ENVS 224 Midterm Practice Questions

Which of the following is true?

a. Climate is less predictable than weather.

b. Weather is more predicable than climate.

c. Weather is the same as climate.

d. Climate is more predictable than weather.

e. Neither weather nor climate is predicable.

d. Climate is more predictable than weather.

Which of the following is an indication of global warming?

a. The late onset of spring

b. More cool summers and warmer winters

c. The early onset of winter

d. More warm summers and colder winters

e. More record warm and fewer record cold temperatures

e. More record warm and fewer record cold temperatures

The hockey stick graph suggests that

a. There has been little recent climate change.

b. The global climate cooled until the early part of the 19th century and then started to warm rapidly.

c. The global climate has been warming slowly for 1,000 years.

d. The global climate has been cooling slowly for 1,000 years.

e. The global climate warmed steadily until the early part of the 19th century and then started to warm rapidly.

b. The global climate cooled until the early part of the 19th century and then started to warm rapidly.

By 2005, global temperatures were

a. 7˚C above the 1901-2000 annual average.

b. 2˚C below the 1901-2000 annual average.

c. 0.5˚C above the 1800-2010 annual average.

d. 2˚C below the 1950-2010 annual average.

e. 1˚C above the 1901-2000 annual average.

e. 1˚C above the 1901-2000 annual average.

In general, the world's oceans

a. Absorb as much as 90% of the excess energy trapped in the atmosphere by human-made greenhouse gases.

b. Absorb as much as 50% of the excess energy trapped in the atmosphere by human-made greenhouse gases.

c. Release energy into the atmosphere in addition to that trapped by greenhouse gases.

d. Store as much energy from undersea volcanic activity as from the atmosphere.

e. Used to release energy but now absorb it from the atmosphere.

a. Absorb as much as 90% of the excess energy trapped in the atmosphere by human-made greenhouse gases.

In geological history, global climate

a. Remained unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.

b. Swung between periods of extreme heat and extreme cold.

c. Was much warmer than it is today.

d. Was normally warmer than today, with occasional periods of strong polar cooling.

e. Was normally colder than today, with occasional periods of equatorial warming.

d. Was normally warmer than today, with occasional periods of strong polar cooling.

Radiative forcing is measured at

a. Ground level.

b. The top of the atmosphere.

c. The top of the troposphere.

d. The summit of Mauna Loa on Hawaii.

e. The top of the stratosphere.

b. The top of the atmosphere.

Positive climate feedback

a. Diminishes changes in climate that result from radiative forcing.

b. Is the same as climate forcing.

c. Always leads to more global warming.

d. Augments changes in climate that result from radiative forcing.

e. Always leads to more global cooling.

d. Augments changes in climate that result from radiative forcing.

Milankovitch cycles are

a. Related to the inclination of earth's axis relative to the orbit of the moon.

b. Related to the position of earth's orbit relative to the stars.

c. Related to the shape of earth's orbit and the tilt of earth's axis.

d. Related to the position of earth's axis relative to the sun.

e. Related to the intensity of solar radiation.

c. Related to the shape of earth's orbit and the tilt of earth's axis.

Climate models

a. Predict the future of earth's climate, depending on future actions to prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

b. Are based on our understanding of ancient climate.

c. Project the future of earth's climate, depending on future actions to prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

d. Are as accurate and reliable as a daily weather forecast.

e. All predict a rise in temperature of at least 4˚c by the end of this century.

c. Project the future of earth's climate, depending on future actions to prevent greenhouse gas emissions.

Scientists refer to man-made climate change as

a. Arthroscopic

b. Anthropogenic

c. Ancestral

d. Annular

b. Anthropogenic

Weather and climate differ in that

a. Weather is day to day while climate is long-term averages in weather

b. Weather is easier to predict than climate

c. Climate is always getting warmer but weather can be warmer or colder

d. Weather includes precipitation while climate does not

a. Weather is day to day while climate is long-term averages in weather

Observations from the Midwest temperature map (Quiz 1, Q3) are at airports which are quality controlled 24 hours a day 365 days a year and represent excellent climate diagnostics

a. True

b. False

a. True

Chicago receives nearly 40" of snowfall annually, mainly due to the influence of Lake Effect Snowfall

a. True

b. False

a. True

The temperature graph (Quiz 1, Q5) shows a slight increase in temperature for Illinois winter since 1895

a. True

b. False

a. True

This image (Quiz 1, Q6) shows Rick entering the Badlands in South Dakota, once home to the Great Inland Sea and dinosaurs

a. True

b. False

a. True

This temperature graph (Quiz 1, Q7) is a concern to climate scientists since

a. The temperature change will eventually decrease again in the future

b. The temperature increase has been primarily over the land

c. The global (land and ocean) temperature change has been rapid since the late 1970s

d. The temperature change was neutral in the past thus cancelling out any current increase

c. The global (land and ocean) temperature change has been rapid since the late 1970s

