P1- Section A - Weather Hazards Flashcards

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1
Q

What is global circulation caused by

A

different parts of the world heating up differently .

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2
Q

What does global atmospheric circulation help to explain

A

it helps to explain the location of world climate zones and the distribution of weather hazards .

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3
Q

What is the most important influence of global climate

A

latitude , due to the curvature of the earth

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4
Q

Why do different parts of the world receive different amouts of radiation , different climates around the world EXPLAINED

A

Due to the latitude , because of the curved surface , of the earth , the EQUATOR , recieves much Higher rays of insolation than POLAR latitutdes .

The parallel rays of the sun are spread THINLY when they strike the Earth’s surface at HIGH latitudes .

Whereas at LOW latitudes equator , , sunlight is more highly concentrated .

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5
Q

why is it hotter at the equator than at the poles (more reasons)

A

Same amount of energy much more concentrated at the equator .
Radiation also travles throgugh a GREATER DEPTH of atmosphere NEAR THE POLES , in comparison to the equator .
So MORE radiation is LOST to SCATTERING AND ABSORPTIOB by gases and particles in the atmosphere .

The tilit of the Earth also means that POLAR regions do nott see daylight during the winter .

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6
Q

what is the weather like at polar regions

A

snow and cold and ice

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7
Q

why is there snow and ice at the polar regions

A

snow and ice and thick cloud reflect a lot of the radiaiton back into space (ALBEDO) .

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8
Q

why is the albedo important

A

it is imortant for determining how much of the sun’s radiation is used for heating the earth ,

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9
Q

what is the radiatin like at the poles

A

at the poles , the outgoing radiation from the Earth , exceeds the incoming heat radiation from the sun .

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10
Q

what does global circulation do

A

it redistributes heat (like an aircon )
stopping the EUQATOR from becoming HOTTER and hotter
and the POLES becoming colder and colder .

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11
Q

how do global ciruclation take place and where

A

in the form of THREE LARGE CELLS which exists in the NOrthern and southern hemispheres .

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12
Q

What is the name of the largest cell

A

Hadley cell

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13
Q

explain the hadley cell

A

At the equator , warmer , less dense air rises and irses to a high alititude .
This cerates a global climate zone of LOW PRESSURE , the equatorial zone.
Then the air spreads out underneath the TROPOPAUSE.
Warm air spreds ou towards the POLES
Gradually COOLING +SINKING as it moves before DESCEDNING to the SURFACE anf flwoing back to the EQUATOR .

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14
Q

What is the smallest cell called

A

polar cells

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15
Q

explain polar cells

A

At the poles, air is cooled and sinks towards the ground forming high pressure, this known as the Polar high. It then flows towards the lower latitudes. At about 60 degrees N and S, the cold polar air mixes with warmer tropical air and rises upwards, creating a zone of low pressure called the subpolar low.

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16
Q

What is betwene the Hadley and Polar cells ?

A

The Ferrel cells

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17
Q

t/f ferrel cells are driven by temperature

A

FALSE

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18
Q

How do ferrel cells flow

A

oppposite directions to haldey cells andpolar cells - hot air rises from the polar front

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19
Q

What do ferrel cells do

A

They not only transport heat from the equator to the poles ,
But also result in semi-permanent areas of high and low pressures .

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20
Q

why does ferrel cells result in semi permanent areas of high and low pressure ?

A

due to the risining nd descedning parts of the cirucaltion giving us climatic zones .

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21
Q

What does air rising mean (2 points) how does it link to rainforests ?

A

area of low pressurre (the equator ), much more rainfall , why rainforests are found near the equator

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22
Q

What does desceding air mean (2 points ) , link to deserts ?

A

areas of high pressure , clear skies and little rainfall , which leads to deseert regions .

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23
Q

what is the largest and driest desert

A

Antrartica

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24
Q

why is the global circulation pattern at an angle

A

due to the Earth’s rotation

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25
Q

the spin of the earth induces an apparent motion to the right of the …

A

northern hemisphere

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26
Q

the spin of the earth induces an apparent motion to the left of the …

A

southern hemisphere

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27
Q

what is the coriolis effect

A

when the spin of the earth induces an apparen tmotion to the right of the nrothern hemisphere and to the left of the southern hemisphere.

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28
Q

what is they key to the coriolis effect

A

is that the earths surface roattes faster at the equator than at the poles

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29
Q

why does the earths surface rotatae faster at the equator than at the poles

A

as the earth is wider at the euqaotr so has further to travel in one day .

