Extreme Weather Flashcards
1
Q
Why is the globe hotter at the equator?
A
The sun is at a right angle so the energy is more concentrated and heats up the area surrounding the equator
2
Q
Which two ocean currents make the weather in the U.K. quite mild for most of the year?
A
Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift
3
Q
How is a global climate zone of low pressure caused?
A
When air at the equator is heated strongly so becomes less dense and rises to a air altitude. When the air rises away it creates low pressure
4
Q
What is dew point?
A
When less dense, rising air cools to a certain temperature at a certain altitude - when condensation starts
5
Q
What creates a band of cloud around the equator?
A
The process of condensation that happens at dew point
6
Q
What happens after air rises reaches dew point?
A
The parcels of air cool and become the same temperature as the surrounding air.
This is the top of the lower atmosphere - air here diverges both north and south towards the poles
7
Q
What happens to air at the top of the lower atmosphere?
A
It diverges (spreads out) towards the north and south poles
8
Q
What are sub-tropical anticyclones?
A
When air descends after diverging between latitudes 30 and 40* north and south to form areas of high pressure - as it falls it’s heated
9
Q
What are trade winds?
A
When warm air picks up moisture as water vapour as it crosses seas or oceans
10
Q
What are the cells of convection at closest latitudes to the equator?
A
Hadley cells
11
Q
What happens to air fallen air if it doesn’t go back to the equator?
A
It moves towards the poles - air is warm and less dense so it rises when meets colder air = Polar front
12
Q
When air rises at the polar front, what convection cell is formed?
A
Air diverges so a second cell - the Ferrel cell is formed
13
Q
What happens to remaining air that doesn’t form the Ferrel cell?
A
Continues towards the poles where it cools and sinks - polar regions have high pressure - and forms a polar cell
14
Q
What are prevailing winds?
A
Winds that are always there
15
Q
How are winds named?
A
By the direction they are coming from
16
Q
What is convectional rain?
A
Rain caused by warm air rising and cooling
17
Q
How to global pressure and surface winds influence precipitation?
A
- convectional rain - high and constant at equator
- low pressure zone around equator (ITCZ) where air rises and triggers bursts of torrential rain
- above polar front - differences in air temp. create jet stream which can pull up more warm air and becomes a depression
- rainfall is low around tropics - dry air descends as part of Hadley and Ferrel cells = arid
- precipitation low in polar regions and usually falls as snow
18
Q
What is frontal rain?
A
Rain due to warm air and cold air meeting at the polar front with the warm air being forced to rise
19
Q
What is an inter-tropical convergence zone?
A
Between tropics, the trade winds come together
20
Q
Why does air rise at the equator?
A
It is warmed as the equator is at a right angle to the sun
21
Q
What is the global distribution of hurricanes?
A
- mainly form in seas
- only affect coastal areas
- found in the tropics, but not the equator
- don’t move far inland as friction is too great and lost heat source (the sea)
22
Q
Which low-income countries are at risk of tropical cyclones?
A
- Central America (Honduras, Mexico)
- India
- Bangladesh
- Burma
- The Philippines
- China
23
Q
Which high-income countries are at risk of tropical cyclones?
A
- USA
- Japan
- Australia
24
Q
Where are hurricanes found?
A
Atlantic and Eastern Pacific Oceans
25
Where are typhoons found?
West of the North Pacific Ocean
26
Where are cyclones found?
Indian and South Pacific oceans
27
Where do tropical storms develop?
* between the tropics
* where sea temperatures are above 26.5*C
* highest frequency of storms in Atlantic and Pacific
* majority in northern hemisphere
* Coriolis effect spins rising air
28
How do tropical storms form?
* form over oceans with minimum temperature of 26.5*C
* warm temperatures cause warm air to rise, taking water vapour with it
* warm air cools to form cumulonimbus clouds
* rising air creates low pressure at sea level
* air with higher pressure moves in to replace risen air
* air does not move straight into low pressure area due to earths circulation - whirls in
* this air moves upwards with more water vapour so storm clouds are pulled into a spin by incoming wind and the spinning storm is pulled outward leaving the eye in the centre
* the cold air sinks down to the centre where it is heated ad pulled into the spinning circle of air
* the spinning circle drifts sideways due to trade winds
* energy depresses sea level under it, so there is a ridge of sea water giving rise to storm surges
29
Environmental effects of tropical storms?
* wind speeds (primary effect) - damage to buildings, power lines, roads
* storm surges (primary effect) - low air pressure means that sea levels are high, coastal flooding
* heavy rainfall (primary effect) - rain cause widespread flooding
30
Social impacts of tropical storms?
