Ch14 Key Terms

Question 1

climatology

Answer 1

study of climate

Question 2

El Niño

Answer 2

band of warm ocean water off the western coast of South America

Question 3

greenhouse effect

Answer 3

natural heating of Earth’s surface due to certain gases

Question 4

global warming

Answer 4

Increase in global temperatures because of the increase in certain gases

Question 5

ice ages

Answer 5

period of extensive glacial coverage

Question 6

Maunder minimum

Answer 6

period of very low sunspot activity occurring between 1645 - 1716

Question 7

normal

Answer 7

The standard value of rainfall, wind speed, temperature, etc for a location

Question 8

polar zones

Answer 8

Areas on Earth’s surface where sunlight strikes at a low angle

Question 9

season

Answer 9

Short-term periods of weather due to tilt of Earths axis

Question 10

temperate zones

Answer 10

Areas with moderate temperatures between 23.5 degrees and 66.5 degrees north and south of the Equator

Question 11

tropics

Answer 11

The area between 23.5 North and South that is generally warm year-round

Question 12

microclimate

Answer 12

A climate that is different from its Regional climate

Question 13

heat island

Answer 13

A climate that is warmer than its surrounding rural climate

Question 14

Köppen classification

Answer 14

System based on precipitation and temperature monthly averages