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30
Q

how does windflow in the nothern hemsphere (2 points )

A

low pressure and anticlockwise

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31
Q

how does windflow in the southern hemisphere (2 points)

A

clockwise nd in highpressure

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32
Q

does the magntud eof the coriolis efect increase or decerase at the poles

A

increase

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33
Q

where does the subtropical jet sream occur

A

high in the atmopshere 12-15km

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34
Q

where does the polar jet fron occur

A

11-13km stroger in winter thna in summer

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35
Q

why is rainfall high and constant throughout the year near the equtator

A

as hot air rises , it cools slightlu , water vapour is converted into droplets of convectional rain

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36
Q

low-preassure zones around the equator are called what

A

INTERTROPICAL CONVERGENCE ZONES

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37
Q

why is rainfall high in coastal areas in western europe

A

due to the movment of jet stream over the atlantic . Rain bearing wethering systems called cyclones follow the jet stream often bringing stormy conditions to the UK’s west coast .

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38
Q

why is rainfall low around the tropics of capricorn and caner

A

dry aisr descends there as part of the hadley cell resulting in arid condtions .

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39
Q

meaning of arid conditions

A

extremely dry

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40
Q

why is preciiptiation low in polar regions , why does it mostly fall as snow

A

the cold air has limted bility to hold water vapour .

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41
Q

what is the meaning of tropical storms

A

an area of low pressure with winds moving in a spiral around the calm central point called the ‘eye’ of the storm . Winds are powerful and rains are heavy .

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42
Q

what are the three names for tropical storms

A

hurricanes
typhoons
cyclones

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43
Q

what are tropical stroms called in the west of the north pacific ocean

A

typhoons

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44
Q

what are tropical stroms called in indian and osuth pacific ocean

A

cyclones

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45
Q

what are tropical storms called in the atlantic and eatsern pacfic ocean

A

hurricanes

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46
Q

where do tropical storms occur

A

in the tropics (mainly in the ITCZ zone) broadly on the south of the Tropics
of Cancer
North of the tropics of Capricorn

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47
Q

What are the conditions of a cyclone

A

1.Large still wwarm , ocean area above 26.5degrres.c to a dpeth of approximately 60-70km .
2.Low latitude winds 5-30.c north and south of the equator

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48
Q

Why should a cyclone have Large still wwarm , ocean area above 26.5degrres.c to a dpeth of approximately 60-70km ?

A

this provided heat and moisture that causes the warm air to rise rapidly in this low pressure region .Latent heat is then released which powers a tropical storm .

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49
Q

why should a cyclone have .Low latitude winds between 5-30.c north and osuth of the equaor

A

A higher insolation means temperatures are higher at the poles .

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50
Q

what seasosn do most tropical storms develop in and why

A

between summer and autumn as they are the warmest seasons .
There is also a low wind sheer so tropicl storms can rise to high levels without being torn apart .

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51
Q

Why don’t tropical storms not develop along the equaotr

A

due to the coriolis effect

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52
Q

how does a tropical storm form

A
  1. air is heated above the surface of warm tropical oceans . The wrm air rises rapidly under low pressure conditions .
    2.The rising air draws up more air and large volumes of moisture from the ocean , causing strong winds.
    3.The Coriolis effect causes the air to spin upwards around a calm central eye of the storm .
    4.As the ir rises , it cools and condenses to from lalrge , towering cumulonimbus clouds , which generate torrential rainfll . The heat given off when the air cools powers the tropical storm .
    5.Cold air sinks in the eye , thereofre there is no cloud , so it is drier and much calmer .
    6.Te tropical storm travels across the ocean in the prevailing wind .
    7.When the tropical storm meets land it is no longer fuelled by the source of moisture and heat from the ocean so it looses it power and weakens .
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53
Q

Describe the temperature and air pressure thoroughout the formation of a tropical storm .

A

At the strat of a tropical storm , the temperature and air pressure fall . Air rises and clouds being to form .It becomes windy .
2.s the tropical storm continues , the air pressure dalls more rapidly , winds ncrease , cumulonibus cloud froms and there is heavy rainfall .
3.There is a period of calm with no wind or rainaat theeye of the storm . The sun appears , so it gets warmer , air pressure is very low
4.wind and heavy rainfall increases dramartically agan , the temperature drops and air pressure bings to ris e.
As the tropical storm ends , air pressure and temperature rise , wind and rainfall subsides ..

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54
Q

What direction do tropical storms travel and why

A

East to West due to the direction in which the Earth spins .

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55
Q

why do tropical stos loose thier energy when they hit land

A

as when they pass over land , they loose their energy source from the sea that powered them .
As they pass over lnd , friction also slows them down .As they loose energy they change direction .

