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Climate and Climatic Change. Chapter 8 Intro 2 Lab 14. Climate vs Weather . Climate : refers to the average weather patterns of an area over decades Climate influences everything humans do?. Classification of climates . We clasify Climates on their temperatures and precipitation
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Climate and Climatic Change Chapter 8 Intro 2 Lab 14
Climate vs Weather • Climate: refers to the average weather patterns of an area over decades • Climate influences everything humans do?
Classification of climates • We clasify Climates on their temperatures and precipitation • Seasonal Climatic differences “ rainy season, dry season” • We divide climate in 5 major Groups? • Page 231 Lab book.
Climate Factors Factors can Astronomical and Geological • Solar Radiation • Latitude and seasons • Global Wind Patterns • Ocean Currents • Mountains • Surface Reflectivity • Atmospheric composition • Astronomical Factors “ Milankovitch Cycle”
Solar Radiation • Sun gives constant amount of energy • Early on Earth’s history 20% to 30% less than today • Sunspots: Huge magnetic storms than are seen from Earth as dark spots • These cause variation in solar energy output • These occur in cycles showing maximum activity every 11 years.
Sunspots When sunspots are shorter or longer than average global temperatures may be affected - Late 1600 and Early 1700 little ice age “ very little sunspot activity
Latitude and Seasons • The amount of Solar radiation received at any point on Earth’s surface depends on latitude
Global Wind Patterns • Wind is the horizontal movement of air from areas of high to low pressure • High-pressure regions are dominated by cold, descending air • Low pressure areas are associated with warm, rising air masses • Coriolus effect given by Earth’s rotation • Currents on Northern Hemisphere will be deflected clock wise, Southern hemisphere counter clock-wise
Ocean Currents • Over 70 % of Earth’s is covered by ocean water • At the Ocean-atmosphere boundary there is a constant exchange of heat, moisture and energy. • Oceans Absorved huge amounts of solar energy and transport this heat by way of oceans currents from the equator to the poles
Surface ocean Currents • Coriolus Effect plays a role also in ocean currents. Gulf stream circulates clockwise. • Ocean Surface temperature • El Niño Effect
Ocean Deep sea currents • Phytoplankton and Ocean currents • The Ocean Conveyor Belt
Surface Reflectivity • Albedo Effect • Is the reflectivity at the surface
Atmospheric Factors • Milankovitch Cycles