1A (Hazardous Earth - Climate)

Question 1

Describe the process of atmospheric circulation [3]

Answer 1

Solar radiation heats the ground up [1]
Warm air rises into the atmosphere and transfers heat. [1]
The air then cools, becoming denser and sinks [1]

Question 2

Name the 3 cells that atmospheric circulation happens in [3]

Answer 2

Hadley [1]
Polar [1]
Ferrel [1]

Question 3

What is the Coriolis effect? [1]

Answer 3

Deflection of air movement by the Earth’s rotation [1]

Question 4

Explain how areas with a high atmospheric pressure become arid and dry [4]

Answer 4

Intense sun radiation [1] which therefore increases temperature [1]
Dry air sinks on the surface [1] therefore blocking moist winds from blowing inland [1]

Question 5

Areas with low atmospheric pressure have…… [1]

Answer 5

High rainfall [1]

Question 6

Give 3 natural causes of global climate change [3]

Answer 6

Solar variation [1]
Volcanism [1]
Surface impact [1]

Question 7

Explain how surface impact caused climate change [3]

Answer 7

Large cosmic material impacts the surface [1]. This leads to large volumes of dust into the atmosphere [1] therefore blocking solar radiation and causing glacial periods. [1]

Question 8

Give 3 pieces of evidence of natural climate change [3]

Answer 8

Ice cores [1]
Tree rings [1]
Historical sources [1]

Question 9

Explain how ice cores show evidence of natural climate change [3]

Answer 9

As ice forms, tiny bubbles of air freeze into the ice. [1] CO2 levels can be measured from the trapped air [1], therefore scientists can reconstruct climate from the past. [1]

Question 10

What is the enhanced greenhouse effect? [2]

Answer 10

Trapping of heat radiation on Earth [1] by excess greenhouse gases from human activity [1]

Question 11

Give 4 human activities which cause climate change [4]

Answer 11

Energy [1]
Industry [1]
Transport [1]
Farming [1]

Question 12

Give 3 consequences of climate change [3]

Answer 12

Increased sea level [1]
Increased temperatures [1]
Extreme weather events [1]

Question 13

Explain how an increase in sea level rise can cause damage to the Earth [2]

Answer 13

Increased sea levels means more flooding [1], therefore more coastal areas will be destroyed/fully submerged [1]

Question 14

Explain how tropical cyclones are formed [4]

Answer 14

Warm, moist air rises from the sea [1]
High banks of swirling clouds are formed [1]
The cyclone picks up speed, which forms the eye and eye wall. [1]
The cyclone continues to grow and become quicker. [1]

Question 15

Give 2 factors which must be present for a cyclone to form [3]

Answer 15

Moist, warm air above 26.5 Degrees Celsius [1]
Formation away from the equator for the Coriolis effect to occur. [1]
Winds converging at the ocean surface [1]

Question 16

Identify 3 ways in which a tropical cyclone can dissipate. [3]

Answer 16

When it reaches land and loses warm water energy [1]
Moving into areas of colder water [1]
Running into other weather systems blowing in different directions [1]

Question 17

Describe 5 hazards that can impact a population after a tropical cyclone. [5]

Answer 17

High winds [1]
Intense rainfall [1]
Storm surges [1]
Coastal flooding [1]
Landslides [1]

Question 18

Explain how high winds can affect a population [2]

Answer 18

High winds can cause infrastructure damage [1], therefore leaving the population homeless [1]

Question 19

Describe 2 physical, social and economic vulnerabilities some countries may have [6]

Answer 19

Physical:
- Located near the coast [1]
- Low relief (Storm surges) [1]
Social:
- Social inequalities between races [1]
- Age and gender [1]
Economic:
- Access to weather prediction tech. [1]
- Coastal defences present [1]

Question 20

Give 3 ways in which a country can predict/prepare for a tropical cyclone [3]

Answer 20

Measuring atmospheric pressure [1]
Satellite tracking/radar [1]
Communicating with the population [1]

Question 21

Give 3 ways a country can respond to a tropical cyclone [3]

Answer 21

Rescue workers/ search and rescue [1]
Food/clean water/medical care for injured people [1]
Setting up shelters/repair to allow quicker recovery times.[1]

Question 22

Give and describe 3 methods of preparation used in Hurricane Katrina [3]

Answer 22

Monitoring cyclone with technology and forecasting [1] issuing warnings to allow people to prepare [1]
Evacuation of the population of New Orleans [1] to reduce loss of life [1]
Superdome used as shelter area for people who couldn’t leave,[1] therefore allowing people to seek shelter and medical attention if needed [1]

Question 23

What is the Milankovitch Cycle? [2]

Answer 23

Long term change in the Earth’s orbit [1] that causes natural climate change [1]

Question 24

Explain how solar variation can cause natural climate change [2]

Answer 24

The amount of radiation from the sun will vary [1], therefore this can cause glacial or interglacial periods [1]

Question 25

Give 3 pieces of evidence showing a change in climate [3]

Answer 25

Temperature rise [1]
Sea level rise [1]
Declining ice levels [1]

Question 26

Which scale is used to measure the severity of a tropical cyclone? [1]

Which factor is measured? [1]

Answer 26

Saffir - Simpson Scale [1]

Wind speed [1]

Question 27

Describe and explain 2 methods which were used to reduce the impact of Hurricane Katrina [6]

Answer 27

Levee building [1]
* Increasing the height of floodplains and riverbanks to allow more water to flow without spilling [1]
* However, not high enough due to large storm surges that followed [1]

Evacuation [1]
* Moving a large population out of New Orleans to prevent loss of life [1]
* However, was very slow as roads became congested with cars [1]

Question 28

Describe Hurricane Katrina [4]

Answer 28

Category 3 hurricane [1]
Costed $100 billion [1]
1800 deaths [1]
South America (New Orleans) was hit [1]