The climate system represents a closed system since this only occurs on earth

a. True

b. False

b. False

Chicago is a large urban area that can change weather conditions, especially during the summer. This is called the

a. Large heat island

b. City heat island

c. Urban heat island

d. Land heat island

c. Urban heat island

The climate re-analyzer temperature map (Quiz 1, Q10) shows Earth's temperature above normal even though there was record cold in the Midwest

a. True

b. False

a. True

A temperature anomaly is

a. A short period of unusually hot weather.

b. A long period of unusually hot weather.

c. A relative change in temperature.

d. A temperature change relative to the average temperature over a defined base period.

e. A temperature change relative to the maximum temperature within a defined base period.

d. A temperature change relative to the average temperature over a defined base period.

To measure earth's radiation balance, we need to

a. Compare the intensity of incoming and outgoing longwave radiation.

b. Compare the intensity of incoming and outgoing shortwave radiation.

c. Compare the intensity of incoming longwave radiation and outgoing shortwave radiation.

d. Compare the intensity of incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation.

e. Compare the intensity of incoming solar radiation and radiation emitted by earth's surface.

d. Compare the intensity of incoming shortwave radiation and outgoing longwave radiation.

Temperature anomalies are remarkably consistent up to a

a. 100-mile radius around each data point.

b. 100-kilometer radius around each data point.

c. 1,000-mile radius around each data point.

d. 1,000-kilometer radius around each data point.

e. 2,000-kilometer radius around each data point.

d. 1,000-kilometer radius around each data point.

Satellites determine air temperature by measuring

a. The microwave flux generated by oxygen molecules in the atmosphere.

b. The infrared flux of greenhouse gas molecules in the atmosphere.

c. The microwave flux generated by greenhouse gas molecules in the atmosphere.

d. The microwave flux generated by nitrogen molecules in the atmosphere.

e. The ultraviolet flux from ozone molecules in the atmosphere.

a. The microwave flux generated by oxygen molecules in the atmosphere.

Over geological time, sea level can change

a. Globally by large amounts due to changes in mid-ocean ridge volume.

b. Gradually and regionally due to regional tectonic stresses.

c. Often and globally due to the growth and decay of ice sheets.

d. Slowly and regionally due to sediment subsidence.

e. All of the above.

e. All of the above.

If the Greenland and West Antarctic Ice Sheets melted, sea level would rise by

a. 120 meters.

b. 90 feet.

c. 30 meters.

d. 12 meters.

e. 5 feet.

d. 12 meters.

Polar sea ice volume is a better measure of arctic warming than sea ice extent because

a. Sea ice extent is affected by many factors in addition to air and ocean temperature.

b. Ice volume is directly related to air temperature.

c. Ice extent varies with the seasons.

d. Ice volume is easier to measure by satellite.

e. Ice extent has been increasing in the arctic.

a. Sea ice extent is affected by many factors in addition to air and ocean temperature.

Melting of the Greenland ice sheet is

a. Confined to the coastal margins.

b. Fastest during the Antarctic winter.

c. Part of a natural cycle.

d. Limited to a few large fast-moving glaciers.

e. Responsible for most of the recent rise in sea level.

b. Fastest during the Antarctic winter.

Melting permafrost

a. Releases only carbon monoxide into the atmosphere.

b. Releases only biogenic methane into the atmosphere.

c. Releases both carbon dioxide and biogenic methane into the atmosphere.

d. Releases both carbon dioxide and ozone into the atmosphere.

e. Absorbs greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.

c. Releases both carbon dioxide and biogenic methane into the atmosphere.

At temperate latitudes, climate change will bring

a. More cold nights and fewer warm days.

b. More warm nights and more heat waves.

c. Fewer heat waves but more warm days.

d. More frost but less snow.

e. The late onset of spring and fall.

b. More warm nights and more heat waves.

