GEOGRAPHY UNIT 3 - ATMOSPHERE AND WEATHER SYSTEMS Flashcards
Climate
The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind and precipitation in a particular region.
Precipitation
Any form of water that falls from the Earth’s atmosphere to the surface.
Weather
The atmospheric conditions and short-term variations in a specific location at a particular point in time.
Air masses
Large bodies of air with relatively uniform temperature, humidity and pressure as defined by their source regions.
Ocean circulation
The large-scale movement of water within the Earth’s oceans, which distributes heat.
Monsoon
A seasonal wind pattern that brings a distinct change in weather conditions, particularly in terms of precipitation.
Front
The boundary between two air masses with different characteristics.
Orographic Rainfall
Occurs when moist air is lifted as it encounters a mountain.
Convectional Rainfall
A type of precipitation that occurs as a result of convective - or heat release - activity in the atmosphere.
Frontal Rainfall
A type of rainfall that occurs when two air masses with different temperatures and moisture content meet along a front.
Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
A belt of low pressure that encircles the Earth near the equator.
Polar front jet stream
A fast-flowing, narrow air current in the lower atmosphere.
Rossby Waves
Large-scale waves that occur in the Earth’s atmosphere
Mid-latitude depressions
A weather system characterised by a low-pressure centre with anti-clockwise circulation in the northern hemisphere and clockwise rotation in the southern hemisphere. It brings varied weather, including precipitation and storms.
Dissipation
The gradual weakening or decay of a weather system.
Occluded front
A weather boundary where a faster-moving cold front overtakes a slower-moving warm front, lifting the warm air.
Anticyclone
A high-pressure area generally leading to fair-weather conditions
Tropical Cyclone
A powerful, rotating storm system with a low-pressure centre, strong winds and heavy rain. It forms over warm ocean waters and can intensify to create a significant natural hazard.
Storm surges
A rapid and significant rise in sea level during a storm, particularly a tropical cyclone, causing coastal flooding.
Drought
An extended period of abnormally low precipitation levels, leading to water shortages.
Desertification
The process in which fertile land becomes increasingly arid and unproductive, often due to prolonged drought or deforestation.
Natural Hazard
A potential threat from a natural event that may pose risks to human life and property.
Forecasting
The process of estimating future events based on historical data, analysis and models.
Prediction
Knowing when and where a natural hazard will occur spatially and temporarily.
Hard engineering
The use of artificial structures and interventions (flood walls) to manage and control natural processes.
Administrative costs
Rules and regulations (such as trading standards and strict specifications) that make it difficult for importers to penetrate an overseas market.
Barriers to Entry
Factors that make it difficult for a company to enter an industry or type of business and compete effectively.
Code of Conduct
A set of rules outlining the proper practices of an organisation that contributes to the welfare of key stakeholders and respects the rights of all affected by its operations.
Common Market
A market where goods, labour and capital can move freely across the member states.
Comparative Advantage
The theory that a country should specialise in products and services that it can produce more efficiently than other countries.
Competition Policy
Government policy that exists to promote competition and ensure that firm’s don’t abuse their market power
Globalisation
The growing integration of the world’s economies.
Glocalisation
It involves the development and sales of products to customers around the world which reflect specific local customs, tastes and traditions.
High-context cultures
Cultures in the Middle East, Asia, Africa, and South America that are relational, collectivist, intuitive and contemplative. This means that people in these cultures emphasise interpersonal relationships.
Import quota
A physical limit on the quantity of imports allowed into a country.
Human Development Index (HDI)
A collection of statistics that are combined into an index
Competitive Advantage
The advantage that one company has over another, or several others, in the provision of a particular product or service.
Cost competitiveness
Through acquiring ever-increasing economies of scale, a company creates the cheapest product on the market.
Cost leadership
A concept developed by Michael Porter. It describes a way to establish the competitive advantage and essentially means the lowest cost of operations in the industry.
Cultural Audit
Study and examination of an organisations’ cultural characteristics (such as its assumptions, values and norms) to determine whether they hinder or support its vision and mission.
Customs Union
A union where member states remove all trade barriers between themselves and members adopt a common set of barriers against non-members.
Imports
Goods and services that are bought into one country from another.
Infant Industries
New industries that have yet to establish themselves.
Infrastructure
The basic systems, facilities, services and capital equipment required for a country’s economy to function.
Institutional Framework
The system of formal law, regulations and procedures, and informal conventions customs and norms that shape activity and behaviour.
Intellectual Property
A product that is the creation of the mind, such as an invention. Types include patents, copyrights and trademarks.
International Trade
Exporting (selling abroad) and importing (buying abroad).
