Topic 2- Weather Hazards and Climate Change Flashcards
Define Tropsphere:
The lowest and most dense part of the earth’s atmosphere and where the most weather changes occur.
Define Inter-Tropical;
A belt of low pressure which circles the Earth near the equator where the trade winds of the Northern and Southern Hemispheres join.
Define Convergence Zone (ITCZ):
An area of low pressure that forms due to the action of the Hadley Cell, where the Northeast Trade Winds meet the Southeast Trade Winds near the Earth’s equator.
What is a Jet Stream?
A fast moving current of air in the upper atmosphere. Form mainly a boundaries of the Circulation cells Polar and Ferrel cells where their is a significant difference in temperatures
What happens in Oceanic Circulation?
Ocean currents also transfer heat energy from areas of surplus (Equator) to areas of deficit (Poles). Wind-driven surface currents and deeper ocean currents move warm water towards the poles and colder water to areas, such as the Arctic. Warmer water from the equator replaces the surface water, creating ocean currents, such as the Gulf Stream. The Uk is particularly affected by the Gulf Stream and North Atlantic Drift.
Define Trade Winds:
A wind blowing towards the equator from the north-east of the northern hemisphere or the south-east of the southern hemisphere. Two belts of trade winds encircle andare tropical high-pressure belts near the low-pressure zone at the equator.
What is the Gulf Stream?
It is a warm Atlantic ocean current that is found in the Gulf of Mexico.
What is the North Atlantic Drift?
It is a warm current that brings warm weather to the UK.
Explain Prevailing Winds in the UK?
The Prevailing wind comes from the south-west. This air travels long distances over the Atlantic Ocean, bringing humid weather which creates rain.
Explain the Coriolis Effect?
The defection of air movement by the Earth’s rotation. The Coriolis effect is a phenomenon that causes fluids like water and air, to curve as they travel across or above the Earth’s surface. Southern Hemisphere- The volumes of air get tugged left- moves clockwise. Northern Hemisphere-The volumes of air get tugged right- moves counterclockwise.
What was the Quaternary Period?
The Quaternary Period refers to the last 2.6 million years. There has been more than 60 cold periods with ice advances, lasting about 100 000 years. The last 15000 we have been in a interglacial period.
Define Climate Change?
A change in global or regional climate patterns, in particular a change in the 20th century onwards and the blame has been placed at increased levels of atmospheric carbon dioxide and other Greenhouse gases.
Difference between Glacial and Interglacial?
Glacial-Glaciation Interglacial-Glacial Retreat
What are the Circulation Cells?
Different areas of the Earth receive different levels of heat energy, with a surplus at the equator and a deficit at the poles. They are redistributed through the circulation cells. At the equator, warmed air rises to 15 KM, causing low pressure. The air current divides, cools and moves North and South to form Hadley Cells. The cooled air sinks at 30 north and south of the equator, leading to high pressure. Cooled moves towards the Poles, forming the lower part of the Ferrel cells. at 60 north and south, the warmer air of the Ferrel cells meets colder polar air. the warmer air rises to form Polar cells. This travels to the poles, where it cools and sinks.
Where can we get evidence of Climate change.
Historic sources, such as diaries Ice Cores trap Volcanic ash,microbes and pollen. reveals information on climate when the ice cools formed. Preserved pollen provides evidence on warm and cold growing conditions.
We can also get information from the size of Tree Rings.
How do Oceanic Currents Work?
Cold water descends
Warm water Rises
