extreme climates Flashcards

1
Q

formation of a hurricane

A
  1. evaporation of sea creates a low pressure area
  2. low pressure area draws in low level winds close to sea surface
  3. rising air condenses, releasing latent heat, further driving evaporation, condensation and cloud formation (cumulus and cumulonimbus)
  4. cloud formation not broken up at high altitudes as there is low wind shear
  5. coriolis force/anticyclone in upper troposphere causes wind to exit and sink, creating hurricane vortex
  6. hurricane picks up energy as it travels over warm water
  7. energy dissipates when hurricane makes landfall as there is less energy to absorb from land
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2
Q

conditions required for formation of a hurricane

A
  • between 30N and 30S of equator, but not at the equator
  • sea surface temperature of 26C (top 50m) or above
  • low wind shear (directional wind) at high winds
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3
Q

tornado formation

A
  1. ground heated by sun generates upward convection, forcing moist air high into the atmosphere
  2. meets cool dry air causing rapid cooling, creating clouds (cumulus, cumulonimbus)
  3. strong wind shear force from opposite direction of convection rotates air
  4. updraft tilts cylinder of rotating air, tornado touches ground and moves over land
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4
Q

tornado alley

A
  • tornadoes generally happen in USA
  • ideal climatic conditions for tornado formation
  • warm moist air moving up from gulf of mexico
  • cool westerly wind from pacific ocean
  • cool dry air from rock mountains and north Mexican desert
  • moves further north over summer
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5
Q

Monsoon formation

A
  1. in summer Asian landmass warms more rapidly than the sea, creating a larger temperature gradient and therefore more convection
  2. subtropical jet stream weakens and moves north over Himalayas
  3. tropical easterly jet forms, creating a high pressure system over the Indian ocean
  4. moist air moves northwards down a pressure gradient and condenses causing large scale rains
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6
Q

predictability of monsoons

A
  • communities rely on regular annual event for agriculture
  • climate change leading to changes in the jet stream may stop or make monsoons more intense
  • intense monsoons can trigger cyclones
  • can be lethal if unpredictable
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7
Q
A
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