Splash Screen

1. Splash Screen

2. Earth-Sun Relationships How does Earth’s position in relation to the sun affect life on Earth? Section 1-GTR

3. Earth-Sun Relationships • weather • equinox • solstice • greenhouse effect • global warming • climate • axis • temperature • revolution Section 1-GTR

4. Earth-Sun Relationships • contrast • affects • regulated Section 1-GTR

5. Earth-Sun Relationships A. Tropic of Cancer B. Tropic of Capricorn Section 1-GTR

6. Climate and Weather The relationship between the Earth and the sun affects climate, which influences life on Earth in dramatic ways. • Earth’s tilt is one reason for variations in sunlight. • The angle of tilt affects the temperature, which is measured in Fahrenheit or Celsius. • Earth rotates on its axis, making one complete rotation from west to east every 24 hours. Section 1

7. Climate and Weather (cont.) • While Earth is rotating on its axis, it is also traveling in an orbit around the sun—this revolution takes 365 days to complete. • The Earth’s revolution and tilt cause changes in the angle and amount of sunlight that reach different locations on the planet, also known as seasons. Effects of Earth’s Tilt Section 1

8. Climate and Weather (cont.) • The Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn • When the sun’s rays directly strike the Tropic of Cancer, this marks the beginning of summer in the Northern Hemisphere. • When the sun’s rays directly strike the Tropic of Capricorn, this marks the beginning of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. Section 1

9. Climate and Weather (cont.) • The Poles • At the North Pole, the sun never sets from about March 20 to September 23. • At the South Pole, the sun never sets from about September 23 to March 20. The Earth’s Seasons Section 1

10. The Greenhouse Effect The natural process of the greenhouse effect has been influenced by human activity. • Like the glass in a greenhouse, the atmosphere traps some heat and keeps it from escaping back into space too quickly so that the Earth is warm enough to maintain life. Section 1

11. The Greenhouse Effect (cont.) • Many scientists claim that in recent decades a rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels has coincided with a general rise in global temperatures, also known as global warming. The Greenhouse Effect Section 1

12. A B C D Which of the following do you think has caused global warming? A.A natural cycle B.Human activity C.Both D.Neither Section 1

13. Factors Affecting Climate What factors can affect how climates are distributed on Earth’s surface? Section 2-GTR

14. Factors Affecting Climate • prevailing wind • El Niño • windward • leeward • rain shadow effect • Coriolis effect • doldrums • current • retains • factors • creates Section 2-GTR

15. Factors Affecting Climate A. low latitudes B. high latitudes C. Arctic Circle D. Antarctic Circle E. midlatitudes Section 2-GTR

16. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate Latitude and elevation affect the angle of the sun’s rays and temperatures on Earth. • Low latitudes include the Tropic of Capricorn, the Equator, and the Tropic of Cancer. • The Earth’s polar areas are considered the high latitudes. Section 2

17. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate (cont.) • Midlatitudes: • Between 30 degrees N and 60 degrees N in the Northern Hemisphere, and between 30 degrees S and 60 degrees S in the Southern Hemisphere, are considered the midlatitudes. • The most variable weather is found here. Section 2

18. Latitude, Elevation, and Climate (cont.) • Elevation: • At all latitudes, elevation influences climate because of the relationship between the elevation of a place and its temperature. • As elevation increases, temperature decreases. The Influence of Elevation on Temperature Section 2

19. Winds and Ocean Currents Wind and water combine with the effects of the sun to influence Earth’s weather and climate. • Wind Patterns: • Wind blows because of temperature differences on Earth’s surface, with tropical air moving toward the Poles and polar air moving toward the Equator. Section 2

20. Winds and Ocean Currents (cont.) • Global winds blow in fairly constant patterns called prevailing winds. • The Coriolis effect causes prevailing winds to blow diagonally rather than along strict north-south or east-west directions. World Zones of Latitude and Wind Patterns Section 2

21. Winds and Ocean Currents (cont.) • The Horse Latitudes: • When sailors became stranded in the doldrums, they would lighten the load of the ships, including livestock, so that a light breeze could move them. • These areas then became known as the horse latitudes. Section 2

22. Winds and Ocean Currents (cont.) • Ocean currents are caused by factors such as: • the Earth’s rotation • changes in air pressure • differences in water temperature • The Coriolis effect is observed in ocean currents as well. • Ocean currents affect climate in the coastal lands along which they flow. World Ocean Currents Section 2

23. Winds and Ocean Currents (cont.) • Weather and Water Cycle • Wind and water work together to affect weather—driven by temperature, condensation creates precipitation • El Niño can influence climates around the world. The Influence of El Niño Section 2

24. Landforms and Climate Landforms and bodies of water influence Earth’s climate patterns. • The climate of places located at the same latitude can be very different, depending on the presence or absence of certain physical features. • Coastal areas tend to have less changeable weather than do inland areas. • Mountain ranges have varying weather, depending on the area of the mountain. The Rain Shadow Effect Section 2

25. A B Which side of the mountain is drier than the other side? A.Windward B.Leeward Section 2

26. World Climate Patterns How do geographers classify Earth’s climate and vegetation? Section 3-GTR

27. World Climate Patterns • mixed forest • prairie • permafrost • hypothesis • smog • natural vegetation • oasis • coniferous • deciduous • consists • widespread • exceeds Section 3-GTR

28. World Climate Patterns A. Tropics B. Sahara Section 3-GTR

29. Climate Regions Geographers divide the Earth into regions that have similar climates. • Each of these divisions has its own characteristic soils and natural vegetation. Latitude, Climate, and Vegetation Section 3

30. Climate Regions (cont.) • Climates are organized into five regions: • Tropical climates—these are found in or near the low latitudes—the Tropics. • Tropical wet • Tropical dry Section 3

31. Climate Regions (cont.) • Dry climates—there are two types of dry climates—the desert and the steppe—which occur in low latitudes or midlatitudes. • Midlatitude climates—this climate experiences variable weather patterns and season changes that give rise to a variety of natural vegetation. World Climate Regions Section 3

32. Climate Regions (cont.) • There are four temperate climate regions: • Marine west coast climate • Mediterranean • Humid subtropical • Humid continental Section 3

33. Climate Regions (cont.) • High altitude climates—freezing temperatures are common throughout the year because of the lack of direct sunlight. • Three high altitude climate regions are: • Subarctic • Tundra • Ice cap Section 3

34. Climate Regions (cont.) • Highland climates—high mountain areas, even along the Equator, share some of the same characteristics because of the thinning of the atmosphere at high altitudes. World Natural Vegetation Regions Section 3

35. A B C D Which type of climate is the least arid? A.Tundra B.Desert C.Rain forest D.Mixed forest Section 3

36. Climate Changes Climate changes over time. Although the causes of change are unclear, evidence suggests that human activity has influenced some of the changes. • Burning fossil fuels releases gases that mix with water in the air, forming acids that fall in rain and snow. • This act can cause many changes in climate. Section 3

37. Climate Changes (cont.) • Dams and river diversion can also affect climate. Section 3

38. A B C Do you agree that humans are altering the climate? A.Strongly agree B.Somewhat agree C.Do not agree Section 3