Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Climate
2
Station #1 – Factors Affecting Temperature
Weather – the condition of the Earth’s atmosphere at a particular time and place Climate – The average, year-after-year conditions of temperature, precipitation, winds, and clouds in an area Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation
3
Station 1 Factors Affecting Temperature
Latitude Altitude Distances from large bodies of water Ocean currents
4
Latitude Latitude – equator receives more direct sunlight than the poles In general – areas near the equator are warmer climates than areas far from the equator Can you think of some exceptions?
5
Kilimanjaro
6
Altitude Mount Everest is approximately the same latitude of Tampa, Florida – but it is very cold Much higher altitude The higher the altitude the colder the temperature
7
Ocean Currents El Nino – A climatic event that occurs once every 2 – 7 years in the tropical Pacific Ocean, during which trade winds weaken and surface currents push warm water toward the coast of South America La Nina – A climate event in the eastern Pacific Ocean in which waters are colder than normal
8
Factors affecting Precipitation Station -2
#1 Prevailing winds (Global Winds) Mountain Ranges Seasonal Winds (Local Winds)
9
Seasonal / Local Winds #2 Winds that blow over short distances
Sea breezes Land breezes Monsoons
10
Global Winds Global Winds – winds that blow steadily – from the same direction for long periods of time (prevailing winds) Doldrums – at the equator – virtually no wind Horse Latitudes Very Light winds
11
Mountains Leeward – The side of a mountain
Windward – The side of a mountain that Faces an oncoming wind – more precipitation Air rises, cools, water vapor condenses (clouds) Moisture is released as precipitation Leeward – The side of a mountain Range that faces away from the oncoming wind - Less rain falls here (rain shadow)
12
#3 The Atmosphere
13
The Atmosphere Comes from the Greek word – “atmos” which means vapor
Layer of gases surrounding the Earth (or other body that has enough gravity to hold gases in place)
14
Why is the atmosphere important?
Contains oxygen Traps Heat Protects us from radiation (ozone layer) Protects us from most meteors
15
Composition of the Atmosphere
Nitrogen - 78% Oxygen – 21% All other gases = 1%
16
Layers of the Atmosphere
The atmosphere is divided into four main layers Layers on separated based on differences in temperature
17
Layer 1 (bottom layer) Troposphere
Tropo – means “changing” or “turning” Lowest layer where life is and weather occurs 9km – 16km thick (10 – 15 miles) Temperature Decreases as altitude increases
18
Stratosphere Strato – means “layer” or “spread out”
Ozone layer found here (in the middle of the stratosphere) – Filters Ultra Violet light Skin Cancer Cataracts Abnormal plant growth Temperature increases as altitude increases
19
Mesosphere Meso – middle Middle Layer
50 km to 80km above the surface of the Earth Very cold Most meteors burn up here
20
Thermosphere Thermo – heat Divided into two layers Outermost layer
Temperature increases Divided into two layers Ionosphere Exosphere
22
Station 4 – Blue Sheet By looking at pollen – we can tell what type of plants grew in an area and what type of climate it must have had based on similar plants we find today If an organism today needs certain conditions to live, then a similar organism that lived in the past needed similar conditions
23
Station 4 – Blue Sheet Tree rings can also be used
A – had a long growing season B – short growing season
24
Causes of Climate Change
Solar Energy Short term changes have been linked to sunspot activity (more activity higher temperatures) Earth’s position Earth’s tilt and orbital path changes slightly about every 23,000 years possibly causing ice ages
25
Causes of Climate Change
Volcanic Activity Volcanic eruptions release large amounts of gas and dust into the atmosphere which may may cause temperature changes
26
Station 5 Climate Change
What has happened to the Earth’s atmosphere in the last 120 years?
27
Climate Change Station 5
Major greenhouse gases Carbon Dioxide Methane Water Vapor Increased last 120 years
28
Station 6 Weather Maps Know this symbol!
Isobar – connect equal areas of pressure (millibars) Isotherm – connect equal areas of temperature
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.