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56
Q

What does it men by the frequency of tropical storms

A

how often tropical storms occur

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57
Q

what does it mean by the distribution of tropical storms

A

where tropical storms occur .

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58
Q

what does it mean by the intensity of tropical storms

A

how strong tropical storms are .

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59
Q

How has climate change affected the distribution of tropical storrms

A

the distribution will change , signigificant areas around the globe will experience stronger storms , some of these areas are outside the areas where CURRENT tropcal storms occur where ocean tepmerature will go above 27.c

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60
Q

How was climate change-temperture affected the inensity of tropial storms

A

As the temperature increases sea leves rise due to thermal expansion .The impact of rising sea levels mean strorm surgers are expected to become higher.

A warmer atmosphere will mean that air can hodl more moisture .Heavy rainfall is expected to increase , therefore , flooding during tropical storm is expected to becoe destructive .

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61
Q

how has climate change affected the intensity of a tropical storm

A

warmer oceans means more intense tropical storms .

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62
Q

how has climate change affected the frequency of tropical storms

A

frequency of tropical storms is expected to remian the same or decrease as a result of limate change . However , the number of MORE SVERE TROPICAL STORMS is said to increase.

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63
Q

What makes the link between tropical storms and climate change uncertian ?

A

Rate and impact of Climate Change in the future is uncertain .

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64
Q

What benefits do tropical storms have on the planet ?

A

They bring rainfalls to areas of drought .
They help balance heat in the oceans , due to rainfall .

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65
Q

What are the impacts of a tropical storm

A

strong winds , torrential tainfall and storm surges. Landslides and tornadoes can also be caused by tropcial storms .

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66
Q

what is a storm surge

A

when the sea level rises rapildy and particularly high due to the storm

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67
Q

what are wind speeds at least in a tropical storm , what is the impact of this , state some primary effects .

A

at least 199 km/h - They can demolish houses across whole towns and villages destroy infrastrucutre such as electricity powerlines and wipe out crops

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68
Q

what does the destruction of a tropical storm depend on?

A

how well people and property are protected .

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69
Q

explain flooding and it its impacts in a tropcal storm

A

flooding is caused by the heavy rain and storm surges . Storm surges can be up to 5m high and are driven by the wind pushing seawater onto the coastline . Heavy rainfall can be up to 500mm falling within 24 hours . The cause of death for the majority of victims is due to flooding .

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70
Q

what are some secondary effects of tropical storms

A

Aid is hampered as roads are flooded . Torrential rain can also trigger landslides , causing further devastation . Furthermore , water supplies can be contaminated with seawater , sewage and industrial waste , which increases the risk of waterborne diseases such as cholera .

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71
Q

How are tropical storm measured and a brief explanation on how it works.

A

Tropical storms are mwasured using the Saffir-Simpson hurricane windscape . The higher the category scale , the higher the intensty of the tropical storm .

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72
Q

prediciction of a tropical storm - its correlation to responses to a tropical storm

A

tropical storms can generally be predicted , warning systems provide crucial information regarding strong winds , heavy rain and strom surges , which are broadcast to the public - which gives vital time to prepare and protect property .

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73
Q

responses to tropical storms

A

-evacuation to highter growund , or emergency storm shelters
-tents porvided when homes are damaged /destroed
-distribuiting emergency food and water essential for surviviors n the aftermath of the a tropical sotrm .
-(Hics usually have resources ,

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74
Q

what may be the extensive effects of a large scale tropical storm

A

-international aid may be necessary
-aid may be hindered by roads have become blocked by debris or fallen trees .
-large scale may mean longer for aid to reach where it is needed , especially in more remote locations .

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75
Q

what is sustainable development

A

development that meets the needs of the present wihout limiting the ability of future generations to meet their own needs .

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76
Q

What could be the long term responses of a tropical storm

A

Governments , NGOs and charties aum for sustainable development , this includes ;
-repairing damage to exisiting builinds
-infrastructure and businesses to ensure the country is capable of managaing a future hazard by INVESTING METHOFDS OF PROTECTIOND AND PREDICITION OF TROPICAL STORMS THIS INCLUDES;
-neaw erly warning system or new sea defences .

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77
Q

what does the speed to start and complete a long term response depend on

A

-how much destruction was caused
-the wealth of the country - to pay for the work
-the help available from other countries organisiations and charities .

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78
Q

when and where did typhoon Haiyan occur

A

On the 8th November 2013 at 4:40 am local time , a category 5 typhoon struck the Philippines .

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79
Q

what were the windspeeds for Typhoon Haiyann

A

314kmph

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80
Q

where did typhoon Haiyan cause the most damage and why

A

In Tacloban - beause of the storm surge .

