How Atmosphere And Oceans Maintain Global Energy Balance Flashcards
Cold currents
Eg the Labrador current current
Are more dense and sink while warm currents rise.
This creates a conveyor belt moving energy towards the poles
Ocean Currents
In the Atlantic are moved by combination of prevailing winds and the deflection off significant land masses
Atmospheric cells
Circulate air in the atmosphere
Warm air is less dense and rises at the equator before cooling and spreading to 30 degrees North and South where it sinks
Some of this warm air travels towards the poles as surface winds
Air travels towards the poles as surface winds because
Occurs as air moves from areas of high pressure (30 degrees north and south) to areas of low pressure (60 degrees) - transfers energy from the equator towards the poles
Where does the remainder of the air go?
Returns to the equator to be reheated
This completes the Hadley cell
Zone of divergence occurs here
At 60 degrees
Warmer air travelling towards the equator meets cold air travelling across the surface of the earth
These two air masses converge and and rise up into the atmosphere
Surplus energy
Is carried in the warmer air towards the poles where it sinks upon cooling, creating the polar cell
This cell is thermally direct
Oceans and atmosphere move
Water from areas of surplus at the equator to areas of deficit at the poles