throw dust into the atmosphere, preventing sunlight from reaching the Earth’s surface and causing global temperatures to fall.
E.g., meteor strikes can lead to mass extinctions.
What role do sunspots play in climate variations?
Sunspots are hotter areas on the sun; more sunspots correspond to warmer Earth, while fewer sunspots lead to cooler conditions.
The sun’s energy output changes in cycles.
What do tree rings indicate about climate?
The thickness of tree rings reflects climate conditions; wider rings indicate warmer, wetter climates, while narrower rings indicate colder, drier conditions.
