Chapter 8: Global Climates and Climate Change – Flashcards
Unlock all answers in this set
Unlock answersquestion
Climate is determined by
answer
Temperature and Precipitation
question
Climate Temperature
answer
average and seasonal changes (temp,range)
question
Climate Precipitation
answer
total amount and seasonal changes Wet year round Dry year round Dry winter/summer (most places) Wet winter/summer (only a few places)
question
What "controls" climate?
answer
Latitude Elevation Continentality (distance from coast) Pressure Patterns Wind patterns Topography
question
Climographs
answer
A graph on which one or more climate variables are plotted for the months of the year Temperature, precipitation, or both Some compare two places Can tell us a lot! Latitude Hemisphere Temperature range Seasonal changes, etc.
question
koppen climate classification system
answer
Quantitative grouping of places with similar climates
question
Near the equator
answer
it's always warm and rainy. The ITCZ is always nearby.
question
As you get farther away from the equator
answer
The ITCZ is too far away to have an effect during winter, so we have dry winters. During summer, ITCZ is directly overhead so we see lots of rain.
question
As you get even further from the equator
answer
The ITCZ doesn't have ANY effect. It is dry year-round. Subtropical high pressure/deserts.
question
Prevailing winds are VERY important in influencing climate: Moist Subtropical Climates
answer
(east coasts of continents/ 25-35 degrees latitude) receive winds off the ocean in the summer (wet), and winds from inland in the winter (dry).
question
Prevailing winds are VERY important in influencing climate: Mediterranean Climates
answer
(west coasts of continents, 30-35 degrees latitude) receive winds off the ocean in winter (wet), winds from inland in summer (dry).
question
Mediterranean (Csa, Csb)
answer
All other zones we have looked at have wet summer/dry winter pattern Opposite here: wet(ter) winter/dry summer Between 30° and 45° Not exclusive to Mediterranean Sea WEST coasts of continents Changing prevailing winds bring moisture from ocean in winter, very little at all in summer This is us!
question
Prevailing winds are VERY important in influencing climate: Marine West Coast Climates
answer
Just like Mediterranean, but cooler and wetter.
question
Mid-latitudes
answer
Dryer climates are often found inland (either from rain-shadows or because they are far from the coast and source of evaporation.
question
High Latitudes
answer
Generally cold and dry (due to prevailing high pressure)
question
Climate Change evidence
answer
Increased carbon dioxide in atmosphere leads to increased heat trapped by greenhouse effect. We are releasing a LOT of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. In the past, earth has been MUCH hotter and MUCH colder (ice ages) Recent uptick (since Industrial Revolution) far exceeds magnitude of any natural function. Melting permafrost: causing a feedback loop
question
Carbon dioxide
answer
any time we burn anything with carbon in it
question
Methane
answer
released from decomposing plant matter Livestock gas and droppings
question
Dendrochronology
answer
Tree rings
question
Oxygen Isotope Analysis
answer
In ice core samples, coral reefs
question
Consequences of Climate Change
answer
Rising sea level (from melting land-based ice). Rising temperature threatening life cycles of plants/animals. More precipitation in some places (increased evaporation), but less in others.
question
Natural Fluctuations (typically colder temps) can be caused by
answer
Fluctuations in solar output Fluctuations in Earth's orbit (Milankovitch cycles) Volcanic eruptions blocking out the sun Disruption of ocean currents
