natural influences on climate Flashcards
climate
the long-term averages of weather conditions
climate change
change to the averages of aspects of climate that persist for decades or longer
El Nino
an extreme of the southern oscilliation that causes drought in parts of Australia
global conveyor belt
common name for the thermohaline circulation
global warming
a time when the average world temperature is increasing
greenhouse effect
the warming of earth caused by greenhouse gases
greenhouse gases
gases that trap heat close to the earth’s surface
gyres
the circular patterns shown by the ocean currents in the major ocean basins
indian ocean dipole (iod)
a variable and irregular cycle of warming and cooling of waters in the equatorial area of the indian ocean
interglacials
periods between glaciations
la nina
an extreme of the southern oscilliation that causes significant rainfall in parts of australia
ocean currents
continuous movements of ocean water
southern oscilliation
a sequence of changes to the atmosphere and ocean circulation across the pacific ocean and indonesian islands
southern oscilliation index (soi)
a measure of the southern oscilliation calculate using the difference in air pressure between tahiti and darwin
thermohaline circulation
scientific term for global conveyor belt, a continuous circulation of water that can be tracked around the whole earth
