Earth System Modelling Flashcards
What are the parts of the Earth System?
Lithosphere, Biosphere, Cryosphere, Hydrosphere, Atmosphere
What is the Atmosphere?
The gaseous envelope around the earth
How are the dynamics of the atmosphere described?
The Navier-Stokes Equations
What is the hydrosphere?
Liquid surface and subterrean water
What is the hydrosphere described by?
Navier Stokes Equations
What is the cryosphere?
The regions where water is frozen
What is the cryosphere described by?
Approximate laws eg. Glenn’s law
What is the biosphere?
Ecosystem of living organisms
What is the Lithosphere?
Upper layer of earth
What is climate?
The result of dynamic interactions between the spheres
What are some properties of climate?
- Interactions across scales
- Chaos
How is the temperature of the earth determined?
Balance between ingoing and outgoing radiation
What determines earths temperature?
- Orbital eccentricity
- Changes in tilt / obliquity
- Axial precession / wobble
What is the greenhouse effect?
Greenhouse gases absorb long wave but no shortwave radiation
