Climate and Ocean Currents

Question 1

Definition of climate

Answer 1

average weather conditions at a location over a long period of time

Question 2

What two factors determine climate?

Answer 2

temperature precipitation

Question 3

One of 4 factors affecting climate- latitude

Answer 3

uneven heating from equator to poles

Question 4

One of 4 factors affecting climate- elevation

Answer 4

temperature drops the higher you elevation

Question 5

One of 4 factors affecting climate- distance from large bodies of water

Answer 5

oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal climates

Question 6

One of 4 factors affecting climate- ocean currents

Answer 6

warm currents warm coastal climates; cold currents cool coastal climates

Question 7

Climate zone- tropical

Answer 7

(0-25 degrees latitude) warm temps year round and high levels of precipitation

Question 8

Climate zone- desert (aria)

Answer 8

(25-40 degrees latitude) hot temps during the day and low levels of precipitation

Question 9

Climate zone- temperate

Answer 9

(40-60 degrees latitude) seasonal temps and moderate/seasonal precipitation

Question 10

Climate zone- polar

Answer 10

(60-90 degree latitude) cold temps year round and low levels of precipitation

Question 11

Type of climate change- El Nino

Answer 11

impact on global climate for 1-2 years

Question 12

Type of climate change- Volcanic eruptions

Answer 12

1-100s of years depending on size of eruption

Question 13

Type of climate change- meteor impact

Answer 13

Similar to vocanic eruptions

Question 14

Type of climate change- global warming

Answer 14

Human impact on atmosphere, could be 100s of years

Question 15

Type of climate change- Ice age

Answer 15

1000s of yrs

Question 16

Type of climate change- Continental drift

Answer 16

millions of yrs

Question 17

Surface currents influenced by…

Answer 17

Global winds

Question 18

Surface currents… (rise or sink and where)

Answer 18

Surface currents sink at the poles

Question 19

Relative speed of surface currents

Answer 19

fast

Question 20

Deep currents mainly influenced by…

Answer 20

temperature and salinity

Question 21

Describe the molecules in surface currents

Answer 21

Warm temp.—>Molecules spread apart—>Density decreases

Question 22

Describe the molecules in deep currents

Answer 22

Cold temp.—>molecules slow—>move closer—>density increased

Question 23

Deep currents… (rise or sink and where)

Answer 23

Deep currents rise at the equator

Question 24

Relative speed of deep currents

Answer 24

Slow

Question 25

What type of weather events can El Nino cause?

Answer 25

Rain (foods, South America), droughts (Indonesia Australia)

Question 26

Where is warm water usually located?

Answer 26

Western Pacific Ocean

Question 27

What happens to the winds during El Nino?

Answer 27

The trade winds in the South Pacific weaken and slow down, less warm tropical water is moved to Australia and Indonesia, causes temps to rise near South America

Question 28

How does El Nino affect upwelling?

Answer 28

Stops upwelling along the west coast of South America, no nutrients is brought up, disrupts the food chain

Question 29

What is El Nino's influence on global climate?

Answer 29

- Dry conditions in the Western Pacific (Australia and Indonesia) - Heavy rainfall in South America

Question 30

What are ocean currents influenced by?

Answer 30

The Earth's rotation and the position of the continents

Question 31

Approximate depth and length of a surface current?

Answer 31

Depth- Several 100 meters | Length- 1000s of kilometers

Question 32

What three factors control surface currents?

Answer 32

Global Winds Coriolis Effect Continental Deflections

Question 33

What circular direction do surface currents move in the southern and northern hemisphere?

Answer 33

North- Clockwise | South- Counterclockwise

Question 34

What happens when a surface current meets a continent?

Answer 34

They deflect, or change direction

Question 35

Where do cold and warm water currents begin?

Answer 35

Cold water- closer to poles | Warm water- near equator

Question 36

What is upwelling?

Answer 36

Winds move warm surface water away allowing cold, deep water to move up and replace it Brings nutrients and minerals to the surface, which feed Plankton

Question 37

What is the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt?

Answer 37

Continuous flow of surface and deep currents connect throughout the entire world

Question 38

What is an interglacial period?

Answer 38

Cycles of warm weather within ice ages

Question 39

Which climate zone is considered to be the best zone to live in because of its rainfall amounts and temperature ranges?

Answer 39

Temperate

Question 40

Which climate zone has the least temperature variation through the months of the year?

Answer 40

Tropical

Question 41

Which climate zone exists all because of high air pressure sinking to the Earth?

Answer 41

Desert/Arid

Question 42

Which zone never has the sun reach high above the horizon and is also a very dry climate?

Answer 42

Polar

Question 43

Gyre

Answer 43

Where several surface currents come together to form a circular pattern