Geography 1001: Climate & Vegetation Instructor: Andrés Holz Agenda for Review Session: T Oct 9 th Review Session Suggestions from a student Read each questions twice Circle the [little] word(s) that are key to that question Think what should be the answer before looking at the choices Start scratching out the choices you know are wrong! Read the whole midterm before writing your answer on the computer answer sheet other questions may help you! Review lecture 1 Chapter 1 Systems a system is any ordered, interrelated set of things and their attributes Open & closed systems» Most natural systems are open Chapter 1 Systems feedback a) Positive b) Negative Review lecture 1 Chapter 1 Systems feedback a) Positive b) Negative Review lecture 1 Energy from Sun to Earth 2) Radiant or Solar energy in portions of the electromagnetic spectrum i.e. Electromagnetic Energy Figure 2.8 1
Questions The dominant wavelength of energy emitted by the sun is a) Shorter than that emitted by the Earth. b) Longer than that emitted by the Earth. c) The same length as that emitted by the Earth. d) It consists exclusively of radiant energy made of gamma ray, X-ray, and ultraviolet wavelengths e) B and D The Seasons Review Lecture 2 Seasonality (3) Sun s altitude above the horizon Sun s declination (latitude of the subsolar point) Daylength during the year Review Lecture 2 What causes the seasons? Reasons for seasons (5) Revolution Rotation Axial Tilt Axial Parallelism (Earth) Sphericity results in uneven insolation Questions Which of the following best explain the changing seasons? a) Perihelion and aphelion (Earth s varying distance to the sun) b) Axial parallelism or Polarity (the fact that the Earth s axis maintains its alignment during Earth s orbit around the Sun) c) Earth s revolution d) B and C only e) All of the above Review Lecture 3 Chapter 3 Atmosphere profile across latitudes 3 Criteria for the atmosphere structure Composition Heterosphere outer atmosphere Homosphere inner atmosphere 4 more important (stable) atmospheric components» N 2 ~78%; 0 2 ~21%; Ar~0.9%; CO 2 ~0.04% Temperature Thermosphere Mesosphere Stratosphere Troposphere: 90% mass of atmosphere (18 km/11 ml) Function Ionosphere Ozonosphere Review Lecture 3 Chapter 3 Atmospheric pressure, weight, & gravity Atm Pressure => Atm weight Relationship among Altitude Gravity Particles density Components Ozone concentration Cl is the one that destroys the O 3 molecule (Cl last for ~100yrs) Natural Sources Fires, volcanoes, plants, oceans, etc. Natural Factors That Affect Air Pollution Winds, topography, etc. Anthropogenic Pollution CO, Photochemical smog, Acid deposition (acid rain) Benefits of the Clean Air Act Emission Trends improved (1970-1990; US EPA Study) 2
Question The part of the atmosphere that shields Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation is the. 1) tropopause 2) troposphere 3) mesosphere 4) ozonosphere 03.02 The part of the atmosphere that shields Earth's surface from harmful ultraviolet radiation is the. 1) tropopause 2) troposphere 3) mesosphere 4) ozonosphere Review lecture 4 Chapter 4: Energy balance Energy pathways Transmission (passage of E through a medium) Scattering (diffuse radiation; change of light direction w/o wavelength change) Refraction (change of both light direction & wavelength) Like a prism or crystal» Refraction and rain drops» Refraction and different Temps (densities) Review lecture 4 Chapter 4: Energy balance Energy principles Insolation (amounts of E [direct & diffuse] that reaches earth and determines ecosystem types; e.g. max Insolation results in desserts) Reflection returned without being absorbed Albedo= reflectivity quality & it s f [color and texture] Role of clouds in albedo (low elevation)- and greenhouse (high elevation)-forcing effect Absorption (& heat transfer) Conversion of radiation from one form to another (e.g. short- to long-wave radiation) Review lecture 4 Chapter 4: Energy balance Radiation: E traveling through air/space Conduction Molecule to molecule transfer of heat through a medium As molecules warm vibration collisions motion in neighboring molecules transfer of heat (from hot to cold). All (Gases, liquid & solid) conduct sensible heat Gases and liquids also transfer heat by actual physical movements of the molecules Convection Energy transferred by vertical movement Advection Energy transferred by horizontally movement Questions The sky is blue because a) Dust in the atmosphere changes the black color of space to sky blue. b) Gasses in the atmosphere scatter blue light. c) Light reflects off of the oceans d) Light from the sun is mainly blue. 3
