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Chapter 3: Climates on the Earth
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Climate and Weather o Climate = Long Term o Weather = Short Term Earth’s Tilt and Revolution determine- DIRECT SUNLIGHT!!!!!!!!! The earth is tilted on its axis 23 ½ degrees. Causes variations in Sunlight. o Amount of sunlight effects Temperature. o Temperature effects life on earth. o Earth’s rotation effects night and day and also temperature. (Duh)
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The earth travels around the Sun every 365 days. The Tilt and Revolution cause seasonal changes in light and temperature. Season - regular differences in light and temp.
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Equinox- “equal night”- spring and fall. Summer Solstice - beginning of summer- longest daylight period. Winter Solstice - beginning of winter- shortest daylight period. Tropic of Cancer - 23 ½ degrees North- furthest distance north that receives direct sunlight. Tropic of Capricorn - 23 ½ degrees South- furthest distance south that receives direct sunlight. The Poles- No direct sunlight!!!Either more or less hours of daylight, depending on the season.
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The earth’s atmosphere performs 2 essential functions o Shields us from most of the harmful solar radiation o Traps heat near the surface to warm the planet Balanced/ regulated conditions. Atmospheric conditions (humidity, carbon dioxide, etc.) will determine how much heat is trapped.
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Some scientists believe that human activities such as burning coal, oil, and natural gas are changing the atmosphere. More heat is trapped by a “thicker” atmosphere. Global temperature rises. Weather patterns will change- more severe storms, more evaporation. Some areas may be hotter and dryer. FIND YOU TUBE VIDEO
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Five factors that determine climate Latitude Elevation Wind Bodies of Water Landforms
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Distance North or South of the Equator. Determines amount of Direct Sunlight. Low Latitude- 0 degrees to 30 degrees north or south. (Tropics) Lots of direct sun year round. o “Same” climate all year. Mid Latitude- 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Variable amount of Direct Sunlight. 4 seasons! High Latitude- 60 to 90 degrees. Indirect Sunlight. Cold! Also impacts hours of daylight.
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Height above Sea Level. Earth’s atmosphere thins as the altitude increases. (Blanket) (3.5 degrees loss in temp. for every 1000 ft. increase) Greenhouse Effect in action.
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Air moving across the Earth. What causes air to move? (Pressure, Rotation) (Warm rising Air = Low pressure.Cool falling air = High pressure.) Warm/cold air is moved around the Earth. Wind also pushes moisture. Wind Patterns- General pattern of air movement. (See pg. 56) Moves from hot to cold and from cold to hot. Winds named for the direction from which they blow. Coriolis Effect- Diagonal movement of wind.
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Ocean currents flow through the oceans. Same factors that cause wind. (See pg. 57) Currents affect coastal climates (Air Temp) Large bodies of water also impact temperature. Water heats/cools slower than land. Coastal regions have a mild climate influenced by the water/air temp. Coastal regions have Milder Climates. Water bodies also increase the humidity along coastal regions. o **Humidity means that evaporation is happening, which leads to condensation and precipitation. El Nino- change in ocean currents which warms the water and impacts weather in the Pacific. (pg. 58)
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The size and shape of landforms determines wind/water movement. (See pg. 59) Air that is pushed up a slope cools and condenses. (Precipitation on windward side) Air moves down the other side and warms and dries as it falls. (Leeward side is dryer/warmer) Rain Shadow- less/no rain on the Leeward side of a mountain. o *This is common of all mountain ranges, especially coastal mountains.
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Four Main Climate Types Tropical Dry Mid-Latitude High-Latitude Each type is divided into smaller ones. Each climate type has its own characteristic soils and vegetation.
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Low latitudes with direct sunlight Tropical Wet o 80 Degree Average o 80 Inches of Rain Average (Jungle) Topical Dry (Savanna) o 80 Degree Average o Wet Season/Dry Season (Grassland)
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Little Precipitation. Found all over the earth!! Desert: o Less than 10 inches of rain annually o 1/3 of the earth’s total land area o Little plant life Steppe: o Bordering on many deserts o 10-20 inches of rain annually
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Variable weather patterns (4 Seasons) 30-60 Degrees N. or S. Seasonal patterns. Less direct sunlight! Variety of plants and animals. Forests o Coniferous, Deciduous, Mixed Grasslands
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No direct sunlight!! Very cold average temperatures Little vegetation. Short, cool summers. Long, cold winters. Sub-arctic o South of the arctic circle o Brief summer growing season Permafrost o Permanently frozen sub-soil o Arctic Circle – 66 Degrees Arctic o Much colder average o Tundra – thicker permafrost o Snow/ice much of the year
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4 ice ages in last 2 million years. Global Climates change slowly during Earth’s history. Cause- unclear. Hypothesis- Sun had less output, or the earth absorbed less energy. (Volcanic activity blocked energy) Human activity- How has man changed climate? See pg. 64Global Warming- is it real?
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