Global Atmospheric Circulation, Tropical Storms, and Climate Change

Vocabulary flashcards covering weather hazards, global atmospheric cells, tropical storm dynamics, case studies, and climate change concepts based on the revision material.

Global Atmospheric Circulation

The large-scale movement of air by which heat is distributed across the surface of the Earth.

Hadley Cell

An atmospheric cell where warm air rises at the equator (0^\bar{\text{o}} or $0^\text{o}$) and sinks at around $30^\text{o}$ North and South.

Ferrel Cell

An atmospheric cell located between $30^\text{o}$ and $60^\text{o}$ North and South, where air sinks at $30^\text{o}$ and travels towards $60^\text{o}$ where it rises.

Polar Cell

An atmospheric cell located between $60^\text{o}$ and the poles ($90^\text{o}$), where air rises at $60^\text{o}$ and sinks at $90^\text{o}$.

High Pressure Area

A region created by sinking air, resulting in clear, calm, and dry weather conditions.

Low Pressure Area

A region created by rising air, resulting in wet, cloudy, and windy weather conditions.

Coriolis Effect

The deflection of air movements caused by Earth's rotation, deflecting winds to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

Tropical Storm Requirements

Ocean temperatures reaching above $27^\text{o}\text{C}$ and locations between $5^\text{o}$ and $15^\text{o}$ North or South of the equator.

Primary Effects of Tropical Storms

Direct impacts caused immediately by the storm, such as torrential rain, high winds, damaged buildings, and deaths.

Secondary Effects of Tropical Storms

Indirect impacts arising from primary effects, including water pollution, disease outbreaks like cholera, food shortages, and economic disruption.

Typhoon Haiyan

A Category 5 super typhoon that struck the Philippines in November 2013, with wind speeds reaching over $195\text{ mph}$ ($314\text{ km/h}$).

Build Back Better

A long-term response scheme in the Philippines following Typhoon Haiyan aimed at rebuilding safer and more storm-resistant homes and infrastructure.

Enhanced Greenhouse Effect

The increase in global atmospheric temperatures due to human activities releasing additional greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and methane.

Milankovitch Cycles

Natural long-term changes in Earth's orbit, tilt, and wobble that alter the distribution and intensity of solar energy reaching Earth.

Carbon Capture and Storage

A climate change mitigation technology designed to trap carbon dioxide emissions from power stations and store them underground.

Climate Change Mitigation

Actions taken to reduce, prevent, or reverse the emissions of greenhouse gases causing global warming.

Climate Change Adaptation

Actions and strategies designed to respond and adjust to the actual or expected impacts of climate change.