* mudslides and landslides (secondary effect) - unstable slopes become saturated with rain
* waterborne diseases (secondary effect) - polluted water supplied
* damaged homes and lack of services (secondary effect) - make shift shelters, services affected as infrastructure awaits repair
31
Immediate responses to tropical storms?
* emergency services on alert
* evacuating the area
* rescuing and treating victims of storm
* MEDCs - detailed plans in place - people alerted through media services, police and army go street-by-street, so people comply with evacuation orders and have sufficient supplies, find higher ground
* LEDCs - lack of infrastructure means harder to alert people of danger, find higher ground, receive help from other governments
32
Long term responses to tropical storms?
* rebuilding damaged housing and infrastructure
* setting up or improving protective system e.g. levees
* Rich countries - need less help, buildings built more solidly so minimum damage, government can respond quickly SO infrastructure is repaired quickly
* LICs - months later things return to previous state, long term health concerns, temporary housing, fewer resources so it takes longer to rebuild and move people back to their home areas
33
How do long term responses to tropical storms differ between richer countries and LICs?
* richer countries - less help, buildings are more solid to damage is minimum, governments respond quickly to repair infrastructure quickly
* LICs - long term health concerns, people in temporary housing, fewer resources means it takes longer for infrastructure to be rebuilt
34
What are the ways to reduce the effects of tropical storms?
* monitoring
* prediction
* protection and planning
35
How is monitoring used to reduce the effects of tropical storms?
Satellites identity formation of tropical storms, track their path and strength so they can be classified on the Saffir-Simpson scale and evaluate the damage that they will produce
36
How is prediction used to reduce the effects of tropical storms?
Meteorologists - use monitoring information to provide warning to let local areas prepare - weather agencies update for case and supply them to media channels
37
How is protection and planning used to reduce the effects of tropical storms?
* school children are taught the dangers of tropical storms and told what to do if a storm hits
* governments provide posters and leaflets
* people encouraged to prepare disaster kits
38
When did typhoon Haiyan hit?
8th November 2013 at 4.40am
39
What category was typhoon Haiyan?
Category 5
40
Where did typhoon Haiyan affect?
The Philippines
41
Where did typhoon Haiyan originate?
North West Pacific Ocean
42
What are the wind speeds of a category 1 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
119-153km/h
43
What are the wind speeds of a category 2 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
154-177km/h
44
What are the wind speeds of a category 3 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
178-208km/h
45
What are the wind speeds of a category 4 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
209-251km/h
46
What are the wind speeds of a category 5 tropical storm on the Saffir-Simpson scale?
252km/h +
47
Which categories on the Saffir-Simpson scale are major tropical storms?
3, 4 and 5
48
How much damage will a category 1 tropical storm do?
* very dangerous winds - some damage to well constructed houses
* large branches will snap
* power outages - damage to power lines
49
How much damage will a category 2 tropical storm do?
* extremely dangerous winds - extensive damage to houses
* shallow trees uprooted
* almost total power loss for several days
50
How much damage will a category 3 tropical storm do?
* devastating damage to well built houses
* many trees uprooted blocking roads
* electricity and water unavailable for days
51
How much damage will a category 4 tropical storm do?
* catastrophic damage - severe damage to houses
| * fallen trees will leave residential areas without power for weeks
52
How much damage will a category 5 tropical storm do?
* catastrophic damage - widespread destruction
* lots of infrastructure and homes destroyed
* most of area uninhabitable for weeks or months
53
What were the primary effects of typhoon Haiyan?
* 5m storm surge in Tacloban
* 400mm heavy rainfall - widespread flooding
* 90% of Tacloban was destroyed
* 6000 people killed
54
What were the secondary effects of typhoon Haiyan?
* winds battered home so people were made homeless
* people lost their source of income
* power supplies cut off for a month
* shortages of water and food
* violence broke out in Tacloban
55
What were the immediate responses to typhoon Haiyan?
* international governments provided food, water, temporary shelter
* helicopters assisted with search and delivery of aid
* 1200 evacuation centres set up
* Red Cross delivered food
* UK government sent shelter kits
56
What were the long term responses to typhoon Haiyan?
* UN donated financial aid, supplies and medical support
* rebuilding of roads
* rice farming and fishing re-established
57
How can the effects of tropical storms be reduced?
* planning
* monitoring
* protection
* prediction
58
What advice is given to people so they can plan for tropical storms?
* preparing a disaster kit
* putting fuel in their vehicles
* storing loose objects
* knowing where evacuation shelters are
59
What devices are used to monitor tropical storms?
* satellites
| * aircraft
60
How are satellites used to monitor tropical storms?