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81
Q

bief explanaiton of the storm cause

A

low pressure and high tempertrues allow sea level to rise and it is then blown inland by the storm .

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82
Q

List a few primary effects of Typhoon Haiyan

A

-6300 killed - most drowned becasue of the storm surge .
-600,000 people displaced
-90% of Tacloban city destroyed
-400mm of rain led to flooding across the whole country .

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83
Q

List a few secondary effects of typhoon Haiayn .

A

-The flooding (from primary effect) caused landslides hampering aid to remote communities .
-6 million lost their source of income .
-power supplies cut off in some areas for over a mponth .
-food shortage , water and homelessness caused spread of disease .
-Looting and violence .

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84
Q

Immediate responses of typhoon Haiyan

A

Government , agencies aid - in the form of food , water and temporary shelters .
-US aircrafts and helicpoters assisted with search and rescue as well as delivery of aid .
Field hospitals set up .

85
Q

What were the long term responses of Typhoon Haiayan

A

-Cash for work progammes were set up to encourage people to clear debris and help rebuild their city .
-A new storm surge warning sytem .
-A ‘no build zone’ along the cast of Eastern Visayas .

86
Q

what does it mean to monitor a tropical stom

A

using scietific methods to watch storms

87
Q

how do we monitor tropical storms

A

satellites - monitor percipitation every three hours between latituded 65degrees north and south of the equator to dientfy high altitude clouds .
A plane - releases dropsondes (sensors) which send measurements by radio back to the aircraft .
Global hawk zones - on board radar and microwaves help scientists with the fomration of tropical storms .

88
Q

what does it mean to predict a tropical storm

A

deciding , based on histroical evidece , what tropical storms will do next ..

89
Q

how do we predict tropical storms

A

2013 NASA developed two new super computers m show the location of the tropical and cn now give five days warning and more accurate location withing 400km .
Track cone- track cone shape allows for error with the unpredictable behaviour of the tropical storm especially if it hits land .

90
Q

what does mean to protect ourselves from a tropical storm

A

ensuring areas can withstand storms

91
Q

how do protect ourselves from tropicl storms

A

-install hurricane straps (galvanised metal ) between the roofs and walls .
-Install storm shutters on windows
-Remove trees close to buildings

92
Q

what does mean to plan before a tropical storm

A

making sure people know what to do

93
Q

how do we plan before a tropical storm

A

preparing disaster supply kits .
-Having fuel in vehicles .
-Knowign where offical evacuation shelters are .

94
Q

what is the meaning of weather

A

day to day conditions of the atmosphere

95
Q

what is the meaning of climate

A

30 yr average of weather in an area

96
Q

what is the Uk’s climate

A

temperate - moderate and mild
cool summers
mild winters
rain throughout the whole year

97
Q

what is extreme weather

A

this is when a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual pattern and is especially severe or unseasonal .

98
Q

give some examples of extreme weather

A

droughts
storms
flooding
cold weather

99
Q

what type of hazards does the UK experience

A

hydro-meteorologial hazards

100
Q

What are hydro-meteorological hazards

A

natrual hazards caused by atmospheric processes and any associated flooding . (droughts , flooding extreme cold weather)

101
Q

what do depressions do in the uk

A

they bring heavy rainfall and trigger flooding .

102
Q

Give an example of a significant storm event in the uk

A

-2013 28 October , cluster of depressions responsble or wind damage
-during st jude storm five were killed and toppled lorries .

103
Q

what are depressions

A

Depressions are low pressure weather systems that produce cloudy and rainy weather conditions.

104
Q

what causes flooding

A

heavy rainfall or strong dwaves brought by a depression .

105
Q

what secondary hazard can flooding trigger

A

landslides

106
Q

give an example of a significant flooding event in the uk

A

2013 Ockley Southern England , 40m away from railway an emankment collapsed due to heavy rainfall , which brought weeks of disruption to London commuters and financial costs for the employers .

107
Q

what is drought

A

extended period of low or absent rainfall relative to the expected average region .

108
Q

In the Uk , when is it considered a drought ?

A

15 consecutive days with less than 0.2mm of rain on any one day .

109
Q

In the uk , what could be beyond 0.2mm of rain

A

insufficent mositure for avergae crop production , especially if low water reserves in reservoirs.

110
Q

Example of significant drought in the UK

A

1975+1976 drought in the UK occured over 18 month period ,
-Cheltenham the temperature exceeded 32 degrees for 7 consecutive days .

111
Q

example of extreme cold weather in the uk

A

wintes of 1946 and 1947 exceptionnal cold .