Sea surface temperature is a good approximation of air temperatures 1-2 meters above the ocean

a. True

b. False

a. True

Melting Arctic and Antarctic sea ice has contributed to significant sea level rise

a. True

b. False

b. False

Melting permafrost can act as a positive climate feedback

a. True

b. False

a. True

Climate change can cause both drought and floods

a. True

b. False

a. True

According to the temperature change graphic (Quiz 2, Q5) the region in the Northern Hemisphere showing the greatest evidence of climate change is

a. Tropics

b. Mid-latitude land

c. Mid-latitude ocean

d. Arctic

d. Arctic

How is warming climate expected to affect hurricanes

a. A decrease in hurricane intensity since we will end up with more hurricanes

b. An increase in the number of hurricanes

c. An increase in hurricane intensity but not necessarily more hurricane development

d. Hurricanes will become windier

c. An increase in hurricane intensity but not necessarily more hurricane development

The minimum number of years for a temperature base period should be at least

a. 10 years

b. 30 years

c. 50 years

d. 100 years

b. 30 years

Which of the following organizations does not report global temperature anomaly data

a. The Weather Channel

b. Goddard Institute for Space Sciences

c. Climate Research Unit

d. Remote Sensing Systems

a. The Weather Channel

The best indicator of the impact of climate change on sea ice is a change in

a. Sea ice extent

b. Sea ice thickness

c. Sea ice volume

d. Sea ice albedo

c. Sea ice volume

Which of the following statements about Antarctica is true

a. It is about four times the size of Texas

b. It contains about 90% of the world's freshwater

c. Sea ice growth can add 50% to Antarctica's area

d. all of the above are true

b. It contains about 90% of the world's freshwater

Total solar irradiation is

a. The total amount of energy released from the sun.

b. The total amount of solar energy received at the surface of earth.

c. The total amount of solar radiation from the sun received at the top of the atmosphere.

d. The total amount of solar radiation released from the sun's photosphere.

e. The flux of solar radiation from the top of the atmosphere to ground level.

d. The total amount of solar radiation released from the sun's photosphere.

Schwabe cycles are

a. A form of human-powered emissions-free transport.

b. Natural cycles related to the intensity of solar flares.

c. Changes in sunspot intensity that modulate the average amount of radiation reaching earth by as much as 10%.

d. An approximately 22-year natural cycle of solar prominences.

e. Changes in sunspot intensity that modulate the average amount of radiation reaching earth by as much as 0.1%.

e. Changes in sunspot intensity that modulate the average amount of radiation reaching earth by as much as 0.1%.

An increase in the obliquity (tilt) of Earth's axis

a. Alters the amount of solar radiation that reaches the top of the atmosphere.

b. Affects the eccentricity of earth's orbit.

c. Reduces the amount of solar radiation that reaches earth's surface.

d. Increases the amount of solar radiation that reaches high northern latitudes in the summer.

e. Increases the amount of solar radiation that reaches low southern latitudes during the winter.

d. Increases the amount of solar radiation that reaches high northern latitudes in the summer.

The troposphere

a. Has a higher concentration of water vapor near the surface.

b. Traps most of the harmful ultraviolet radiation arriving from the sun.

c. Has a higher concentration of well-mixed greenhouse gases near the surface.

d. Is kept in constant motion by air rising at high latitudes.

e. Maintains a constant depth over Earth's surface.

a. Has a higher concentration of water vapor near the surface.

Earth's surface

a. Receives ultraviolet radiation from the sun and emits infrared radiation.

b. Receives infrared radiation from the atmosphere and emits shortwave radiation to space.

c. Receives shortwave radiation from the sun and atmosphere and emits infrared radiation to space.

d. Receives shortwave radiation from the sun and infrared radiation from the atmosphere and emits infrared radiation to the atmosphere and space.

e. Emits energy received from the sun and geothermal radiation in equal proportions.

d. Receives shortwave radiation from the sun and infrared radiation from the atmosphere and emits infrared radiation to the atmosphere and space.

Earth loses most of its infrared radiation

a. From the surface directly to space.

b. From the emission of infrared radiation from greenhouse gases close to Earth's surface.

c. From ozone molecules in the stratosphere.

d. From greenhouse gases high in the troposphere.

e. From water vapor in the stratosphere.

d. From greenhouse gases high in the troposphere.

Radiative forcing is best described as

a. A change in the net downward minus upward irradiance measured at the tropopause.

b. The sum of the net downward plus upward irradiance measured at the tropopause.

c. The result of adding greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.

d. A process driven by changes in solar radiation.

a. A change in the net downward minus upward irradiance measured at the tropopause.

Global dimming is due to

a. A reduction in solar luminescence.

b. An increase in cloud cover.

c. A high level of reflective aerosols in the atmosphere.

d. A slight increase in the length of the winter season.

e. A statistical increase in the number of rainy days.

c. A high level of reflective aerosols in the atmosphere.

