lecture 7: Earth's energy budget/balance 4

Question 1

Climate variability: North Atlantic oscillation (Nao)

- my notes

Answer 1

Icelandic low pressure cell- Azores- Bermuda High pressure cell
- Positive phase- stronger than usual pressure difference
- Negative phase- weak pressure difference
- Positive phase
o More storms
- Negative phase
o Fewer storms
- NAO Index
o Positive phase since 2013- UK
o 2016- strongly positive phase- 1995

Question 2

The climate systems and its interactions- my notes

Answer 2

response in planet system

- within system- positive or negative feedback

Question 3

The long term and short term carbon cycle- my notes

Answer 3

• Over long periods time- governs co2 level in our atmosphere
• Weathering- not much of this- co2 will build and build up
• Lots of small land masses now in comparison to Pangea times
• Frozen surface- no weathering- volcanic gases- build up build up

Question 4

Continental drift and climate change- my notes

Answer 4

Africa rose up to meet Europe- certain equatorial currents were cut off
- Now motion of ocean forced to the poles- cooler- therefore cooler environment now then back then