112
Q

how do extreme cold weather condtions occur

A

extreme cold conditions take over if depressions are not passing over the Uk as usual .

113
Q

what are the weather risks of exrteme cold weather

A

Frost - co=rops and cattle may not survive extremes of -10degrees .
Freezing condiitons - causing transportation issues (117,000 teians cancelled Jan 2014 due to this )
-blizzard conditions also as above and also creates costly airline delays .

114
Q

when was the Cumbrian floods

A

19th November 2009

115
Q

where was the Cumbrian floods

A

On the North West of England , in COKERMOUTH , near the West coast and is on the river Cocker and River Derwen.

116
Q

How is urbanisation a cause of the cumbrian floods , what type of inflicted cause is it .

A

It is a human inflicted cause , In Cockermouth , there is an increase in the amount of impermeable surfaces which increases run off which then , increases the discharge into rivers .

117
Q

How is blocked sewers a cause of the cumbrian floods , what type of inflicted cause is it .

A

It is a human inflicted cause , blocked sewers causes water to rise , causing flooding incidents e.g Elliot Park in Keswich .

118
Q

How is dredging a cause of the cumbrian floods , what type of inflicted cause is it .

A

The rivers had not be dredged for many years , decreasing the rivers capacity which then increases the chance of floods .

119
Q

How is rain a cause of the cumbrian floods , what type of inflicted change is it .

A

It is a physical cause There was a very high volume of rain - 31.4cm in 24 hours

120
Q

What caused the heavy rain in Cockermouth ?

A

-Warm conveyor - warm air from the mid-Atlantic common in the UK during Autumn and Winter-warm air holds more moisture .
-Orographic rainfall - air forced to rise over highland Cumbrian Mountains .

121
Q

What are some additional caused to Cumbrian Floods

A

-Cumbria already received a months worth of rain already before the extreme event on the 17-20 November . So THE GROUND WAS ALREADY SATURATED , so runoff was straight into the rivers .
Steep slopes - rapid run offs

122
Q

What were the social impacts of the Cumbrian Floods

A

-Police officer Bill Barker was killed when a bridge in Workington collapsed .
-1,500 homes were flooded
-Many injured
-river contaminated with sewage brought health risks .

123
Q

what were the economic impacts of the Cumbrian Flood

A

The regional economy was instantly hit .
-Many businesses closed and did not reopen until long afterwards .
-Debris transported by the rivver destroyed six important regional bridges .

124
Q

what were the environmental impacts of the Cumbrian flood

A

-At its peak flow , water erosion by the Riverr Derwent triggered landslides along its banks . The river tore loose nd carried away hundreds of trees , damaging local ecosytems and habitats

125
Q

What were the Uk Governments responses to the flood

A

-Provided £1 million to help with clean up and repairs . In ten days .
-Agreed to pay for road and bridge repairs in Cumbria .
- Network rail opened temppoary railway station in Workington .

126
Q

How did Cockeremouth’s management of future floods at Cockermouth :

A

-£4.4 million management scheme .
-New flood defence walls will halt the spread of the river .
-Funding from Goverment and local contributors .
-River dredged more regularly to deepen the channel .
-New embankments - raise the channel height to reduce the likelihood of extrafloods .

127
Q

What leads to drought and heavy rian in the UK

A

When the weather system , crossing from West to East, althought it fluctuates North and South , it can become stuck thus bringing longer period of extreme weather . From drought to heavy rain .

128
Q

how has rainflal been since the 1980s?

A

Since the 1980s extreme winter rianfall has increased becuse the Atlantic Ocean is warmer causing depressions with more energy and moisture .

129
Q

How is the Earth’s climate and why ?

A

A variety of data from mutliple researchers suggest that the Earth’s climate at current is warming and changing due to human activitiy .

130
Q

according to weather experts at the Uk hadley center for Climate predicition and Reearch , is increase in winte rainfall linked with global climate change prediction

A

yes

131
Q

what is causing droughts in the UK

A

In the UK , temoeratrues are on the rise (1degree) this together with unreliable rainfall has caused droughts.

132
Q

what does the rainfall graph show in textbook ,page 42-43

A

rainfall has stayed the same .

133
Q

what does the temperature graph show in textbook page 42-43

A

that temperatures have increased since the 1960 .

134
Q

what will happen if the temperature rises by 2-3 degrees in the Uk

A

The UK may be faced with warmer nd wetter winters , which leads to more stroms and flooding in the whole of the UK .

135
Q

what is the cycle of the atlantic ocean

A

That the Atlantic Ocean’s temperature goes in a cycle from warm to cold repeating every 600 years .

