1.5 Weather Hazards and Climate Flashcards
Describe the Greenhouse Effect
use a description and diagram
The Greenhouse Effect is the effect by which short wavelength radiation, emitted by the sun, passes through the atmosphere and is largely absorbed by the Earth’s crust. However, some is reflected back out of the atmosphere. If this radiation, as it reaches the atmosphere, hits any greenhouse gasses, they will absorb this and re-emit it as further long wavelength radiation which can not pass through the atmosphere. Long wavelength radiation is also known as thermal radiation as it causes heat. In this way, greenhouse gasses create a blanket that surrounds the atmosphere keeping warmth trapped inside. (See Figure 1, Page 1 of older)
What is a Greenhouse gas
A gas which re-emits short wavelength radiation as long wavelength radiation. (i.e.: carbon dioxide, water vapour, methane, nitrous oxide, ozone)
Define Enhanced Greenhouse effect
The Enhanced Greenhouse effect is just the Greenhouse Effect enhanced by human activity (i.e.: burning fossil fuels). (See Figure 1, Page 1 of folder)
Define Thermal Expansion
Thermal expansion is the tendency of matter to change its shape, area, and volume in response to a change in temperature.
Define Quaternary Period
The Quaternary Period is a geologic time period that encompasses the most recent 2.6 million years — including the present day.
Define Climate Change
Climate change refers to significant changes in global temperature, precipitation, wind patterns and other measures of climate that occur over several decades or longer.
Define Interglacial Period
The Interglacial period is a period of relatively warmer weather between ice ages.
Define Glacial Period
The Glacial period is a period of relatively cooler weather that causes ice ages.
Define Eccentricity
Eccentricity are the changes to the Earth’s orbit causing greater or lesser differentiation between temperatures during different seasons. At times the orbit is more circular and at others it is more elliptical. (See Figure 2, Page 1 of folder)
Define Axial Tilt
Earth’s axial tilt actually oscillates between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees. The reason for this changing obliquity angle is that Earth’s axis also wobbles around itself. This wobble motion is called axial precession. Depending on how tilted towards the sun the Earth is, there can be more or less heat in certain areas, this occurs every 41, 000 years. (See Figure 3, Page 2 of folder)
Define Inter Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
The Inter Tropical Convergence Zone, or ITCZ, is a belt of low pressure which circles the Earth near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres come together.
Define Jet Streams
Jet streams are fast flowing, narrow, meandering air currents in the atmospheres usually where climatic cells meet.
Define Ocean Circulation
Ocean circulation is the large, connected system of water movements in the oceans. It involves both surface and deep currents.
Define Solar Radiation
Solar radiation is the radiant energy emitted by the sun.
Define Trade Winds
Trade winds are a wind blowing steadily towards the equator from the north-east in the northern hemisphere or the south-east in the southern hemisphere, especially at sea. (See Figure 4, Page 2 of folder)
Define Magnitude
Magnitude is the great size or extent of something.
Define Frequency
Frequency is the rate at which something occurs over a particular period of time or in a given sample.
Define Social Impacts
An social impact is the effect of an event on people or the society.
Define Economic Impacts
An economic impact is the effect of an event on money or the economy.
Define Environmental Impacts
An environmental impact is the effect of an event on the natural world.
Define Vulnerability
Vulnerability is the quality or state of being exposed to the possibility of being attacked or harmed, either physically or emotionally.
Define Meteorological Drought
Meteorological drought is when an area has less water than usual over a sustained period of time due to changes in the weather. (i.e: changing wind patterns)
Define Hydrological Drought
Hydrological drought is when an area has less water than usual over a sustained period of time due to changes in water patterns. (i.e.: less snow melting into rivers)
Define Storm Surge
The rising of the sea due to winds/pressure associated with a storm.