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Science > Climate and Ocean Currents > Flashcards

Climate and Ocean Currents Flashcards

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1
Q

Definition of climate

A

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

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2
Q

What two factors determine climate?

A

temperature precipitation

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3
Q

One of 4 factors affecting climate- latitude

A

uneven heating from equator to poles

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4
Q

One of 4 factors affecting climate- elevation

A

temperature drops the higher you elevation

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5
Q

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

A

oceans hold their heat longer creating mild coastal climates

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6
Q

One of 4 factors affecting climate- ocean currents

A

warm currents warm coastal climates; cold currents cool coastal climates

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7
Q

Climate zone- tropical

A

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

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8
Q

Climate zone- desert (aria)

A

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

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9
Q

Climate zone- temperate

A

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

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10
Q

Climate zone- polar

A

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

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11
Q

Type of climate change- El Nino

A

impact on global climate for 1-2 years

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12
Q

Type of climate change- Volcanic eruptions

A

1-100s of years depending on size of eruption

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13
Q

Type of climate change- meteor impact

A

Similar to vocanic eruptions

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14
Q

Type of climate change- global warming

A

Human impact on atmosphere, could be 100s of years

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15
Q

Type of climate change- Ice age

A

1000s of yrs

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16
Q

Type of climate change- Continental drift

A

millions of yrs

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17
Q

Surface currents influenced by…

A

Global winds

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18
Q

Surface currents… (rise or sink and where)

A

Surface currents sink at the poles

19
Q

Relative speed of surface currents

A

fast

20
Q

Deep currents mainly influenced by…

A

temperature and salinity

21
Q

Describe the molecules in surface currents

A

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

22
Q

Describe the molecules in deep currents

A

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

23
Q

Deep currents… (rise or sink and where)

A

Deep currents rise at the equator

24
Q

Relative speed of deep currents

A

Slow

25
Q

What type of weather events can El Nino cause?

A

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

26
Q

Where is warm water usually located?

A

Western Pacific Ocean

27
Q

What happens to the winds during El Nino?

A

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

28
Q

How does El Nino affect upwelling?

A

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

29
Q

What is El Nino’s influence on global climate?

A
  • Dry conditions in the Western Pacific (Australia and Indonesia)
  • Heavy rainfall in South America
30
Q

What are ocean currents influenced by?

A

The Earth’s rotation and the position of the continents

31
Q

Approximate depth and length of a surface current?

A

Depth- Several 100 meters

Length- 1000s of kilometers

32
Q

What three factors control surface currents?

A

Global Winds
Coriolis Effect
Continental Deflections

33
Q

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

A

North- Clockwise

South- Counterclockwise

34
Q

What happens when a surface current meets a continent?

A

They deflect, or change direction

35
Q

Where do cold and warm water currents begin?

A

Cold water- closer to poles

Warm water- near equator

36
Q

What is upwelling?

A

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

37
Q

What is the Great Ocean Conveyor Belt?

A

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

38
Q

What is an interglacial period?

A

Cycles of warm weather within ice ages

39
Q

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

A

Temperate

40
Q

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

A

Tropical

41
Q

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

A

Desert/Arid

42
Q

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

A

Polar

43
Q

Gyre

A

Where several surface currents come together to form a circular pattern

Science (24 decks)

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