Variation in the Earth's Climate Flashcards
What are the key components of climate?
- Temperature
- Precipitation
- Sunlight
- Wind
Where on the Earth is heat most concentrated?
Around the equator due to the curve of the Earth
What effects latitudinal variation in sunlight intensity?
The angle at which sunlight reaches the Earth increases with latitude
What drives global air circulation patterns?
Concentrated solar energy at equator causing updraft of hot moist air
What happens as warm air rises up atmosphere?
lots of moisture due to heat at the equator
moisture condensates as thus air rises and cools down = high rain zones at the equator
What happens to dry air in precipitation patterns?
Dry air picks up moisture from the Earth’s surface
Some dry air travels north instead of going back around
Polar regions have low precipitation
what is seasonality?
Differs between summer and winter due to the tilt on earth’s axis
Stronger seasonality is found where?
Further from the equator
What is the equinox?
Half way point, spring and autumn
Ocean climate and environment key points
- Provide moisture
- Increased precipitation
- Currents distribute hot and cold
- Moderate climate of nearby land
Mountain climate and environment key points
- Influence airflow overland
- Wet on windward side
- Dry on leeward side (deserts)
- Dry air falls over the side of mountain, contributing to formation of deserts and moist areas
Forestland surface has more vegetation, which means?
More solar radiation absorbed which fuels higher rates of photosynthesis and transpiration
Higher transpiration rates return more water to atmosphere and cools Earth’s surface
Lower temp and more precipitation
Deforested land surface has less vegetation, which means?
Less solar radiation absorbed so less photosynthesis and transpiration
Lower transpiration = less water returned to atmosphere so surface heats
Higher temps and less precipitation
