world geo test 3

Earth’s tilt

currently 23 ½ degrees

Effects of Earth’s rotation and tilt

creates the 24-hour day/night cycle

Equinox (dates)

September 23^rd and March 21st

Sun’s radiation

provides warmth that sustains life – 50% reflected into space and 50% enters and is trapped in the atmosphere

Low latitude zones

range between 0 – 30 degrees latitude – equator to tropic of cancer/tropic of Capricorn – receive the most sunlight

High latitude zones

60 – 90 degrees latitude N/S - cold temperatures for most of the year with a period of complete sunlight/darkness

Effect of elevation on temperature

high thin air holds less heat – generally losing 3.5 degrees/ foot of altitude gained 

Winds and ocean current effect on temperature

regulates temps by circulating warm/cool air and water around the planet

Causes of wind

when warm/cool air replaces the other and moves around the planet

Prevailing winds

blow from a consistent direction

Factors that determine wind direction

two factors: latitude and rotation

Coriolis Effect

effects direction of the wind – N. hemisphere – wind blows left to right – S. hemisphere – right to left

El Nino

change in mid-pacific currents – causes weather changes

Four climate zones

tropical, mid-latitude, dry, high-latitude

Tropical climates

two types of tropical climates – tropical wet/dry, tropical rain forest

Characteristics of tropical rainforest

average 50 – 260 inches of rain/year - average daily temp of 80 degrees – daily rainfall

Amazon River Bason

largest tropical rainforest in the world

Characteristics of Tropical Wet/Dry climates

distinct wet/dry seasons – average high daily temps – savannas and grasslands

Types of dry climate zones

semi arid (steppe) - arid (desert)

Midlatitude climate zones

humid subtropical, marine west coast, mediterranean climate, humid continental

Subarctic climate zone characteristics

brutally cold winters, summers are short and cool, temperature variation widest in the world

Humid Subtropical climate characteristics

short mild winters, year-round rainfall, hot humid summers

Indicators of climate change

rising global temps, intense heat waves, rising sea levels, increase in severe weather, changes in precipitation

Causes of climate change

ocean temps, greenhouse gases, wind patterns, cloud cover