An increase in cloud cover

a. Would fractionally decrease global albedo.

b. Would fractionally increase global albedo.

c. Could substantially decrease global albedo.

d. Could substantially increase global albedo.

e. Would almost certainly offset global warming due to greenhouse gases.

d. Could substantially increase global albedo.

Earth's climate system only includes atmosphere, ice, and oceans

a. True

b. False

b. False

Solar energy is responsible for the majority of energy that is within the climate system

a. True

b. False

a. True

A greater number of sunspots increases the total solar irradiance

a. True

b. False

a. True

Ice sheets grow in the Northern Hemisphere where eccentricity changes from small to large

a. True

b. False

a. True

Greenhouse gases heat the atmosphere by absorbing outgoing solar radiation

a. True

b. False

a. True

Of the carbon dioxide emitted by human activities, a majority is absorbed by oceans and the terrestrial biosphere

a. True

b. False

a. True

Aerosols can both absorb and reflect energy

a. True

b. False

a. True

The current best estimate of climate sensitivity is about 1 degree Celsius or 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit

a. True

b. False

a. True

The lowest portion of the atmosphere is known as the

a. Troposphere

b. Stratosphere

c. Mesosphere

d. Thermosphere

a. Troposphere

Greenhouse gases get their name because they

a. Reflect incoming light

b. Absorb incoming sunlight

c. Trap warm air on Earth

d. Decrease outgoing radiation from the top of the atmosphere

d. Decrease outgoing radiation from the top of the atmosphere

Earth will likely not find itself in a runaway greenhouse gas effect like Venus because

a. Venus is hot due to it being closer to the sun

b. Earth does not contain enough CO2

c. Life and other biological activity remove CO2 from the atmosphere

d. Earth has water vapor that forms cooling cloud cover

c. Life and other biological activity remove CO2 from the atmosphere

Which statement best describes the temperature and sun energy graph (Quiz 3, Q12)

a. Global temperature increases are directly related to Total Solar Irradiance

b. Global temperatures constantly rise unrelated to TSI

c. Global temperatures will rise and fall annually but have generally increased regardless of TSI

d. Global temperatures will always follw the TSI and have since the Industrial Revolution

c. Global temperatures will rise and fall annually but have generally increased regardless of TSI

Which statement is correct regarding the chemical makeup of the atmosphere

a. Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Water Vapor 1-3%

b. Nitrogen 71% Oxygen 28% Water Vapor 1-3%

c. Oxygen 78% Nitrogen 21% Water Vapor 1-3%

d. Oxygen 71% Nitrogen 28% Water Vapor 1-3%

a. Nitrogen 78% Oxygen 21% Water Vapor 1-3%

The global increase in temperature closely matches the global increase in CO2

a. True

b. False

a. True

The primary origin of most energy in Earth's climate system is

a. Solar longwave radiation.

b. Radioactive decay.

c. Volcanic activity.

d. Solar shortwave radiation.

e. Terrestrial longwave radiation.

a. Solar longwave radiation.

Solar radiation falls most intensely

a. At high latitudes.

b. At temperate latitudes.

c. At the poles.

d. At the equator.

e. Between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

e. Between the Tropics of Cancer and Capricorn.

The motion of the atmosphere is driven by

a. Thermal gradients created by differential heating with changing latitude.

b. Strong winds blowing from the poles toward the equator.

c. Strong winds blowing from the equator toward the poles.

d. Vertical convection at the tropics.

e. Thermal gradients created by changing ocean temperatures.

a. Thermal gradients created by differential heating with changing latitude.

The intertropical convergence zone is a

a. Tropical zone of surface air convergence that drives the growth of thunderstorms.

b. Zone of upper air divergence that causes surface air to rise convectively.

c. Zone of surface air convergence driven by active tropical convection.

d. Band of thunderstorms close to the equator.

e. Continuous band of thunderstorms that moves with the seasons.

a. Tropical zone of surface air convergence that drives the growth of thunderstorms.

The difference between the troposphere and the stratosphere is that

a. The troposphere is warmer than the stratosphere.

b. The stratosphere is denser than the troposphere.

c. The troposphere is richer in ozone than the stratosphere.

d. Active vertical convection in the troposphere does not extend into the stratosphere.

e. The stratosphere is heated from above and the troposphere from below.

d. Active vertical convection in the troposphere does not extend into the stratosphere.