Questions is the passage of shortwave and longwave energy through either the atmosphere or water. Questions is the passage of shortwave and longwave energy through either the atmosphere or water. 1) Transmission 2) Scattering 3) Absorption 4) Refraction 1) Transmission 2) Scattering 3) Absorption 4) Refraction Review Lecture 5 Chapter 4: Energy balance Energy balances in the troposphere The Greenhouse Effect and Atmospheric Warming» Atmosphere absorbs heat energy» Greenhouse traps heat vs. Atmosphere delays transfer of heat Clouds and Earth s Greenhouse (high vs. low elevation clouds) Earth Atmosphere Radiation Balance Review Lecture 5 Chapter 4: Energy balance Energy balances in the troposphere at earth s surface Daily Radiation Patterns Simplified Surface Energy Balance Daily Radiation Patterns Review Lecture 5 Temperature Concepts and Measurement (scales) Principal Temperature Controls Latitude Affects insolation Altitude High altitude has greater daily range High altitude has lower annual average Cloud Cover High albedo Moderate temperatures cooler days, warmer nights Land-Water differences Figure 4.15 4
Review Lecture 5 Land Water Heating Differences Evaporation Transparency Specific heat Movement Sea-surface temperatures Continentality & Maritime effects Review Lecture 5 Earth s Temperature Patterns January Temperature Map Thermal equator movement southward More pronounced over large continents July Temperature Map Thermal equator movement northward More pronounced over large continents Annual Temperature Range Map Continentality Question Generally speaking, water changes temperature more slowly than soil or rock because of its higher. Question Generally speaking, water changes temperature more slowly than soil or rock because of its higher. 1) specific temperature 2) volume 3) absolute heat 4) specific heat 1) specific temperature 2) volume 3) absolute heat 4) specific heat Review Lecture 6 Review Lecture 6 Air pressure and winds Wind Essentials Air pressure Gravity Motion, size and number temperature & density density and Its Measurement Mercury barometer Aneroid barometer Wind Description and Measurement Driving Forces within the Atmosphere Responsible for vertical winds Gravity force Responsible for horizontal winds Pressure Gradient (Force; PGF) Can get the wind going from zero: Pressure gradient results from Diff in Temp & Density of air» Cold air more dense heavier sinks higher P» Hot air less dense lighter rises lower P 5
Global wind direction: in a Non-rotating earth Review Lecture 6 Driving Forces within the Atmosphere Responsible for horizontal winds Can only affect objects when already moving: Coriolis Effect (Acceleration)» Deflection effect of anything that is moving (air, ocean streams, airplanes, etc..) due to the rotating effect of our earth.» Coriolis pulls toward a 90 from the wind movement (to the wind s right in the NH & vice versa in SH)» Its strength is a function of speed of wind (the slower the wind the weaker the Coriolis) Review Lecture 6 Driving Forces within the Atmosphere Responsible for horizontal winds Can only affect objects when already moving: Coriolis Effect (Acceleration) At higher elevation (in the Upper Atmosphere), Coriolis is at balance with PGF: Geostrophic balance winds remain between isobars. At lower elevation, winds gets in contact with mountains and earth surface friction» Friction drags wind bag (slows it down) weakens Coriolis geostrophic balance breaks winds crosses Isobars. Question A bird at F traveling with the predominant winds would, most likely, end up near. 1) A 2) D 3) I 4) J Question A bird at F traveling with the predominant winds would, most likely, end up near. 1) A 2) D 3) I 4) J Review Lecture 7 Atmospheric Patterns of Motion Hadley Cells, Ferrel Cells, & Polar Cells Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Areas Equatorial low-pressure trough Inter-Tropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) Trade winds Polar high-pressure cells Polar easterlies Antarctic high 6
Review Lecture 7 Atmospheric Patterns of Motion Hadley Cells, Ferrel Cells, & Polar Cells Primary High-Pressure and Low-Pressure Areas Subtropical high-pressure cells Westerlies Bermuda high Azores high Pacific high Subpolar low-pressure cells Aleutian low Icelandic low Polar front Figure 6.13 General Atmospheric Circulation General Atmospheric Circulation Review Lecture 7 Atmospheric Patterns of Motion Upper Atmospheric Circulation: Earth s rotating is responsible for Rossby waves Jet stream: Its characteristics depend on Seasonality Location of high and low pressure systems Warm and cold air Figure 6.13 Review Lecture 7 Local Winds Day vs. Night patterns Land-sea breezes Mountain-valley breezes Question Point = a thermal high pressure area. 1) B 2) D 3) F 4) H 7
