Test 3 Flashcards
isobars
are lines of equal pressure placed on a map to indicate areas of high and low pressure and how pressure changes from one location to another
CF is an apparent force
due to earths rotation=no real force is being applied
N. hemisphere
right
S. hemisphere
left
CF is at max at
the poles
CF is zero at
equator
CF is proportional to
the speed at the object being deflected-greater wind speed, greater deflection
on a homogeneous (all land or water), non rotating earth
H pressure would be at poles, and L pressure would be at equator
intertropical convergence zone (ITCZ)
convergence of surface air near the equator
*look over paper at wind belts and cells
*
geostrophic winds
PGF and CF act together balance
jet stream
greatest area of PGF causes a “river” of fast moving air
zonal
W to E geostropic winds
meriodional
N to S
friction reduces wind speed, lower wind speed=
=lower CF
cross-isobaric flow
PGF>CF
*need to know where Gulf stream, canary current, cali current, peru/humbolt current
*
Low pressure
converges at center, diverges aloft, upward motion, cyclonic flow
high pressure
diverges at center, converges aloft, downward motion, anti cyclonic flow
ocean currents are result of
coastline shapes and density differences
thermohaline circulation
energy distribution mechanism, moves warmer surface pole-ward and colder bottom water equator-ward, driven by density differences in N Atlantic ocean
El Nino
warming of Pacific ocean surface near coast of Peru in Dec, upwelling is decreased, trade winds less powerful
La Nina
cooling, cycle of every 3-7 yrs, upwelling increased
upwelling/downwelling
surface ocean currents “pile up” water or remove water along coastlines
