Weather Hazards And Climate Change Flashcards
Why are certain parts of the Earth Hotter
The equator is the hottest as the sun’s radiation hits it directly and is concentrated towards one point, where as further near the poles the radiation is spread out.
What happens when Hot Air Rises
Low pressure is created
What happens when Cool Air Sinks
High Pressure is created
What happens at the Hadley Cell (0)
Hot air from the equator rises, forming low pressure. This air then condenses and cools, forming rainy clouds (Amazon Rainforests),
What happens at the Ferrel Cell (30)
The cool air sinks, forming high pressure and is then either transferred to the poles or back to the equator
What are Trade Winds
These are winds that blow from the SE and NE (30) back to the equator tone reheated.
What happens at the Polar Cell (60)
Hot air meets cooler air leading to the hot air rising forming low pressure
What are Ocean Currents
These are currents in the sea that transfer heat e.g from the Gulf Stream to Europe
How do Ocean Currents Work
Cold Water is more dense meaning it sinks. This means warmer air takes its place and warms the area. When the warm air becomes cool it sinks ad the cycle starts again
What is the Quaternary Period
Where the global atmosphere shifted between cold glacial periods to warmer interglacial periods
What is Climate Change
A significant change in the earth’s climate over a long period of time
How can Scientists check for Climate Change
Ice Cores - drill ice and the gases inside tell them the temperature
Tree Rings - thicker rings mean wetter conditions
Pollen Records - pollen gets preserved in peat bogs then scientists see what species were alive to see what the atmosphere was like
What is the Milankovitch Cycle and What are the Different Theories
These are variations in the way the Earth moves as it orbits the sun:
Ellipse - the earth rotates from a perfect circle to an ellipse every 94,000 years
Tilt - the angle of the earth’s tilt changes every 41,000 years
Wobble - the axis of the earth wobbles differently every 22,000 years
These all affect the amount radiation on earth
What are Sun Spots
These are cooler areas on the sun that appear black. More of these mean the sun’s radiation is hotter.
What is the Greenhouse Effect
This is where gases form an insulation belt and keep heat inside causing global warming.
What are example of Greenhouse Gases
Methane
Carbon Dioxide
CFC’s
What are the different wave lengths of Input and Output Waves
Input Waves - shorter wavelength
Output Wave - longer wavelength
How are Humans making the Greenhouse Effect Stronger
Industry - releases more Carbon Dioxide and Methane
Transport - releases Carbon Dioxide
Agriculture - cows release methane, and rice paddies trees are cut down, meaning less Carbon Dioxide is absorbed
What is the difference in weather between the North and South
South receives warm air from the Gulf Stream
North is mountainous and rains a lot
Where does the prevailing wind in the UK come from
South West
What are the different Air Masses (Starting From The North Clockwise)
Arctic Maritime - Cold and Wet
Polar Continental - Cold and Dry
Tropical Continental - Warm and Dry
Tropical Maritime - Warm and Wet
Polar Maritime - Cold and Wet
How are Tropical Cyclones formed
They are formed over warm seas that release moist air causing low-pressure and huge clouds
What happens when a Tropical Cyclone goes on land
It loses its energy as there’s no warm water
What way do Tropical Cyclones move to
West
What is the Structure of a Tropical Cyclone
Eye - no rain, winds or high pressure. However, it has a high temperature
Eye Wall - strong winds, heavy rain and very strong winds. However, low temperature.
What are Affects of Tropical Cyclones
High Wind - in the eyewall
Heavy Rainfall - as the warm air rises, it condenses and forms heavy rainfall.
Coastal Flooding
Storm Surges - where the low pressure picks up the water and pushes it towards the sea
What is an Arid Environment
Areas with low rainfall and high temperatures such as Deserts.
What are the Characteristics of Arid Environments
Sparse plants growth
Little rainfall
Infertile Soil
Low water supplies
What is a Drought
Severe water shortages in a particular area
What are the Affects of Drought
Depleted water sources - as more people rely on them
High Temperatures - more water evaporation
Dry Soil - more vulnerable to erosion
Contamination of freshwater sources
Vegetation becomes dry
What are the 3 Different reasons Drought are caused by
Meteorological - Changes in atmospheric circulation lead to low rainfall and hot temperatures
Hydrological - lack of water in Dams and Reservoirs due to evaporation causes Drought
Human - Intensive farming leads to too much water being used. Deforestation also means less water can be stored in the soil