Question Point = a thermal high pressure area. 07.01 1) B 2) D 3) F 4) H A lapse rate is a change of with height. 1) wind speed 2) relative humidity 3) temperature 4) pressure 07.01 A lapse rate is a change of with height. 08.03 The process of occurs when air is forcibly pushed up a mountain slope. 1) wind speed 2) relative humidity 3) temperature 4) pressure 1) orographic 2) convection 3) convergent 4) frontal 08.03 The process of occurs when air is forcibly pushed up a mountain slope. 1) orographic 2) convection 3) convergent 4) frontal Review Lecture 9 Air Masses Moisture Temperature F (latitude) Modification (e.g. lake effects) Atmospheric Lifting Mechanisms Convergent (e.g. ITCZ) Convectional (e.g. parking lot) Orographic Frontal Cold & warm fronts 8
Review Lecture 9 Midlatitude Cyclonic Systems Migrating low-pressure with converging, ascending air in spirals Generated by PGF, Coriolis, and Friction Life cycle of a mid-latitude cyclone Cyclogenesis (Birth) Open Stage Occluded stage Dissolving stage (Death) Review Lecture 9 Water Resources: The Hydrologic Cycle Water Withdrawal by Sector 08.07 fronts travel faster than fronts. 1) Cold/warm 2) Warm/cold 3) Stationary/ occluded 4) Midlatitude/ tropical Figure 9.21 08.07 fronts travel faster than fronts. 09.10 On a worldwide basis, the majority of water withdrawal occurs for use. 1) Cold/warm 2) Warm/cold 3) Stationary/ occluded 4) Midlatitude/ tropical 1) industrial 2) domestic 3) agricultural 4) urban 9
09.10 On a worldwide basis, the majority of water withdrawal occurs for use. 1) industrial 2) domestic 3) agricultural 4) urban Review Lecture 11 Climate components & relationships Insolation Temperature Pressure Air Masses Precipitation Köppen Climate Classification Hierarchical Criteria Average monthly temperatures Average monthly precipitation Total annual precipitation Review Lecture 11 Climate components & relationships Köppen Climate Classification Hierarchical Criteria Benefits It correlates reasonably with actual world Standard worldwide and readily available data Drawbacks Winds, temps extremes, precipitation intensity, amount of sunshine, cloud cover, or net radiation The causes of precipitation or temperature patterns Classification Categories (based purely on temperature criteria) Köppen-Geiger Climate System Earth s Climate Classification A-Tropical equatorial & tropical latitudes, humid & warm C-Mesothermal mid-latitudes, mild winters D-Microthermal mid- & high-latitudes, cold winters E- Polar high latitudes and polar regions, no warm seasons H- Highland compares to lowlands at the same latitude, highlands have lower temperatures B-Desert permanent moisture deficits*. More Transpiration than Precipitation 10.01 The climates have virtually no winter due to consistent daylength and an almost perpendicular sun angle. 10.01 The climates have virtually no winter due to consistent daylength and an almost perpendicular sun angle. 1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D 1) A 2) B 3) C 4) D 10
Climate anomalies: natural climate change El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO) Fisheries Change in the water temperatures of the tropical pacific El Niño: Movement of tropical warm waters in the Pacific ocean from W to E. La Niña: Movement of tropical warm waters in the Pacific ocean from E to W, Each phase last ~6-18 months (& average periodicity of whole cycle is ~3-6 years) Also the best known oscillation (so far). Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) Fisheries Long-lived El Niño-like pattern of Pacific climate variability Operates on longer 20 to 30 year periods Climate anomalies: natural climate change North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) Large scale pressure anomaly between the polar low and the subtropical high during the winter season (December through March) Operates on 20 to 30 year periods, also Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) Occurs in Atlantic between the equator and Greenland A multidecadal (50-70 year timescale) pattern of North Atlantic oceanatmosphere variability When the AMO is positive (warm Atlantic) there is less rainfall over most of the United States During warm phases of the AMO, the numbers of tropical storms that mature into severe hurricanes is much greater than during cool phases Questions Natural climatic anomalies influence our atmosphere and earth s climate. A couple of them where first noticed by coastal fisheries. Which of these latter anomalies is least understood these days PDO AMO ENSO NAO AAO 11