Download climates of the earth

CLIMATES OF THE EARTH
Why Does It Matter?
• Climate ____________ where & how people _____________
• An understanding of Earth’s climates & the factors, both ____________ & ___________, that influence
them adds to a more complete view of ____________ on Earth
EARTH-SUN RELATIONSHIPS (Section 1)
• The _______________environment affects people & their _______________
• Earths ___________ in relation to the _________ ffects _______________, day & night, & seasons on
Earth, which in turn influence when & how _____________ perform certain _________________
Climate vs. Weather
• Weather - conditions of the _____________ in one place over a __________ period of time (Day to day
_____________ of temperature & precipitation)
• Conditions of _______ or cold, wet or _______, calm or stormy, clear or __________
• Most weather phenomena occur in the ______________ (___________ portion of Earth's
atmosphere) just below the stratosphere
• _____________ is driven by ____________ (temperature and moisture) differences between
one place & another
• Climate - weather _____________/statistics (averages) of temperature, ___________, atmospheric
pressure, wind, precipitation in an area over a _____________ period of time (______ years or more)
• A region's climate is generated by the climate __________, which has ________ components:
atmosphere, hydrosphere, cryosphere (part of the Earth where _______ is in solid form), land
surface & ___________ (sustains life)
• The climate of a location is affected by its latitude, terrain & altitude, as well as nearby water
bodies & their currents
• Climates can be classified according to the ___________ & the typical ___________ of different
variables, most commonly _______________ & _______________
Earth’s Tilt & Rotation
• Earth’s _____________ is one reason for variations in ______________
• The Earth’s “_____________” (an imaginary line running from the N to S pole through the planets center)
is currently _____________ at an angle of __________ degrees
• B/c of the tilt of the Earth, not all of the ___________ receives the ________ amount of ___________
at the same time which affects “_______________” (measure of how hot or cold a place is) of an area
• Temperature is _____________ in degrees (Fahrenheit or __________)
• Areas that receive a ___________ amount of ___________ have ___________ temperatures than
places that receive ___________ direct sunlight (equator=hot---N/S Poles=cold)
• Whether or not a particular place on Earth receives ___________ also depends on the __________ of
the planet that is ____________ the sun
• The Earth “_____________” on its axis every ______ hrs from _________ to ________ (1 complete
rotation---360 degrees)
Earth’s Revolution
• While the planet is ____________ on its axis it is also traveling in an _________ around (revolving) the
sun (our nearest _________)
• The Earth’s ____________ is the path that the Earth takes around the sun which takes ______ days &
____ hours to complete (6 hours x 4 = 1 day---___________ year)
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The Earth’s _____________ & its _______/angle cause changes in the angle & amount of sunlight that
reach different _______________ on the planet at a given time
• These changes follow a regular ______________ & are called “______________”
During the course of a year, people on most parts of the Earth experience distinct _____________ in the
length of ____________ & the _____________ temperatures as the seasons ___________
Seasons are _____________ N & S of the equator or in the Northern & Southern Hemispheres
• If it is ____________ in Europe than it is ____________ in Australia
• If it is ______________ in the U.S. then it is ___________ in Peru
An “_______________” occurs ________ a year (around 20 March & 22 September), when the tilt of
the Earth's axis is inclined neither ___________ from nor ____________ the Sun, the center of the
Sun being in the _____________ plane as the Earth's equator
• Basically the Sun’s rays fall _________ on the equator---March/September “Equinox” (equal night)
• ______ & ______ have the same amount of __________ on this day
• The equinoxes are the only times when the ____________ point (the place on the Earth's surface
where the center of the Sun can be observed exactly _____________) is on the Equator
• This point crosses the Equator moving ______________ at the March (Spring) equinox & crosses
the Equator moving _______________ at the September (Fall) equinox
The Tropic Of Cancer
• As the Earth continues its revolution around the _____, it moves so that eventually the sun’s rays directly
____ the Tropic of Cancer (the __________ point of the Earth to receive the direct rays of the sun)
• Earth/Northern __________ is tilted toward the ________ the most
• Located 23½ degrees ____________ of the ____________
• Receives ________ sunlight around ________ 21st, giving the N hemisphere its ___________
day of the year
• It is also Known as the “_____________” & marks the _________ of summer in the N hemisphere
The Tropic of Capricorn
• As the Earth continues its revolution around the ________, it moves again so that eventually the sun’s rays
directly ___________ the Tropic of Capricorn (the _______________ point of the Earth to receive
the direct rays of the sun)
• Earth/Northern hemisphere is tilted ___________ the sun the ________• Located 23½ degrees ____________ of the Equator