136
Q

what will happen if the global temperature was to rise by 4-5 degrees

A

polarised capsules will melt effecting air and water current

137
Q

what will happen to the temperature in 100 years .

A

In 100 years , the Earth’s temperature will increase by 3-5 degrees, hwoever , if we’re environmentally friendly , burn less fossil fuels , it will only increase by 0.25 degrees to 1.25 degrees.

138
Q

What has already happened (actual change) ? to precipitation

A

No change in annual UK total . But more winter rain has fallen in heavy events since the 1980s.

139
Q

What is predicted to happen to the preicipttion in the UK ?

A

Precipitation will become even more seasonal . But the annual UK total will stay the same .

140
Q

What has already happened to river flow in the UK?

A

The freqeuncy and mamgnitude of winter river flooding has increased since the 1980s.

141
Q

What is predicted to happen next to river flow in the uk .

A

Some scientists predic that certain UK rivers will flood more in future winters .

142
Q

What has already happend to evaporation in the UK ?

A

We are not sure if evaporation has increased or not , but we do know temperaturess havre risen by 1 degree

143
Q

what is predicted that will happen to evporation in the uk >

A

Evporation wil increase due to higher air temperatures causing more drought .

144
Q

What is climate change

A

clmate change is a long term change in the Earth’s climate especially a change due to an increase in the average atomospheric temperature

145
Q

What are four ways we can see evidence for climate change in ?

A

-Temperature records
-Ice cores
-Tree rings
-Ocean sediment

146
Q

How are icecores used as evidence for climate change ?

A

-Ice cores can be obtaied y drilling into ice sheets .
-Every year , one layer of ice forms on the top of ice sheets .
-Analysis of the gases in the core allows scientists to determine the tempeerature for each of the last 400,00 years . Good evidnce as it is long term so lots of data .

147
Q

What is the problem with using icecores as evidence for climate change ?

A

Most data is collected from Antartica , so not necessarily representing temperature around the globe .
-Air bubbles in the ice can move around , confusing the results for .

148
Q

How are tree rings used as evidence for climate change?

A

Every year , a new ring forms in the trunk of trees .
-By taking trunks and counting the mumber of rings , scientists can work out a tress age .

149
Q

What does it mean if a tree ring is thicker ?

A

warmer and wetter climate .

150
Q

What does it mean if a tree ring is thinner ?

A

Colder and drier climate /

151
Q

What is the problem with using tree rings as evidence for climate change ?

A

Most trees only go back hundreds ofy ears not 10,000 years , so is 50/50 reliable ,
-non-climatic factors like disease and pest and soil quality can effect the size of tree rings .

152
Q

How are temperature records used to show evidence of climae change ?

A

-Temperatures have been measured and recorded globally using thermometers since the 1895s , so it is highly accurate .

153
Q

what is the problem with using temperatgure records as evidence for climate change ?

A

As this collection methood , only started recenlty , we don;t have data for millions of years so beter for short-term rather than longterm .

154
Q

How does ocean sediment show evidence for climate change ?

A

Scientists study the layers of sediments , by analysising the remains of organisms in cores to lengthen the gtemperature record back to 5 mil years ago , so very reliable as lots of data and long-term .

155
Q

what is the prolem with using ocean sediment to show evidence for climate change ?

A

Not easy to acess ocean sediment , so to get full data or yearly data is more difficult .

156
Q

What is proxy data ?

A

natural recordings used to estimate what conditions were like .

157
Q

What is the quarternary period ?

A

the period of geological time from about 2.6 m years ago , to the present . It is characterised by the apperance and development of humans and is split into two epochs .

158
Q

What two epochs is quarternary period split into ?

A

-The Pleistocene epoch
-Holocene epoch .

159
Q

Describe the quarternary period :

A

The quartneary period is often called an ice age due to the presence of a permanent ice sheet on Antartica .

160
Q

Describe the Pleistocene epoch :

A

During the Pleistocene epoch there were cold glacial epsidoes lasting approximately ,100,000 years . Thick ice would expand , covering vast areas of contientns , but then retreat , as each glacial epsiode was followed by a warmer interglacial epsiode .

161
Q

What is a glacial episode ?

A

A colder period of time , with ice expansion , lasting approximately 100,000 years .

162
Q

What is an interglacial episode ?

A

A warmer period of ime , with less ice , lasting for only around 10,000 years between twp glacial periods .

163
Q

Describe the Holocene epoch :

A

-The holocene epoch began when the last glacial expansion ended , and the current interglacial epsiode started . This is what we live in today , There are still sheets of ice covering Greenland and Antartica , but our climate has remained relatively stable .

164
Q

Why do natural recorders (proxy data) have to be used to show evidence of climate change ?

