Global Climate and Tectonic Hazards Flashcards

Flashcards covering key concepts from global climate patterns to tectonic hazards and development indicators.

What is the primary driver of global atmospheric circulation?

Uneven solar heating of the Earth

What are the three main cells in each hemisphere's global atmospheric circulation system?

Hadley Cell (0-30°), Ferrel Cell (30-60°), Polar Cell (60-90°)

What is the Coriolis Effect?

The deflection of winds due to Earth's rotation, causing them to curve to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.

What are the three major global wind belts affected by the Coriolis Effect?

Trade Winds, Westerlies, and Polar Easterlies

What is the Ocean Conveyor Belt (Thermohaline Circulation)?

A global system of ocean currents that transfer heat around the world.

What does convection in the atmosphere create?

Rising air, which leads to cloud formation and rainfall.

What does subsidence in the atmosphere create?

Sinking air, which leads to clear skies.

What are the Milankovitch Cycles?

Orbital shape, axial tilt, and wobble that affect the amount of solar radiation received by Earth.

How do volcanic eruptions affect global climate?

Blocks sunlight, causing temporary cooling.

How do sunspots affect global climate?

Increased solar radiation, leading to warming.

What are some sources used to gather evidence of past climate change?

Air bubbles in ice cores, tree rings, pollen records, historical sources, and fossils.

What are the primary greenhouse gases?

CO₂, CH₄, water vapor, N₂O, and CFCs.

What causes the Enhanced Greenhouse Effect?

The increase in greenhouse gases due to human activities.

What human activities contribute to the enhanced greenhouse effect?

Burning fossil fuels, deforestation, landfills, fertilizers, and aerosols.

What evidence indicates recent human-caused climate change?

Temperature records, ice melt, sea level rise, wildlife changes, and extreme weather events.

What are some social impacts of climate change?

Heat-related illness, food insecurity, water shortages, migration, and job impacts.

What are some environmental impacts of climate change?

Coastal flooding, coastal erosion, extreme weather, coral bleaching, and biodiversity loss.

What are tropical cyclones?

Intense, rotating low-pressure systems with wind speeds over 119 km/h and central pressure below 950mb.

What conditions are required for the formation of tropical cyclones?

Warm ocean water (>27°C), humid air, strong convection, and the Coriolis effect (5°–30° latitude).

What are the regional names for tropical cyclones?

Hurricanes (Atlantic), Typhoons (Pacific), Cyclones (Indian Ocean).

Where are most tropical cyclones formed?

Western Pacific.

What are the primary hazards of tropical cyclones?

High winds, heavy rainfall, storm surges, and landslides.

What are the 4 Ps strategy for tropical cyclone preparation?

Predict, Protect, Prepare, and Plan.

What are some of the key steps for The 4 P's strategy for tropical cyclone preparation?

Satellites & radar (Predict), storm shelters & strong buildings (Protect), education & survival kits (Prepare), and risk mapping & emergency training (Plan).

What are the key stages in the formation of a tropical cyclone?

Warm, moist air rises, Coriolis force causes spinning, and the eye forms as air sinks in the center.

What are some common preparation and defense strategies used in the USA for tropical cyclones?

Satellites, radar, evacuation routes, levees, and natural barriers.

What preparations does the Philippines undertake for tropical cyclones?

PAGASA forecasts & warnings, evacuation plans, hazard maps, and flood defenses.

What are the layers of the Earth's interior?

Solid inner core, semi-molten outer core, semi-molten mantle, and lithosphere (crust and rigid upper mantle).

What are the two types of Earth's crust?

Oceanic (thinner, basaltic) and Continental (thicker, granitic).

What is a plate boundary?

Where plates meet; most volcanoes and earthquakes occur near these boundaries.

What are the different types of plate boundaries?

Divergent, Convergent, Collision Zone, Conservative.

What drives the movement of tectonic plates?

Convection currents and slab pull.

How do volcanoes form?

Magma erupts as lava through a vent.

What are the main types of volcanoes?

Composite (Strato-volcanoes) and Shield volcanoes.

What is a pyroclastic flow?

Hot, poisonous gases mixed with ash, moving at high speed.

What are lahars?

Mudflows of ash mixed with melted snow/ice.

What are some primary and secondary hazards from earthquakes and volcanic eruptions?

Ground shaking, pyroclastic flow, tsunamis, and fires.

What causes tsunamis?

Underwater earthquakes, landslides, or volcanic eruptions.

How are volcanoes measured?

Measured using the Volcanic Explosivity Index (VEI).

How are Earthquakes measured?

Measured using the Moment Magnitude Scale; seismometers are used.

Where are the various volcano types are mainly located at?

Divergent (Shield), Convergent (Composite), and Hotspots (Shield).

What were the main responses to the 2010 Haiti earthquake?

Rescue teams, international aid, and debt relief.

What were the main responses to the 2011 Tohoku, Japan earthquake?

Tsunami warning, rescue efforts, and evacuation.

What are the social impacts of rapid economic development?

Flooding, building destruction, lack of clean water, and increased spread of disease.

Which countries have a rapid urbanization growth rate?

Rapid, Russia, Brazil, China

Which countries have a Slow, or declining, urbanization growth rate?

Slow, or declining, UK, Germany, Japan, America

What is the Urbanisation Pathway?

Linear stages of economic growth that states countries become more urban as they develop economically, however the pace slows with counter-urbanisation

What are Urban Pull Factors?

Employment, wages, entertainment, transport, healthcare, education

What are Rural Push Factors?

Healthcare, education, farming, opportunities, lifestyle, supplies

What are some causes of counter urbanisation?

Mobility, increased wealth, agricultural decline, green belt, second homes, early retirement