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Most of the energy produced by the sun never reaches the Earth. 31% reflected into outer space. 20% is absorbed by the atmosphere. 49% is absorbed by the ground and helps the hydrologic cycle to run. Less than 1% drives the wind and the ocean currents. 0.02% is captured for photosynthesis. Energy then is lost as infrared radiation (reradiation). The Sunof the Earth’s surface. Albedo: The reflective property Glaciers and ice sheets reflect 80 to 90% of the sunlight that hits their surfaces. Asphalt and buildings have low Albedos and reflect 10 –15%. Oceans and forests reflect only about 5%. Atmospheric Circulation • Coriolis Effect: Earth’s rotation from West to East causes air to move to the right of the direction in which its traveling in the northern hemisphere and to the left in the southern hemisphere. Atmospheric Circulation Winds: complex horizontal movements of the atmosphere. EL NIÑO (ENSO) EL NIÑO Southern Oscillation event is a periodic warming of surface waters of the tropical East Pacific that alters both ocean & atmospheric circulation. LA NIÑA: surface water in the eastern Pacific becomes unusually cool. ENSO flooding? Climate associated with EL NIÑO Coastal upwelling weakens during ENSO events. Climate: average weather conditions Weather • The condition of the atmosphere at a given place and time. (Short term) Rain Shadow Effect… West coast of North America Tornadoes Local, INTENSE storms which come from thunderstorms. Wind speed up to 300 mph (F5) Hurricanes • Massive, large, tropical storms. • Also known as… • Cyclones (Indian Ocean) • Typhoons (Pacific) • Avg. diameter is 300 miles • Winds 74 mph or greater • Categories 1-5 Plate boundary Hotspo t Mt. Pinatubo Divergent: Movement apart Convergent/subduction Transform Plate Boundary – Plates move horizontally in opposite directions.