A

As for the era before there were reliable record , proxy data s the only thing we can sue for climate change eividence .

165
Q

Quick evidences of climate change ;

A

-The Earth’s average surface air temperature has increased by approx 1 degree over last 100 years .
-Ocean temperatures are the warmest they have been since the 1850 , and the world’s glaciers and ice sheets are decreasing in size .
-sea levles risenb y 19cm since 1900 and expect to ris e, dut to thermal expansion and ice sheets melting .

166
Q

What is Thermal expansion ?

A

When the sea expands and becomes larger as a result of increased temperature .

167
Q

why is proxy data not reliable ?

A

As these only indicate climate change rather than providing direct evidence of accurate temperatures .

168
Q

What is climate change ?

A

A long term change in the Earth’s climate , especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature .

169
Q

What are the three Milankovitch cycles

A

-Eccentricity
-Axial titlt Obliquity
-Precession .

170
Q

Give a description of Eccentricity .

A

-The Earth’s orbit changes overtime , from being circular , to elliptical .
- This means the distance between the Earth and Sun changes as the Earth orits .
- As the Earth orbits closer to the Sun , the climate becomes warmer , and the opposite happens as it orbits away .

171
Q

What is the cycle length of eccentricity ?

A

The ellipse changes shape every 100,000 years .

172
Q

Give a description of Axial tilt - Obliquity .

A

The Earth’s axis is tilted on an angle . The angle of the tilt changes (from 21.5-24.5degrees ) due to the gravitational pull of the Moon .
-When the angle of the tilit increases , this can exaggerate the climate , so summer get warmer and winters get colder .

173
Q

What is the cycle length of Axial tilt - Obliquity .

A

The angle of the tilt moves back and forth every 41,000 years .

174
Q

Give a description of Precession .

A

-The Earth is not a perect sphere , so as the Earth spins , it wobbles on its axis . (Earth rotates with a gyroscopic wobble .)

175
Q

-What is the cycle length of Precession ?

A

It wobbles on its axis in a 20,000 year cycle .

176
Q

How is the output of the sun measured ?

A

By observing sunspots .

177
Q

What are sunspots , how are they caused ?

A

Sunspots are dark patches on the Sun’s surface , caused by the magnetic activity inside the sun .

178
Q

What is the cycle for more sunspots ?

A

More sunspots every 11 years .

179
Q

Explain sunspots :

A

The more sunspots the sun has , the greater the energy produced . So Earth will recieve more solar radiation , so will have a warmer climate .
-Fewer Sunspots - less energy produced -Earth has a cooler climate .

180
Q

Why can’t however , solar output be responsible for the cause of the climate change seen from the 1970s?

A

Solar output from the sun has barely changed in the last 50 years . In fact , iit has decreased slightly , so therefore it is not responsible for the climate change seen sicne the 1970s.

181
Q

Overall sumary on orbital changes :

A

Together these three orbital changes vary the distribution of the Sun’s energy on the Earth .
-This can mean a significant impact on climate change . -However , scientists suggest that orbital changes would not causea n ice age for at least 30,000 years .

182
Q

Give the first reason why volcanic activity , causes climate change ?

A

Voclanic activity can tempoarily cause climate change .
-Release of Sulphur dioxide - a gas , when in the atmosphere , helps to cool the planet down . As it reflects sunlight causing the planet to be cooler overall.

183
Q

Give the second reason why volcanic activity , causes climate change .

A

Volcanic ash - Blocks sunlight causing the planet to be cooler overall .

184
Q

Give the third reason why volcanic activity , causes climate change ?

A

Releases of Carbondioxide - greenhosue gas ; causes the enhanced greenhouse effect as it traps solar energy , causing the Earth to become warmer .

185
Q

What is the greenhouse effect

A

The greenhosue effect is a natural phenomenon , a process that occurs when gases in the Earth’s atmosphere trap the Sun’s heat . This process makes Earth much warmer than it would be without an atmomsphere .

186
Q

What three gases are involved in the greenhouse effect

A

Co2 -Carbon Dioxide
CH4-Methane
N20-Nitrous Oxide .

187
Q

What would happen if we didn’t have the green hosue effect ?

A

Without the greenhouse effect , the Earth would be approximately 33 degrees colder and thereofre life would not exist as we know today .

188
Q

How does the Greenhouse effect work ?

A

-The Sun’s infrared heat rays eneter the Earth’s atmosphere .
-The heat is refe;ected from the Earth’s surface .
-The natural layer of greenhouse gases llow some heat to be reflected out of the Earth’s atmosphere .
-But some of the Sun’s Earth infrared heat is trapped , which keeps the Earth warm enough .