Monitors precipitation between latitudes 65* north and south of the equator to identify high altitude rain clouds
61
How is aircraft used to monitor tropical storms?
Collect air pressure, rainfall and wind speed data
62
What does the federal emergency management agency advise to protect from tropical storms?
* install hurricane straps and storm shutters
* tie down wind bourn objects
* remove trees close to buildings
63
What devices are used to predict tropical storms?
* supercomputers
* track cones
* evacuation
64
How are supercomputers used to predict tropical storms?
Give 5 days warning and accurate location within 400km
65
How are track cones used to predict tropical storms?
* allows for error with unpredictable behaviour of storms
| * predicts a storm path and intensity for up to 7 days
66
What is the Global Hawk Drone?
* monitor storms by using radar and microwaves
| * help scientists understand more about the formation of tropical storms to improve forecasting models
67
Advantages of track forecast cones?
It can allow citizens to evacuate their homes in advance of the storm
68
Disadvantages of track forecast cones?
70% of storms occur in the predicted cone - so some people may be evacuated unnecessarily = costly and time consuming
69
What is weather?
The state of the atmosphere at a given time and place with respect to variables e.g. wind speed and air pressure
70
What is climate?
The average weather in a region over a long period of time
71
What is the difference between weather and climate?
* weather: state of the atmosphere at a given time and place
| * climate: average weather in a region over a long period of time
72
Why was there record rainfall and flooding in Cumbria in 2009?
* they had already received a months worth of rain - ground already wet and new rain could not soak in
* the river was ten metres wider than normal
73
What were the social impacts of the flooding in Cumbria?
* police officer killed when a bridge collapsed
* others people injured
* homes flooded
* contaminated rain water brought health risks
74
What were the economic impacts of the flooding in Cumbria?
* business closed and didn't reopen
| * debris transported by the river destroyed bridges
75
What were the environmental impacts of the flooding in Cumbria?
* water erosion triggered landslides along River Derwent
| * river carried away hundreds of trees - damaging habitats
76
Which flood measures were taken for the flooding in Cumbria in 2009?
* thick glass screens
* flood defence windows
* high walls
* 4m wide gates so EA can get equipment to river
* self closing barrier - automatic
77
What was the total cost for the flood protection measures taken in Cumbria?
£4.4 million
78
What type of flood protection methods were taken in Cumbria?
Hard engineering
79
What is a hydro-meteorological hazard?
A hazard which is weather induced
80
What were the environment agencies's approaches to the flooding in Cumbria in 2009?
* flood warnings - a system that is easy to follow
| * text messages
81
How do the UK respond to the risk of droughts?
* hosepipe bans can be put in place in affected regions - offenders fined
* water companies apply to government for an official Drought Order - water supply to houses turned off - public queue in the street for water
* water companies can encourage public to have a water meter finished (to stop people running taps) and repair old water pipes
82
How do the UK respond to the risk of storms?
* Met Office - improving their ability to make predictions
* severe weather warnings in the media
* airlines and rail companies cancel services to minimise risk to customers
83
How do the UK respond to the risk of floods?
* Thames barrier to prevent future storm surges
* environment agency monitors ground moisture levels to make accurate flood predictions and therefore give evacuation orders
* Flood Re - agreement between U.K. insurance companies and the government - new housing on floodplains faces higher insurance bills
84
How do the UK respond to the risk of cold weather?
* local councils clear roads of snow and ice
* public health england make announcements in the media for people to take care
* charities for the elderly raise (public) awareness of health risks for old people during these conditions
85
Which organisations play a part in tackling the risks posed by extreme weather?
* Environment Agency (GOVT)
* Government e.g. Minister for Droughts
* Met Office (GOVT funded)
* Public Health England
* Water companies
* Insurance Companies
86
Why could global warming make some places cooler?
If a Gulf Stream changes direction due to melting of northern ice caps so there is more cool polar water e.g. U.K.
87
What does interglacial mean?
Between two ice ages
88
How will climate change affect the British Isles?
* annual precipitation - increase by 5% by 2020s and by 10% by 2050s
* increase in timber yields (+ve)
* temperatures increase 0.2*C per decade
* enhanced potential for tourism - increased temperatures and decreased precipitation (+ve)
* decreased crop yields in south of Britain (-ve)
89
Evidence to show climate change?
* between 2003-2009 most glacier ice was lost from Alaska, the Canadian Arctic, the Southern Andes and the Asian Mountains
* annual Arctic sea ice extent has decreased 1979 and 2012 by about 4% per decade
90
What is solar radiation?
Energy coming into the earth from the sun
91
What is solar radiation also known as?
insolation or short wave radiation
92
What is invisible infrared radiation?
