'Weather Hazard' Key Words Flashcards
Aid
Money, goods and services given by single governments or an organ like the World Bank or IMF to help the quality of life and economic of another country.
Atmosphere
A highly complex mass of gasses, liquids and solids ghat envelopes the Earth
Atmospheric circulation
Circular movement of air within Earth’s atmosphere
Cells
Section of Earth’s atmosphere where air moves in circular motions, together these form the overall circulation of Earth’s atmosphere
Climate
The average weather over a long period of time
Climate change
A long-term change in the Earth’s climate, especially a change due to an increase in the average atmospheric temperature
Coriolis effect
The spinning effect caused by the rotation of the Earth
Cyclone shelter
Accommodation for people who have been evacuated from areas threatened by cyclones (tropical storms), often built from strong concrete and on stilts to prevent flooding
Equator
An imaginary line that divides Earth’s surface into a northern and southern hemisphere
Evacuation
Movement of people away from danger to a place of safety
Extreme weather
When a weather event is significantly different from the average or usual weather pattern, and is especially severe or unseasonal.
Eye (of the storm)
A small area at the centre of a storm where relatively cold air descends rapidly.
Eye wall
The outer edge of the eye of a storm where the most intense weather condition occur.
Flood risk
The predicted likelihood and frequency of floods in an area.
Flood
Where river discharge exceeds river channel capacity and water spills onto the floodplain.
Global warming
The increase of global temperatures
Latitude
Lines that run parallel to the Earth’s equator, measured in degrees.
Hazard prediction
Using historical evidence and monitoring, scientists can make predictions about when and where a hazard may happen.
Pressure belts
Zones of either high or low pressure that encircle the Earth between circulation cells.
Protection
Actions taken before a hazard strikes to reduce its impact, such as educating people or improving building design
Saffir-Simpson scale
Scale used to measure the strength of hurricanes based on wind speed.
Storm surge
A wall of water often 3-5 meters high
Adaptation
Actions taken to adjust to natural events such as climate change, to reduce damage, limit the impacts, take advantage of opportunities, or cope with the consequences.
Atmosphere
A high complex mass of gasses, liquids and solids that envelopes the Earth
Carbon sinks
The removal of CO2 from the atmosphere
Orbital change
The path of the earth as it orbits the sun
Enhanced greenhouse effect
The increased effectiveness of the greenhouse effect, believed to be the cause of recent global warming
Fossil fuel
A natural fuel such as coal or gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms.
Greenhouse effect
The blanketing effect of the atmosphere in retaining heat given off from the Earth’s surface
Greenhouse gasses
Atmospheric gasses such as carbon dioxide and methane that can absorb heat
Mitigation
Action taken to reduce the long-term risk from natural hazards, such as earthquake-proof buildings or international agreements to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
Quaternary period
The geological time period that covers the last 2.6 million years.
Renewable energy
A resource that cannot be exhausted i.e. wind, solar and tidal energy
Volcanic eruption
When volcanoes blast ash, gasses and liquids onto the Earth’s surface and atmosphere
