How are we affected by ocean currents, atmospheric conditions, and the sun?

1. How are we affected by ocean currents, atmospheric conditions, and the sun?

2. Solar Radiation – energy received from the sun • Where do you live and what season is it? • Seasons are caused by our 23.5 degree tilt and our revolution around the sun • Most sun energy is absorbed by clouds, oceans and land masses

3. Solar Radiation Global Atmosphere Land, air, and water absorb and reflect energy from the sun Hot air rises at the equator and sinks when cooled Earths rotation and unequal heating causes global wind patterns

4. Solar Radiation - Atmosphere Regional Weather

5. Atmosphere • Supports life, creates weather and ocean currents • Troposphere (weather layer) • contains 21% Oxygen and 78% Nitrogen • Stratosphere contains ozone • responsible for shielding out harmful rays

6. Atmosphere and water -Water vapor enters through evaporation -Water vapor cools forming clouds (liquid) -When droplets are to heavy they fall as precipitation (rain, snow, sleet) Water is present in the atmosphere in three states: liquid, solid, and gaseous (vapor) Sun drives the water cycle

7. Connecting Atmosphere to Oceans There is an interaction between the ocean surface and the atmosphere above Water holds a huge amount of heat (heat sinks and heat sources)

8. Oceans affecting atmosphere Equatorial oceans absorbs heat from the air Polar oceans transfer heat to the air Both contribute to atmosphere and currents

9. Ocean Currents • Causes • Rotation of the earth • Tides • Salinity & Temperature

10. Our Physical Earth Temperature/Pressure Internal Heat Sources Physical Behavior of Matter: Convection Earth’s Layered Interior: Density/Gravity Plate Tectonics & Change over time

11. Temperature/Pressure Temperature inside earth increases with depth Pressure inside earth increases with depth 1 atm. of pressure = our atm. In water = 33.3ft. Imagine the pressure, 4,000 miles to the core.

12. Internal Heat Sources The engine within that drives our magnetic field, plate tectonics, fuels volcanism, and generates earthquakes… So what are the sources of this heat?

13. Behavior of Matter: Convection Convection in the rocky mantle powers plate tectonics and drives many of the geological processes we observe at the surface.

14. Earth’s Interior: Density/

15. Plate Tectonics: A dynamic surface that is changing 24/7.265….over millions to billions of YEARS: GEOLOGIC TIME

16. Plate Boundaries: 3 Types of plate boundaries:

17. What is an Earth System? • System- a collection of interdependent parts enclosed within a defined boundary. • Within Earth’s boundary are four interdependent parts • Hydrosphere • Water portion of our planet • Atmosphere • Gaseous envelope that surrounds are planet • Geosphere • The solid, non-living Earth (Crust to Core) • Biosphere • Includes all living organisms on Earth

18. Earth Systems • Spheres of Earth are closely connected • An event that causes change in one often leads to changes in others • Birds (Biosphere) fly through the air (atmosphere) • Water (Hydrosphere) flows through soil (Geosphere) • Sewerage (Biosphere) drains from pipes directly into the water (Hydrospere) • Lets brainstorm more as of these interactions as a class!

19. Causes of Change • Events caused by living organisms (Biological) • Oil Spill • Air Pollution • Population Growth • Naturally Occurring Events (Geophysical) • El Nino • Volcanic Eruption • Earthquake

20. Why is understanding Earth Systems Important? • Understanding interactions occurring between earth systems allows people to predict the outcome of events • Determine the environmental effects of building a coal-burning power plant before beginning construction • It is also helps people to prepare for the effects of natural disasters • Determine the environmental impacts of a large volcanic eruption of Mount St. Helens

21. What are some examples of How Earth Systems Interact?

22. El Nino • Event- Every 3-7 years a change in ocean currents off Peru, South America • Cause- Weak trade winds result in a warm mass of water expands eastward to South America • Effects- Increase surface temps in South Pacific • Weather patterns in North America • Alters Global Air Currents • Hydrosphere-Atmosphere • Warmer water decreases nutrient availability for fish • Fish populations are reduced • Hydrosphere-Biosphere

23. Volcanic Eruption • Event-Mount Saint Helens Erupts Underlying molten material from Earth’s Interior increases pressure on Earth’s surface and results in an enormous volcanic eruption • Causes • Melts nearby glacial ice • Kills large populations of plants and animals • Large amounts of volcanic ash are emitted into the atmosphere • Effects • Nearby bodies of water (streams, rivers, and lakes) flood • Geosphere-Hydrosphere • Due to large plant and animal die-offs the food chain is disrupted • Geosphere- Biosphere • Volcanic ash in the atmosphere blocks the suns rays and changes global weather patterns • Geosphere- Atmospere

24. Ozone Depletion • Event - Ozone depletion above Antarctica • Cause • Chlorine and Bromine containing substances (propellants in aerosol cans, styrofoam) are released into the air. • Sunlight catalyzes chemical reaction in chlorine and bromine and deplete ozone • Effect • Increases levels of ultra-violet B radiation around the world • Atmosphere-Hydrosphere • Chronic exposure to UV radiation causes skin cancer, cataracts etc. • DNA mutation occurring in plants • Atmosphere-Biosphere