Climate

Weather or Climate Put these words in to two lists under the headings ‘Weather words’ and ‘Climate words’ Drought Drought Wind Speed Wind Speed Tropical Zones Tropical Zones Air Pressure Air Pressure Sunshine Sunshine Cold winters Cold winters Cloud cover Cloud cover Wet summers Wet summers Temperature Temperature Wind direction Wind direction

What is weather… and how is it different from Climate?

What is the difference between weather and climate? Weather is the day to day changes in the atmosphere. Weather is the day to day changes in the atmosphere. Climate is the overall pattern of weather, usually based on an average over 30 years Climate is the overall pattern of weather, usually based on an average over 30 years

What causes climate? Climate is a result of energy transfer among the 4 earth systems. 1.The Atmosphere 2.The Hydrosphere 3.The Geosphere 4.The Biosphere

The Atmosphere The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth The atmosphere is a mixture of gases that surrounds the Earth 80% Nitrogen, 20% Oxygen and small amounts of Carbon dioxide and Argon 80% Nitrogen, 20% Oxygen and small amounts of Carbon dioxide and Argon Has 5 different layers; each has different properties Has 5 different layers; each has different properties 1. Troposphere 2. Stratosphere 3. Mesosphere 4. Thermosphere 5. Exosphere

Draw and label the Layers of the Atmosphere

Atmospheric Layers *from closest to Earth outwards* 1. Troposphere - The weather and clouds occur in the troposphere. 2. Stratosphere - The stratosphere is characterized by a slight temperature increase with altitude and by the absence of clouds. 3. Mesosphere - the atmospheric layer between the stratosphere and the Thermosphere. 4. Thermosphere - starting at the coldest part of the atmosphere and below outer space 5. Exosphere - the outermost layer of the Earth's atmosphere, where atmospheric pressure and temperature are low

The Hydrosphere The hydrosphere is composed of all of the water on or near the earth. The hydrosphere is composed of all of the water on or near the earth. Ocean currents can have a major effect on climate Ocean currents can have a major effect on climate The hydrologic cycle is a conceptual model that describes the storage and movement of water between the biosphere, atmosphere, geosphere and the hydrosphere. The hydrologic cycle is a conceptual model that describes the storage and movement of water between the biosphere, atmosphere, geosphere and the hydrosphere.

The Hydrologic Cycle (sketch and label)

The Geosphere *commonly referred to as the lithosphere* The solid, rocky crust covering entire planet. The solid, rocky crust covering entire planet. The position of the continents on the Earth change as the Earth’s lithospheric plates move (plate tectonics). This arrangement (position) of the continents has a strong effect on the Earth’s climate. The position of the continents on the Earth change as the Earth’s lithospheric plates move (plate tectonics). This arrangement (position) of the continents has a strong effect on the Earth’s climate. Volcanoes release carbon dioxide (a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere) and add dust which can block out solar radiation (decreasing global temperature) Volcanoes release carbon dioxide (a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere) and add dust which can block out solar radiation (decreasing global temperature) When continents collide they create mountains. Scientists believe that this weathering uses up carbon dioxide due to the chemical reactions. (decrease global temperature) When continents collide they create mountains. Scientists believe that this weathering uses up carbon dioxide due to the chemical reactions. (decrease global temperature)

The Biosphere The biosphere is composed of all living organisms. The biosphere is composed of all living organisms. All living things are composed of Carbon All living things are composed of Carbon The Carbon Cycle The Carbon Cycle The movement of carbon among the earth's spheres The movement of carbon among the earth's spheres What happens when CO 2 levels increase? What happens when CO 2 levels increase? What happens when CO 2 levels decrease? What happens when CO 2 levels decrease?