Energy leaving the earth to outer space
93
What is invisible infrared radiation also known as?
Outgoing long wave radiation
94
What is the temperature of the earth a result of?
The balance between solar radiation and invisible infrared radiation
95
What is the IPCC?
Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change
96
What evidence is there that the temperature has changed since the Pleistocene (ice age)?
* glacial erratics - rocks in the wrong place - only glaciers could have carried rocks like this
* ice cores - past atmosphere evidence by looking at gas bubbles in the ice
* sedimentary evidence - lake sediments and checking thickness of each band
* thickness of tree ring shows length of growing season
97
How do glacial erratics provide evidence that the temperature has changed since the ice age?
Rocks are deposited in the wrong place - only glaciers could have carried rocks like this - evidence of a colder climate
98
How do ice cores provide evidence that the temperature has changed since the ice age?
Past atmosphere evidence by looking at gas bubbles in the ice
99
What is the Pleistocene?
The ice age
100
How does sedimentary evidence prove that the temperature has changed since the ice age?
• lake sediments - fine layers deposited when lake froze in winter, suspended (floating) land dropped and formed layers
^layers with courser sediment (summer) - when glacier melts and flows into unfrozen lake
• by checking thickness of each band you can see if winters are getting longer/shorter = longer means ice age ??
101
How does dendrochronology provide evidence that the temperature has changed since the ice age?
Thickness of tree rings says about length of growing season
102
What is dendrochronology?
Tree rings
103
What is a problem of using dendrochronology to provide evidence that the temperature has changed since the ice age?
Limited because few trees exist that are older than 4000 y/b/p
104
What is paleoclimate proxy data?
Records that can be used to infer atmospheric properties e.g. temperature, precipitation
105
What are the 4 main types of paleoclimate proxy data?
* biological
* cryological
* geological
* historical
106
What are some examples of biological paleoclimate proxy data?
* tree rings
* pollen
* corals
* fossils of plants, insects and microscopic creatures
107
What is an example of cryological paleoclimate proxy data?
ice cores
108
How are ice cores collected?
By drilling through deep ice sheets to find trapped air bubbles and trapped dust
109
What are some examples of geological paleoclimate proxy data?
* rocks
* sand dunes
* ocean sediments
* glacial debris
* stalactites
* volcanic rocks
110
What is historical paleoclimate proxy data?
Written records of atmospheric condition and biological events e.g. timing of spring blooms for a tree
111
How long ago did the quaternary period start?
2.6 million years ago until the present day
112
How many epochs were in the quaternary period?
Two; the Pleistocene and the Holocene
113
How can volcanic eruptions cause climate change?
* throwing an ash cloud and sulphur dioxide 40km vertically in the stratosphere
* sulphur dioxide + water -> volcanic aerosol, which reflects sunlight away from earth
* LOWERS temperatures by 0.5*C
114
Why are natural causes of climate change not as important as human causes?
* solar output has not changed much since 1970s
* orbital change affects climate over a longer time period - could be 30,000 years before another ice age
* volcanoes affect climate for a short period of time after an eruption - often cooling climate
115
What is the relationship between temperature and carbon dioxide emissions?
As carbon dioxide increases, over time (1000 years) the temperature also increases
116
How does the greenhouse effect cause climate change?
* suns infrared enters the earths atmosphere
* heat is reflected from earths surface
* natural layer of greenhouse gases (e.g. CO2, methane) allows some heat to be reflected out of atmosphere, but some is trapped
* this makes the earth warm enough for life to survive
* human activity like burning fossil fuels increases layer of greenhouse gases
* even less heat escapes from earth and the earth therefore warms up
117
What are some social effects of climate change?
* skiing tourist resorts may close or have shorter seasons
* agriculture may be affected in South Asia
* health in Southern Africa may decline - malaria would increase in hot humid regions
* health in Europe may decline - heat waves can increase deaths
* less ice in Arctic Ocean would allow more extraction of gas and oil reserves
118
What are some environmental effect of climate change?
* flood risk in the U.K. - heavy rain
* Mediterranean region may see increased drought
* wildlife declines as polar bears and seal disappear with loss of habitat (ice melts)
* the amazon rainforests - high levels of extinction
* South America - decrease in maize and what crop yields
119
What is mitigation of climate change?
Dealing with the causes of climate change
120
What is adaption to climate change?
Responding to the impacts of climate change
121
What are the ways of mitigating climate change?
* alternative energy production
* international agreements
* carbon capture and storage (CCS)
* planting trees
122
How can alternative energy production be used to mitigate climate change?
