Hydrosphere Flashcards
Define the hydrosphere
the earth’s outer layer of H2O, uniting water in all different states: ice, water, and vapour
What are catchment areas?
An area of land whose lakes and rivers all empty into the same larger body of water.
what determines a watershed area
it is determined by natural lines that are formed by the land.
When it comes to the hydrosphere, which component plays an essential role in regulating climate change? Explain why.
The ocean since they have the ability to absorb heat.
What factors influence water temperature?
- The seasons
-the latitude (closer to equator= hotter water)
-The depth (deeper = colder due to less sunlight)
Where are oceans less saline and explain why
near the poles where the freshwater icecaps are melting and thus diluting the salt concentration
Where does water get its salt from?
from the weathering of the lithosphere (dissolved minerals)
What causes water to have a high density?
salt
define an ocean current
the movement of seawater in a certain direction
name the two types of marine currents
surface currents and deep currents
what generates surface currents (top 400 m of ocean)?
wind
thermohaline circulation controls which current?
deep currents
what causes thermohaline?
the differences in temperature and saltiness
name the circulation that regulates the earth’s climate and overall temperature
thermohaline circulation