The Carbon Cycle (sketch and label)

What determines a locations climate? Climate is determined by combining the following 7 factors and their effect on Temperature and Precipitation. 1.Earth’s tilt 2.Seasons 3.Geophysical Location 4.Proximity to Oceans 5.Landmass Location 6.Latitude 7.Elevation

Earth’s Tilt The Earth rotates about its axis, which is tilted at 23.5 degrees. The Earth rotates about its axis, which is tilted at 23.5 degrees. This tilt and the sun's radiation result in the Earth's seasons. This tilt and the sun's radiation result in the Earth's seasons. The sun emits rays that hit the earth's surface at different angles. The sun emits rays that hit the earth's surface at different angles. These rays transmit the highest level of energy when they strike the earth at a right angle (90 °). Temperatures in these areas tend to be the hottest places on earth. Other locations, where the sun's rays hit at lesser angles, tend to be cooler. These rays transmit the highest level of energy when they strike the earth at a right angle (90 °). Temperatures in these areas tend to be the hottest places on earth. Other locations, where the sun's rays hit at lesser angles, tend to be cooler.

Seasons When the North Pole is tilted toward the sun it is summer in the Northern hemisphere When the North Pole is tilted toward the sun it is summer in the Northern hemisphere Longer days Longer days Temperature increases Temperature increases Summer solstice = longest day of the year Summer solstice = longest day of the year When the South Pole is tilted toward the sun it is winter in the Northern hemisphere When the South Pole is tilted toward the sun it is winter in the Northern hemisphere shorter days shorter days Temperature decreases Temperature decreases Winter solstice = shortest day of the year Winter solstice = shortest day of the year

Geophysical Locations The geographic features, like mountain ranges, lakes, and oceans affect the climate of that regions The geographic features, like mountain ranges, lakes, and oceans affect the climate of that regions Mountains: can have an effect of precipitation in nearby areas. Mountains: can have an effect of precipitation in nearby areas. The windward side of a mountain chain often receives much more rainfall than the leeward side. The windward side of a mountain chain often receives much more rainfall than the leeward side. Lake-effect snow: Cold winds blow across the still-warm lake water, accumulating moisture as it goes. When they reach the cold land they produce snow. Lake-effect snow: Cold winds blow across the still-warm lake water, accumulating moisture as it goes. When they reach the cold land they produce snow.

Proximity to Ocean The surface temperature of water affects the temperature of the water above it. The surface temperature of water affects the temperature of the water above it. Warm water warms the air and cold water tends to cool it. Warm water warms the air and cold water tends to cool it. Land areas near warm water currents have warm temperatures. Land areas near warm water currents have warm temperatures. The Gulf Stream is an ocean current that carries warm water along the eastern coast of the United States. The Gulf Stream is an ocean current that carries warm water along the eastern coast of the United States. The California Current travels toward the equator carrying cold water along the west coast of the United States. The California Current travels toward the equator carrying cold water along the west coast of the United States.

Landmass Location The is the location of a specified area in relation to the lithospheric plates.

Latitude Latitude is the measure of the distance north and south of the equator. Latitude is the measure of the distance north and south of the equator. Latitude is measured in degrees. Latitude is measured in degrees. Areas close to the equator, or 0 degrees latitude, receive the direct rays of the sun. Areas close to the equator, or 0 degrees latitude, receive the direct rays of the sun. These direct rays provide the most radiant energy. These direct rays provide the most radiant energy. Areas near the equator have a warm climate. Areas near the equator have a warm climate. Polar regions have a cold climate Polar regions have a cold climate

Elevation Elevation, or altitude, is the distance above sea level. Elevation, or altitude, is the distance above sea level. As elevation increases, the air becomes less dense. As elevation increases, the air becomes less dense. This means there are fewer gas molecules in the air and they are spread far apart. Less- dense air cannot hold as much heat as denser air. This means there are fewer gas molecules in the air and they are spread far apart. Less- dense air cannot hold as much heat as denser air. So as elevation increases, temperature decreases. So as elevation increases, temperature decreases.

Climate Zones There are 3 major climate zones according to average temperatures. 1.Polar: 1.Polar: 90 o -60 o latitude, Cool summers, cold year- round, Dry 2.Temperate: 2.Temperate: 60 o -30 o latitude, True Seasons, Variety of climate patterns, Moderate precipitation 3.Tropical: 3.Tropical: 30 o - equator, No winter, warm year-round, High temp, rainfall, humidity

How have climates changed over Earth’s history? Paleoclimate: is the study of climate change taken on the scale of the entire history of Earth. Paleoclimatologists collect data from many sources. 1.Tree rings: trees grow more during warm years 2.Sediment: Look for pollen to predict growth of plants over a specific period of time Look for pollen to predict growth of plants over a specific period of time Deep sea sediment look for isotopes of O 2 Deep sea sediment look for isotopes of O 2 3.Ice core: observed for dust levels, gas pockets and evidence of plant life.

