Unit 3 Cycles and Patterns of Earth and the Moon Flashcards
The long-term average weather conditions that occur in a particular region.
climate
The removal of large areas of forests for human purposes.
Deforestation
A period of below-average precipitation.
Drought
The combined ocean and atmospheric cycle that results in weakened trade winds across the Pacific Ocean.
El Nino/Southern Oscillation
A set of complex equations used to predict future climates.
Global climate model
An increase in the average temperature of Earth’s surface.
Global warming
A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs Earth’s outgoing infrared radiation.
Greenhouse gas
A period of time when a large portion of Earth’s surface is covered by glaciers.
Ice Age
A warm period that occurs during an ice age.
Interglacial
A narrow band of high winds located near the top of the troposphere.
Jet stream
A localized climate that is different from the climate of the larger area surrounding it.
Microclimate
A wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the seasons.
Monsoon
An area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain.
Rain shadow
A measure of the mass of dissolved salts in a mass of water.
Salinity
The amount of thermal energy (joules) needed to raise the temperature of 1 kg of material 1º C.
Specific heat
The detailed mapping or charting of the features of a relatively small area, district, or locality.
Topography
The state or quality of being dense; compactness; closely set or crowded condition.
Density
A _____ is an area of low rainfall on the downwind slope of a mountain.
Rain shadow
Forests often have their own _____, with cooler temperatures than the surrounding countryside.
Microclimate
The lower _____ of land causes it to warm up faster than water.
Specific Heat
A wind circulation pattern that changes direction with the seasons is a
Coriolis Effect
A ____ such as carbon dioxide absorbs Earth’s infrared radiations and warms the atmosphere.
Greenhouse Gas
The specific heat of water is \_\_\_\_\_ than the specific heat of land. higher lower less efficient more efficient
XXXX
Which are warm periods during or between ice ages? ENSO interglacials monsoons pacific oscillations
XXXX
A rain shadow is created by which factor that affects climate? a large body of water buildings and concrete latitude mountains
XXXX
During which even do trade winds weaken and the usual pattern of pressure across the Pacific Ocean reverses? Drought El Nino/Southern Oscillation event North Atlantic Oscillation event Volcanic eruption
XXXX
Which is not a greenhouse gas? carbon dioxide methane oxygen water vapor
XXXX
Which cools the climate by preventing sunlight from reaching Earth's surface? aerosols greenhouse gases lakes water vapor molecules
XXXX
Which action can reduce greenhouse gas emissions? building houses on permafrost burning fossil fuels cutting down forests driving a hybrid vehicle
XXXX
Which is a drawback of a global climate model?
Its accuracy is nearly impossible to evaluate.
Its calculations are limited to specific regions.
Its predictions are short-term only.
Its results are difficult to interpret.
XXXX
The difference in air temperature between a city and the surrounding rural area is an example of a(n) inversion microclimate seasonal variation weather system
XXXX
Which does NOT help explain climate differences? altitude latitude oceans organisms
XXXX
What is the primary cause of seasonal changes on Earth? Earth's distance from the Sun Earth's ocean currents Earth's prevailing winds Earth's tilt on its axis
XXXX
Climate is the \_\_\_\_\_average weather conditions that occur in a particular region. Which complete the definition of climate? global long-term mid-latitude seasonal
XXXX
Which climate typically has warm summers, cold winters, and moderate precipitation? continental dry polar tropical
XXXX
Which characterizes interglacials? earthquakes monsoons precipitation warmth
XXXX
A geographic area on Earth that contains ecosystems with similar biotic and abiotic features.
Biome