189
Q

What is the human enhanced greenhouse effect ?

A

The human enhanced greenhouse effect , where human activities have caused the layer of greenhouse gases which naturally exist to increase .

190
Q

Are humans causing climate change ?

A

-Scientists have meausured ad provedt hat naturall causes are responsible for climate change , yet natural causes cannot account for the increasing in temperature since the 1970s.
-The link between increasing carbon dioxide levels and increasing global temperatures - co2 levels have increased since the industrial revolution . So reports say that it is very likely that rising levels of crbon dioxide are the main cause of climate change .

191
Q

How do fossil fuels cause climate change ?

A

-Fossil fuels account for the majority of global greenhouse gas emissions over 50 %.
-Burnign these release CO2 atmosphere .

192
Q

What are fossil fuels used for ?

A

-Transportation
heating homes
-manufacturing industry .

193
Q

How does Agriculture cause climate change ?

A

-Agriculutre contributes to almsot 20 percent of global green hosue gas emmisions .
-cattle Produces large volumes of methane during digestion .
-Methane produced in decaying organic matter .
-Under the water of flooded rice paddy fields .

194
Q

Why is deforestation bad for climate change ?

A

-During the process of photosynthesis , trees absorb carbon dioxide , which reduce the amount of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere .
-The process of deforestation leaves fewer tree to absorb Carbon dioxide .
-Therefore the enhanced greenhosue hases contribbute to climate change .
-Slash and burn used to clear areas of rainforest release co2 contributing to climate change .

195
Q

Whya are forests cut down ?

A

-clearing land for agriculture
-logging for wood
-builidng roads to acess remote areas .

196
Q

What is a carbon footprint ?

A

Thre amount of Carbondioxide released into the atmosphere as a result of the activities of a particular indvidual , organization or community .

197
Q

A few examples of the effect of climate change

A

-Wildlife declines as polar bears and seals disappear with the loss of habitat as ice melts .
-Around 70% of Asia at risk of flooding .
-Skiing resorts int he Alps may close or have shorter seasons as their is less snow .
-South America is expected to decrease in maize soybeans and wheat crop yields .

198
Q

-How does alternative energy production reduce CO2 (mitiagtion strategy )

A

-By using renewale enrgyr resources that don’t use CO2 such as fossil fuels like (tidal , solar pwoer ,w ind and tidal ).
-Advanatage - dont produce CO2
-Disadvanatage - solar more expensive than burning fossil fuels .

199
Q

How does CCS alternatve energy production reduce CO2 (mitigation strategy)

A

-uses technology to capture up to 90 of
the carbon dioxide emitted
when fossil fuels are burnt
-when its aptured it’s then compressed and transported
through pipes to a well
-where it’s injected as a liquid into the
ground
Advan

200
Q

Advantage of CSS

A

CCS could provide 10-50 % of the world’s total carbon mitiagtion until 2100 .

201
Q

Disadvanatge of CSS

A

CSS process ies eexpenvive .

202
Q

What is mitiagtion ?

A

Mitigation means making the impacts of climate change less severe by preventing or reducing the emission of greenhouse gases (GHG) into the atmosphere.

203
Q

How does International agreement reduce CO2 ? (Mtigation strategy)

A

-Countries agreeing on targets that will go far enoguh to manage climate change .

204
Q

Advantage of Internatinal agreement :

A

If it foes to plan , it will reduce the global emision by at least 40% below 2010 by 2050 .

205
Q

Disadavanatage of International agreement :

A

-Not all countres can afford to mitigate climate or willling to sign the agreement like China one of the biggest contributors to climate change .

206
Q

How does planting trees reduce CO2 ?(Mitigation strategy )

A

-Trees absorb Co2 when photosyntheissing .
-Advanatge - could increase forest carbon storage by 28% .
-Planting trees is expensive .

207
Q

What is adaption

A

Adaption strategies are local rather than global , to reduce impacts of climate change .

208
Q

-What adaptions will have to be made in agricultural systems ?

A

-Moving production to another location due to changing temperatures and extreme weather .
-Increasing irrigation in areas due to changing precipitation .
-Chnaging the crops and varieties gorwn and the time of the year they are planted such as drought resitant crops or siwithiching to live pordution whic has more guaanteedreturns .

209
Q

What adaptionsmade to water supplies for climate change .

A

-restoration of mangrove forests to helpa gaint storm waves .
-Houses being built on stilts due to sea levels rising .
-UK-Reducing demand , a free retrofit package or water-efficent devices including aerators .
-Increase supply , Thames opens up desalination plant to increase water supply .