Ice Ages (aka major glaciations) Periods when much of the Earth’s surface has been covered with enormous sheets of ice are called ice ages or major glaciations. Periods when much of the Earth’s surface has been covered with enormous sheets of ice are called ice ages or major glaciations. Scientists have found evidence of four major ice ages during the last 2 million years each lasting about 100,000 years. Scientists have found evidence of four major ice ages during the last 2 million years each lasting about 100,000 years. The average temperature was 10 to 15 degrees C. The average temperature was 10 to 15 degrees C. The causes are not known but they are probably associated with variations in the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun. The causes are not known but they are probably associated with variations in the tilt of the Earth’s axis and the shape of the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

Interglaciation Interglacials are the time periods between major glaciations. Interglacials are the time periods between major glaciations. Interglacials are warm periods. Interglacials are warm periods. During an interglacial, the average temperature was about 4 to 6 degrees higher than the average temperature during a major glaciation. During an interglacial, the average temperature was about 4 to 6 degrees higher than the average temperature during a major glaciation. A cold period called the Little Ice Age lasted from 1500 to A cold period called the Little Ice Age lasted from 1500 to 1900.

Drifting Continents About 230 million years ago, all the Earth’s landmasses were joined in one super continent, Pangaea. About 230 million years ago, all the Earth’s landmasses were joined in one super continent, Pangaea. The slow drifting apart of the continents caused dramatic changes. The slow drifting apart of the continents caused dramatic changes. As the continents moved toward their present-day locations, the sea level dropped, volcanoes erupted, and much of the Earth’s surface was pushed upward. As the continents moved toward their present-day locations, the sea level dropped, volcanoes erupted, and much of the Earth’s surface was pushed upward. The combined effect was a drop in temperature and precipitation all over the Earth. These changes were gradual. The combined effect was a drop in temperature and precipitation all over the Earth. These changes were gradual.

Variations in Radiant Energy Many scientists have tried to relate changes in the Earth’s climate to changes in the sun’s energy output. Many scientists have tried to relate changes in the Earth’s climate to changes in the sun’s energy output. During periods of high energy output, the Earth’s temperature would rise. The temperature would drop during periods of low energy output. During periods of high energy output, the Earth’s temperature would rise. The temperature would drop during periods of low energy output. No evidence has been found to support this theory. No evidence has been found to support this theory.

Global Warming In the mid-nineteenth century industrialization led to the increased burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas. In the mid-nineteenth century industrialization led to the increased burning of fossil fuels, including coal, oil and natural gas. Then these fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide that traps heat. Then these fuels are burned they release carbon dioxide that traps heat. As a result, the atmosphere becomes warmer. As a result, the atmosphere becomes warmer. Meteorologists found that temperatures in the 1990’s were the highest in more than 100 years. Meteorologists found that temperatures in the 1990’s were the highest in more than 100 years.

Short Term Changes in Climate Some short-term changes may be the result of changes in ocean currents and global winds. Some short-term changes may be the result of changes in ocean currents and global winds. Ocean currents help transfer heat to the atmosphere. This process generates global winds. Ocean currents help transfer heat to the atmosphere. This process generates global winds. The global winds help move ocean currents. The global winds help move ocean currents. Any major change in an ocean current can cause a change in climate. El Nino is an example. Any major change in an ocean current can cause a change in climate. El Nino is an example.

El Nino A cold current that flows from west to east across the southern part of the Pacific Ocean turns toward the equator along the coast of South America and flows north along the coast of Chile and Peru. It is known as the Peru Current. Occasionally the Peru Current is covered by a thin sheet of warm water. Every 2 to 10 years, strong winds spread the warm water over a large area resulting in droughts in some areas and flooding in others. A cold current that flows from west to east across the southern part of the Pacific Ocean turns toward the equator along the coast of South America and flows north along the coast of Chile and Peru. It is known as the Peru Current. Occasionally the Peru Current is covered by a thin sheet of warm water. Every 2 to 10 years, strong winds spread the warm water over a large area resulting in droughts in some areas and flooding in others.