• Receives direct sunlight around ____________ 22nd, giving the N hemisphere its ___________
day of the __________
• It is also Known as the “___________” & marks the __________ of winter in the N hemisphere
The Poles
• The most dramatic _______________ in the amount of _____________ occurs at the _____________
• For _____ months out of the year one pole is _________ towards the _______ & receives continuous
sunlight almost a full _______ hrs, while the other pole is almost in complete ______________
• At the North Pole the _________ never _________ from March 20th to Sept 23rd
• At the South Pole continuous ___________ lasts from September 23rd to March 20th
• Known as the “___________ Sun”, this is a natural phenomenon where the _______ is still up at midnight
• As you move ________ from the poles the days of continuous daylight __________ (Alaska has about 30)
Greenhouse Effect vs. Global Warming
• “Greenhouse Effect” is the ____________ of the ____________ of a planet or moon due to the
presence of an atmosphere containing ___________ that absorb & emit infrared ______________
• The greenhouse effect is a process by which thermal radiation from a planetary surface is ____________
by atmospheric greenhouse ______________ & is re-radiated in all _______________
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Since part of this re-radiation is back towards the _____________ & the lower ___________, it results
in an elevation of the average surface temperature ______ what it would be if the gasses were not present
• The suns _______ pass through the Earth’s ______________ & shine down on the Earth’s surface
where half of the solar radiation is ________________ by the Earth’s surface
• The rest of the ___________ radiation (suns rays) is either ____________ by the Earth’s
surface (________ such as the ice caps reflect & _______ such as the oceans absorb) &
atmosphere back into ___________ space or converted to _________ energy in the atmosphere
• Some of the infrared radiation is _____________ by the greenhouse ____________ (CFC’s--chlorofluorocarbons) adding more ____________ to the Earth---NOT GOOD!!!
Greenhouse Effect is ________________ to sustain _______ on Earth
• Too ___________ heat & things _____________ & we die
• Not _____________ heat & its an _________ age & we die
“Global Warming” is the ____________ in the average _____________ of Earth's _____________ &
oceans since the late 19th century & its projected continuation
• Since the early 20th century, Earth's mean ______________ temperature has _____________
by about ______ °C (1.4 °F), with about 2/3s of the increase occurring since _________
Scientists are more than _________ certain that it is primarily caused by increasing concentrations of
_____________ gases produced by human _____________ such as deforestation & the ___________
of fossil fuels (oil & natural gas)
An increase in ___________ temperature will cause __________ levels to __________ & will change the
amount & pattern of precipitation, probably including expansion of subtropical ___________
• ___________ is expected to be strongest in the __________ & would be associated with the
continuing retreat of ____________, permafrost & sea ice (those things that reflect sunlight
back to space)
Other likely effects include ______________ in the ____________ of extreme weather events including
heat waves, droughts & heavy rainfall, ___________ extinctions due to shifting temperatures & changes in
_______________ yields
• Warming & related changes will __________ from region to region around the __________, with
projections being more robust in some areas than others
If global mean temperature increases to ______ °C (7.2 °F) above _____________ levels, the limits for
human _______________ are likely to be exceeded in many parts of the world, while the limits of
adaptation for ______________ systems would largely be exceeded throughout the world
• Hence, the ecosystem services upon which ________ livelihoods depend would not be __________
FACTORS AFFECTING CLIMATE (Section 2)
• ___________ processes ___________ the Earth’s surface
• Latitude, ____________, wind patterns & ocean _____________ affect Earth’s _____________
Latitude, Elevation & Climate
• During the Earth’s annual _____________ around the sun, the sun’s direct __________ fall upon the
planet in a regular pattern
• This pattern can be correlated with bands or zones of ____________ to describe ____________ regions
• Within each latitude zone, _____________ follows general ____________
Low Latitudes
• Zone on Earth ___________ 30° North to 30° South of the _____________
• Portions of this zone receive the _______________ rays of the sun year ______________
• Includes the Tropic of Cancer, Tropic of Capricorn & the Equator (_______________)
• Climates tend to be _____________ to __________
Mid Latitudes
• The zones on Earth between the ____________ & the ____________ regions, approximately 30° to 60°
north or south of the ___________
• The mid-latitudes are an important region in meteorology (study of the atmosphere), having __________
patterns which are generally _____________ from weather in the tropics & the polar ____________
• Climates ranging from fairly ________ to fairly _______ with _________ seasonal changes (Temperate)
• Weather fronts & extratropical ___________ are usually found in this area, as well as occasional
___________ cyclones which have traveled from their areas of formation closer to the equator
High Latitudes
