Q.5&6 Flashcards
Atmospheric circulation - name the three cells from equator to poles:
Hadley, Ferrel, Polar
Name the cell: Warm air rises (low pressure), travels north + south away from equator, air cools and moisture condenses forming clouds.
Hadley
Name the cell: air on earth’s surface travels towards poles which forms warm winds. They meet with the cd air from 60 degrees and rises (low pressure). Some moves to equator but others to poles. Cold, dry air sinks at 30 creating high pressure.
Ferrel
Name the cell: air sinks at poles creating high pressure. Air then flows on the surface towards the equator. It rises at 60 degrees, when it meets the air from the Ferrel cell creating an area of low pressure.
Polar
What is oceanic circulation?
The large-scale movement of waters in the ocean basins.
Name 3 causes of climate change:
Milankovitch cycles, solar activity, volcanism, human activity (industry, transport, energy, farming)
Name 2 impacts of climate change:
Agricultural production, sea level rise, melting ice sheets & glaciers.
What are hurricanes?
Large rotating storms that form over the ocean in bands either side of the equator. They are an intense low pressure weather system and can cause devastation if they reach land.
What is the difference between hurricanes, cyclones and typhoons?
Depends on where the form. Hurricanes: western Atlantic or eastern pacific
Cyclones: Indian Ocean
Typhoons: western pacific
How does a hurricane form?
Warm water evaporates -> warm, moist air (acts as fuel). Wind causes even more warm water to evaporate into the air. When it cools in the sky, it condenses and become clouds. As this continues to happen, the winds begin blowing in a circular pattern around the centre creating a big cluster of thunderstorm clouds. Once they reach 74mph, it if officially a hurricane.
What are the two tropical storm case studies?
Hurricane Katrina (developed)
Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines (developing)
How many people were killed in Hurricane Katrina compared to Typhoon Haiyan?
Katrina: 1,833 deaths
Haiyan: 7,000+ deaths
What’s the difference between Meteorological and Hydrological (causes of drought)?
Meteorological drought happens when dry weather patterns dominate an area. Hydrological drought occurs when low water supply becomes evident, usually after many months of meteorological drought. Agricultural drought happens when crops become affected.
What are the two case studies for drought?
California Drought (developed)
Ethiopia Drought (developing)
What can cause countries to be vulnerable to drought? Give 3 reasons.
Higher temperatures (evaporation - already struggling with water)
Deforestation (global warming)
Agriculture (needs a lot more water)
Dams (reduces river levels downstream