* using renewable energy resources
* renewable energy resources are more expressive than fossil fuels
* but becoming cheaper and more competitive as they don't produce CO2
123
An example of alternative energy production being used to mitigate climate change?
A new nuclear reactor being built at Hinkley Point in Somerset
124
How can international agreements be used to mitigate climate change?
* UN negotiated a climate change agreement for all countries in Paris in 2015 - 105 countries
* EU's vision -> reduce global emissions 40% below 2010 levels by 2030
125
What are the aims of the Paris agreement?
* to peak greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible
* to keep global temperature increase below 2*C
* to review progress every 5 years
* US $100 billion a year to support change initiatives in developing countries by 2020
126
What is carbon capture?
Technological advances that can replicate the way earth stores carbon dioxide
127
How does carbon capture work?
* capture carbon dioxide from emission sources
* can remove carbon dioxide from atmosphere by converting it to a liquid
* 'supercritical carbon dioxide' - liquid. injected into sedimentary rock
* impermeable 'cap rock' stops it from escaping
128
Disadvantages of carbon capture?
* expensive
* unclear weather carbon dioxide will remain trapped long term
* doesn't promote renewable energy
* basalt isn't found everywhere
129
How can planting trees be used to mitigate climate change?
* trees act as carbon sinks, removing CO2 from the atmosphere by photosynthesis
* also release moisture into atmosphere -> cooling it by producing more cloud
130
What are the ways of adapting to climate change in agriculture?
* drought resistant stains of crops
* new irrigation systems
* shade trees planted to protect seedlings from sun
* educating farmers in water harvesting techniques
131
What is irrigation?
The supply of water to land or crops to help growth e.g. channels
132
How will an increase in climate affect agriculture?
* tropics - greatest change - South Africa and Asia fall between 10-30% by 2030
* Europe and North America - increase in crops because of warmer climate
133
What are the ways of adapting to climate change in terms of rising sea level?
* Thames flood barrier - protects London by stopping tidal surges
* Maldives - construction of sea walls, building homes on stilts, relocate population, constitution of artificial islands
134
How will climate change affect the Maldives?
Due to rising sea levels, may be inhabitable by 2030, submerged by 2070
135
What are the ways of adapting to climate change in terms of water supply?
* REDUCING DEMAND - retrofit package of efficient water devices in all London homes by 2030
* INCREASING SUPPLY - desalination plant in Beckton in 2010 - water taken from Thames can produce drinking water for 400,000 homes
136
Limitations of the desalination plant in Beckton?
* needs a lot of energy
| * therefore carbon emissions need to be offset by a biodiesel electricity plant
137
What is desalination?
The process of removing salts and minerals from sea water
138
What is biodiesel?
Alternative energy, produced by plant material so is carbon neutral
139
How can rising sea levels be managed in the Maldives?
* construction of sea walls - 3m wall around capital, and sandbags elsewhere
* building houses on stilts
* restoration of mangrove forests - so roots trap sediment and offer protection from storm waves
* entire population relocated to Sri Lanka or India
* construction of artificial islands so people relocated
140
What will be the social effects of climate change in Europe?
* UK - flood risk from heavy rain
* UK- temperatures likely to increase with risk of skin cancer and stroke
* crop yields will increase but need more irrigation
* Alps - ski resorts may have shorter seasons
141
What will be the environmental effects of climate change in Europe?
* UK - rise in sea level putting coastal defences under strain
* UK - extreme weather likely to increase
* Mediterranean - increased drought
142
What will be the social effects of climate change in the Americas?
• South America - decrease in maize, soybeans and wheat crop yields
143
What will be the environmental effects of climate change in the Americas?
* North America - forests affected by more pests, disease and fires
* amazon rainforests - high levels of extinction
144
What will be the social effects of climate change in Africa?
* drought - put pressure on food and water supplies
| * health decline - malaria increase in hot humid regions
145
What will be the environmental effects of climate change in Asia and Australia?
* marine wildlife - change in food supply decrease numbers of wildlife
* less rainfall affecting wildlife - causing food shortages for organisms
* Asia - increased risk of flooding
* coral reefs - biodiversity lost and warmer acidic water could cause coral bleaching
146
What will be the social effects of climate change in Asia and Australia?
* South Asia - decrease in wheat and maize yield
| * East Asia - fishing industry decline - more acidic sea
147
What will be the environmental effects of climate change in the Arctic and Antarctic?
* wildlife declines - loss of habitat
* less ice would allow more extraction of gas and oil reserves
* tree line of sub-arctic forests retreat north
148
How might climate change affect tropical storms?
temperature rises, sea levels rise due to thermal expansion:
* storm surges will be higher
* more moisture in atmosphere - heavier rainfall