• Earth's “__________ regions” are the areas of the globe surrounding the poles also known as _________
zones
• Zone on Earth ____________ 60° North to 90° North & 60° South to 90° South
• The North Pole & South Pole being the ___________, these regions are dominated by the _________ ice
caps, resting respectively on the ______________ Ocean & the continent of _______________
• Since the polar regions are the ____________ from the _____________ they receive the
________ amount of sunlight & are therefore _____________
• The large amount of _________ & __________ also ______________ a large part of what little
sunlight the Polar regions receive, _____________ to the cold
• Polar regions are characterized by the _________ climate, extremely ________ temperatures, heavy
____________ wherever there is sufficient precipitation to form permanent _____, & extreme variations
in daylight hours, with ________ hours of daylight in summer, & complete darkness at mid-winter
• Polar __________ ice is currently ______________, possibly as a result of __________ warming
Elevation
• The “elevation” of a geographic location is its __________ above a fixed reference point most commonly
the Earth's _________ level (0)
• Elevation, or _____________ height, is mainly used when referring to ___________ on the Earth's
surface, while “_______________” is used for points ____________ the surface
• An aircraft in flight or a spacecraft in ___________
• “_________” is used for points ___________ the surface (submarine below the oceans surface)
• A _______________ map is the main type of map used to depict (________) elevation, often through use
of _________________ lines
• To determine elevation of a place, it must be ________________
• Elevation effects climate b/c of the relationship b/t _______________ & ______________
• The __________ elevation the ___________ the air becomes so it holds less _________ (and
its harder to breathe)
• Higher elevations tend to be ______________ (Denver the mile high city)
Winds
• __________ moving across the ___________ of the Earth is called “wind”
• Winds occur cuz _____________ heats the Earth’s _______________ & surface _____________
• The ____________ warm air creates areas of ____________ pressure & sinking __________ air
causes areas of _____________ pressure
• The cool air then _______________ in to replace the _____________ rising air
• These ______________ over the Earth’s surface cause winds which distribute the _________
energy around the ______________
• Prevailing Winds - Global winds that blow in fairly constant patterns & blow diagonally & predominantly
from a single general direction over a particular point on Earth's surface
• The dominant winds are the trends in direction of wind with the highest speed over a particular
point on the Earth's surface
A region's ________________ & ________________ winds are often affected by global
patterns of movement in the Earth's atmosphere
Trade Winds - Winds of the __________ latitudes (also called ____________--- Named for their ability
to move trade ships) are the prevailing pattern of ____________ surface winds found in the __________
near the Earth's equator
• The trade winds act as the _____________ flow for ______________ cyclones that form over
world's oceans, guiding their path _______________
• Trade winds also steer ____________ dust westward across the ____________ ocean into the
Caribbean sea, as well as portions of southeast North America
Westerlies – Prevailing winds of the ________latitudes between 35 and 65 degrees latitude which blow
from ________ to __________ poleward of the high pressure area known as the _____________ ridge
in the “____________ latitudes”
• These ______________ winds blow from the west to the east & steer _______________
cyclones in this general manner
• They are ____________ in the ____________ when the pressure is lower over the poles, such as
when the polar cyclone is strongest, & ______________ during the ______________ when the
polar cyclone is weakest & when pressures are higher over the poles
Polar Easterlies - The dry, ______ prevailing winds that blow from the _________ pressure areas of the
polar highs at the north & South poles ______________ the _________-pressure areas within the
westerlies at high latitudes
• ________ trade winds & ___________ the westerlies, these prevailing winds blow from the
_________ to the ____________ & are often weak & irregular
• Due to the low __________ angle, cold air builds up & subsides at the pole creating surface highpressure areas, forcing an outflow of air that is deflected westward by the “_______________”
• They push __________ air into the ___________ latitudes (winter ___________ fronts)
Doldrums - A low-pressure area around the _______________ where the prevailing winds are _________
(______________ band/area)
• The low pressure is caused by the heat at the equator, which makes the air rise & travel north &
south high in the _______________, until it subsides again in the ___________ latitudes
• When the winds are __________ the sea actually has no ___________ & on a clear day the color
of the sky is reflected in the water
• At night the same effect, with no clouds or _____, gives one the effect of floating in space
In the days of wind powered ____________, sailors feared being caught in the _______________
Sailors would throw over ___________ to lighten the load of the ship so that when the load lightened, the
_______ would catch smaller ________
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Horse Latitudes (Subtropical High)
