Climate Chapter 17

1. Climate Chapter 17 By: Brittany and Drew

2. Introduction • In this presentation you will be learning about climate. You may learn things you don’t know and some review on the things you do know. We hope you enjoy . • Climate Chapter 17

3. Climate • Before we start you should know what climate is. Climate is the average weather conditions in an area over a long period of time. It is determined by two factors though, temperature and precipitation. • http://www.as.uky.edu/academics/departments_programs/EarthEnvironmentalSciences/EarthEnvironmentalSciences/Educational%20Materials/Documents/elearning/module07swf.swf

4. Latitude • Do you remember the thin horizontal lines that circle the globe? These lines are called lines of Latitude. Latitude is the distance north or south and is measured in degrees from the equator. The temperature of an area is mostly determined by latitude. • http://www.onr.navy.mil/focus/spacesciences/animation/observingsky/kid.swf

5. Prevailing winds • Prevailing winds are winds that blow mainly from one direction. They are influenced on area’s moisture and temperature. They also affect the amount of precipitation that a region receives. If the winds formed from warm air they carry moisture. If they are for formed cold air, they will probably however be dry.

6. Elevation • Do you know what elevation is? It is the height of surface landforms above sea level. As elevation increases then the atmosphere become less dense. So, when the atmosphere is less dense, it’s ability to absorb and hold thermal energy is reduced and temperatures are lower.

7. Surface currents • The circulation of ocean surface currents has an enormous effect on an area’s climate. Surface currents, can be either warm or cold, are stream like movements of water that occur at or near the surface of the ocean. • SchoolTube - Ocean Currents and how they affect the climate

8. Climates of the world • There are three major climate zones of the Earth- tropical, temperate, and polar. Each zone has a temperature range that relates to its latitude.

9. Biome • Because of the various climates in each zone, there are different biomes. A biome is a large region characterized by specific type of climate and the plants and animals that live there. There are ten Earth’s Land Biomes: Tundra, Taiga, Temperate forest, Tropical rain forest, Temperate grassland, Tropical savanna, Temperate desert, Tropical desert, Chaparral, and Mountains. • http://bioactive.mrkirkscience.com/54/swfs/ch54c1.swf

10. Tropical zone • The tropical zone is the warm zone located around the equator. This zone extends from the tropic of Cancer to the tropic of Capricorn. If you didn’t know, latitudes in this zone receive the most solar radiation.

11. Temperate Zone • The temperate zone is the climate zone between the Tropics and the polar zone. Temperatures in this zone are very moderate. • Did you know that this is the zone we happen to live in? • If not, you do know 

12. Back to the Photo Gallery TIME FOR SOME FUN  • What is Justin Bieber’s Full Name? • Justin Drew Bieber • When did Justin start dating? • when he was thirteen  Who is Justin’s future wife? Brittany <3 Music Videos for Justin Bieber – Never Let You Go – Video, listening & stats at Last.fm

13. Deciduous • Deciduous happens to be trees that lose their leaves when the weather becomes very cold. They tend to be broad- leaved. The soils is deciduous forest are usually quite fertile because of the high organic content contribute by decaying leaves that drop every winter.

14. Evergreens • Evergreens are trees that keep their leaves year-round. They can be either broad-leaved or needle-leaved trees, such as a pine trees.

15. Polar Zone • The polar zone includes the northernmost and southernmost climate zones. Polar climates have the coldest average temperatures. This zone stays below zero in the winter.

16. Microclimates • Microclimates are small regions with unique climatic characteristics. For example, elevation can affect an area’s climate and therefore it’s biome.

17. Ice Age • An ice age is a period during which ice collects in high latitudes and moves toward lower latitudes. Scientist have found evidence of many major ice ages throughout the Earth’s geologic history. The most recent ice age began about 2 million years ago.

18. Global warming • Global warming is a rise in average global temperatures that can result from an increase in the green house effect. To understand how global warming works, you must first learn about the green house effect.

19. Greenhouse Effect • The greenhouse effect is the Earth’s natural heating process, in which gases in the atmosphere trap thermal energy. The Earth’s atmosphere performs the same function as the glass windows in a car.

20. Summary • In our PowerPoint you have learned about weather is the condition of the atmosphere at a particular time and place. • Climate is determined by temperature and precipitation. • Climate is controlled by factors such as latitude, elevation, wind patterns, local geography, and ocean surface currents.

21. Continued : • The amount of solar energy an area receives is determined by the area’s latitude. • The seasons are a result of the tilt of the Earth’s axis and it’s path around the sun. • The amount of moisture carried by prevailing winds. • How elevation increases, temperature decreases.

22. Continued: • The Earth is divided into three climate zones according to latitude. • The Tropical zone is the zone around the equator. • The temperate zone is the zone between tropical zone and polar zone. • The polar zones are the northernmost and southernmost zones.

23. Continued: • If global warming continues, it could drastically change climates, causing either floods or drought.

24. THE END 