• ________________ latitudes between 30 & 35 degrees both north & south
• This region, under a ridge of high pressure called the subtropical ____________, is an area which receives
little __________________ & has variable ____________ mixed with calm
• The consistently __________, ___________ conditions of the horse latitudes also contribute to the
existence of temperate ______________, such as the Sahara Desert in ___________, the southwestern
United States & northern Mexico, & parts of the Middle East in the Northern Hemisphere; & the
___________ Desert, the Kalahari Desert, & the Australian Desert in the Southern Hemisphere
Coriolis Effect
• The direction of prevailing ______ is determined by latitude & is affected by the Earth’s ____________
• Because the Earth _________ to the east the global winds are displaced clockwise in the Northern
Hemisphere & ________________ in the Southern Hemisphere
• This phenomenon is called the “Coriolis Effect” & causes ___________ winds to blow __________
rather than along strict north-south or east-west _______________
Ocean Currents
• Just as winds move in patterns, _______ & ________ streams of ________ known as “currents” move
through the ___________
• They are caused by many of the same __________ that cause winds including the Earth’s ___________,
changes in ____________ pressure & differences in __________ temperature
• As ocean currents _____________, cold water from the ___________ areas moves toward the
________ warmin as moves towards the ___________ latitudes
• This water forms ____________ ocean currents
• The ______________ happens with water from the equator moving towards the ______ latitudes
• Currents are basically _____________ of cold & warm water that move through the __________
• Ocean currents effect ______________ in ______________ areas along which they flow
• Cold ocean currents ________ the land they pass & ________ ocean currents bring warmer temperatures
El Nino
• An irregular periodic __________ in ______________ & ____________ climate pattern that occurs
across the tropical ______________ Ocean roughly every 3 to 7 years
• Refers to variations in the ______________ of the surface of the tropical eastern Pacific Ocean
(warming & cooling known as El Niño & ___________ respectively) & in _______ surface pressure
in the tropical western Pacific
• The two variations are coupled: the __________ oceanic phase, ____________, accompanies
_______ air surface pressure in the western Pacific, while the ____________ phase,
___________, accompanies __________ air surface pressure in the eastern Pacific
• The extremes of El Niño’s climate pattern's oscillations cause __________ weather (such as ________
& ____________) in many regions of the world
• Developing countries dependent upon ______________ & fishing, particularly those bordering the
______________ Ocean, are the most ______________
• El Niño is defined by prolonged differences in Pacific Ocean ________ surface temperatures when
compared with the _____________ value
• The accepted definition is a ___________ or ___________ of at least (0.9°F) averaged over the
east-central tropical Pacific Ocean
• Typically, this anomaly happens at irregular intervals of _________ years & lasts _______ months
to two ___________
• When this warming or cooling occurs for only seven to nine months, it is classified as El Niño/La
Niña "______________"; when it occurs for more than that period, it is classified as El Niño/La
Niña "_______________"
• El Niño's effects in the __________ Ocean lag behind those in the Pacific by 12 to 18 _________
• In North America, El Niño creates ___________ than average ___________ in the upper
Midwest states & the Northeast
• Meanwhile, central & southern California, northwest Mexico & the southwestern U.S. become
significantly ___________ while the northern Gulf of Mexico states & northeast Mexico are
____________ & ______________ than average during the El Niño phase of the oscillation
• ___________ is ____________ in the intermountain regions of the U.S. but the Pacific
Northwest states, on the other hand, tend to experience ___________, mild but __________
winters & ____________, sunny _____________ springs
• Most of the recorded East Pacific Category 5 hurricanes occur during ___________ years in
clusters while the _______ has less activity that usually pushes off towards the ______ latitudes
The first signs of an El Niño are:
1. ___________ in surface __________ over the _____________ Ocean, Indonesia & _____________
2. ___________ in air pressure over ____________ & the rest of the central & eastern _________ Ocean
3. ___________ winds in the south Pacific ___________ or head _________
4. Warm air ____________ near _________, causing ___________ in the northern Peruvian deserts
5. Warm ___________ spreads from the west _____________ & the _____________ Ocean to the east
Pacific which takes the __________ with it, causing extensive _____________ in the western Pacific &
rainfall in the normally dry _____________ Pacific
Rain Shadow Effect
• A _______ area on the “___________” mountainside facing away from the direction of the ________
• The mountains __________ the passage of rain-producing ____________ systems, casting a "shadow" of
_____________ behind them
• The condition exists because __________ moist air _________ to the ________ of a mountain range or
large mountain, atmospheric ____________ decreases as __________ increases, air has just expanded &
___________ to the point that the air reaches its __________ point (measure of moisture in the air)
• At the dew point, moisture ___________ onto the mountain & it ___________ (rains/snows) on the top &
“_____________” sides of the mountain
• The air ____________ on the leeward side, but due to the process of ____________, it has lost much of
its initial _____________ & does not ______________
• Typically, descending air also gets ____________ due to compression down the leeward side of the
mountain, creating an __________ (dry) region
WORLD CLIMATE PATTERNS (Section 3)
• Geographers ___________ Earth into ____________ that share ____________ characteristics
• Geographers ____________ Earth’s ______________ & ______________ into regions
• Each region has its own characteristic soils & “__________________”
• Natural vegetation - the __________ life that grows in an area where __________ environment
is unchanged by ___________ activity
Tropical Climates
• Found on or near the __________ latitudes (__________)
• Tropical Wet
• ________ & ___________ throughout the year with __________ temperatures of 80°F
• The warm humid air is saturated with ______________ producing rain almost __________
• Yearl rainfall averages _________ inches & ___________ is abundant (Amazon Rainforest--Tropical Rainforest)
• Tropical Dry
• Have dry ___________ & wet ___________ accompanied by ________ year-round temperatures
• Coarse ________ & fewer _________ (Savanna---Africa & Australia) than Tropical Rainforests
Dry Climates
• Dry areas with _______ plant life are called ___________ which usually occur in _________ latitudes &
_______ latitudes
• Deserts
• Yearly rainfall seldom exceeds ______ inches & temperatures vary widely from the _________ of
day to the _____________ of night & from season to season (Sahara Desert in Africa--___________ in the world)
• Natural vegetation consists of ___________ & ___________, plants that tolerate low &
unreliable precipitation, low ______________ & wide temperature ranges
• “Desert ____________” is an area of lush _____________ & water that can support _________
• Steppe
• Dry, largely _______________ grasslands that often ____________ the deserts
• Yearly rainfall averages _______ to ______ inches (little more than the desert)
Midlatitude Climates
• 4 ______________ climate regions that experience variable weather ______________ & ___________
changes that give rise to a variety of ____________ vegetation
• Marine West Coast
• _____________ coast of _____________ America
• Ocean winds bring ___________ summers & cool, ____________ winters
• Abundant _____________ supports the growth of both “____________” (evergreens & cones) &
“______________” (big, bright colors, lose their leaves) trees---“Mixed Forest” has both
• Mediterranean
• Lands that surround the ______________ Sea that usually has ___________, rainy winters &
hot ___________ summers
• The natural vegetation includes thickets of ___________ bushes & _____________ trees known
as Mediterranean ____________
• Humid Subtropical
• Southeastern ________
• Short ____________ winters & nearly year round ____________
• The wind patterns & high pressure related to nearby oceans keep _____________ levels _______
• Vegetation consists of “___________” (inland grasslands) & __________ of evergreen &
deciduous trees
• Humid Continental
• Do not experience the moderating effect of ocean winds due to their ___________ location
• Severe ___________ winters & short ___________________ summers allow for vegetation
similar to a marine west coast climate
High Latitude Climates
• Here ______________ temperatures are ____________ throughout the year because of the lack of
direct ______________ which limits the variety of vegetation
• Sub-arctic
• Bitterly cold ____________ & short cool __________
• Has the world widest ______________ ranges
• “_____________” is permanently frozen subsoil underneath a thin layer of surface soil
• Very little vegetation---________________ resistant shrubs & _____________
• Tundra
• Closer to the __________ with winter darkness & bitter _______ that lasts for several months
• ____________ can not establish roots so ____________ is limited to low bushes & short grasses
• ___________ & __________ is often more than 2 miles thick with temperatures that average
below ___________ & often below ______
Highland Climates
• High ____________ areas that share the same characteristics of _____________ latitude climates
because of the thinning of the _____________ at high altitudes
• The ______________ the elevation the ____________ the temperature
• Natural vegetation also varies from mixed forests at the ___________ of the mountain to ___________
with small trees, shrubs & ________________ higher up
Climates Changes
• Climate __________ over time & although the causes of change are unclear, evidence suggests that human
_______________ has influenced some of the changes
• For example during the last 1 to 2 million years the Earth has passed through ________ ice ages
• Does Human Interaction with the environment affect climate???
YOU DECIDE
• Greenhouse Effect
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Smog (___________ from _____________)
Acid Rain (______________ rain from chemicals used in ______________)
Damming Rivers (hydroelectric power---_______________)
Logging (trees give off ______________)
Extracting Natural Resources (Fish & seafood from ______ & oil & natural gas from the ______)