The polar front is a

a. Radical political movement to liberate polar bears from the threat of global warming.

b. Dynamic boundary between contrasting polar and subtropical air masses.

c. Dynamic boundary between polar and tropical air masses.

d. Static boundary between contrasting polar air masses.

e. Dynamic boundary between contrasting polar air masses.

b. Dynamic boundary between contrasting polar and subtropical air masses.

Warm conveyor belts are

a. Streams of warm, moist air embedded within frontal systems that transfer latent energy across the polar front.

b. Streams of warm, dry air that descend from the troposphere toward the surface.

c. Streams of warm, moist air that start at ground level and merge with the stratosphere.

d. Streams of warm, dry air that flow within the lower troposphere and transfer energy from the tropics to the subtropics.

e. Narrow ribbons of warm, dry air embedded in a warm front.

a. Streams of warm, moist air embedded within frontal systems that transfer latent energy across the polar front.

The topography of the ocean floor

a. Is flat and featureless and has little impact on ocean currents.

b. Prevents deep Antarctic cold water from leaving the ocean immediately around the continent.

c. Allows warm Atlantic water to penetrate deep into the Antarctic.

d. Has a major influence on the flow of deep ocean water around the world.

e. Drives thermohaline circulation.

d. Has a major influence on the flow of deep ocean water around the world.

Thermohaline circulation is driven by changes in

a. Surface-water salinity.

b. Deep-water density.

c. Surface-water temperature.

d. Deep-water salinity.

e. Surface-water density and temperature.

e. Surface-water density and temperature.

Tropical divergence

a. Draws warm, nutrient-poor water to the surface.

b. Draws cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

c. Draws warm, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

d. Draws cold, nutrient-poor water to the surface.

e. Causes warm surface water to sink from the surface.

b. Draws cold, nutrient-rich water to the surface.

Tropical cyclones

a. Are rare storms that play a small role in the meridional transfer of energy.

b. Diminish the chances of subsequent storms for many weeks.

c. Form only in the tropics where the ocean is sufficiently warm.

d. Are major storms that collectively transfer a significant amount of energy from the subtropics to higher latitudes.

e. Occur most frequently during El Niño episodes.

d. Are major storms that collectively transfer a significant amount of energy from the subtropics to higher latitudes.

Teleconnection describes the

a. Use of the internet to keep climate scientists in global communication.

b. Direct and immediate connection between weather in one part of the world and weather at a distant location.

c. Direct but delayed connection between weather in one part of the world and weather at a distant location.

d. Ability of weather in one part of the world to influence the development of weather at a distant location.

e. Relationship between coexisting weather systems at different latitudes.

d. Ability of weather in one part of the world to influence the development of weather at a distant location.

El Niño

a. Has an impact on global weather.

b. Only affects the weather of the western Pacific.

c. Only affects the weather of the eastern Pacific.

d. Occurs when the Atlantic Ocean absorbs a lot of energy from the atmosphere.

e. Occurs when the Pacific Ocean cools the atmosphere.

a. Has an impact on global weather.

During La Niña events, global average temperatures

a. Increase

b. Decrease

c. Increase during part of the year and decrease during the other

d. Are unaffected

b. Decrease

El Niño events over the Pacific Ocean are characterized by

a. Cool water flowing westward

b. Warm water flowing westward

c. Cool water flowing eastward

d. Warm water flowing eastward

d. Warm water flowing eastward

The African Monsoon occurs when

a. The Eastern Atlantic Ocean warms during summer.

b. The Western Indian Ocean warms during summer.

c. The ITCZ shifts northward during summer.

d. The ITCZ shifts southward during summer.

d. The ITCZ shifts southward during summer.

The impact of climate change on tropical cyclones is expected to

a. Make them wetter

b. Make them more intense

c. Decrease the number of storms

d. All of the above

d. All of the above

The general climate at the surface between the Hadley and Ferrell Cells is typically

a. Warm and wet

b. Warm and dry

c. Cool and wet

d. Cool and dry

b. Warm and dry

Which of the following scenarios would lead to lower pressure at the surface

a. Divergence at surface with divergence aloft

b. Convergence at surface with divergence aloft

c. Convergence at surface with convergence aloft

d. Divergence at surface with convergence aloft

b. Convergence at surface with divergence aloft

Which current is responsible for creating a mild oceanic climate for Western Europe

a. Gulf stream

b. Canary current

c. North Atlantic drift

d. Labrador current

c. North Atlantic drift

Using the climate re-analyzer map (Quiz 4, Q4) the data over the US indicate the warmest above normal surface temperatures over which state

a. MN

b. IL

c. IN

d. TX

d. TX

Using the climate re-analyzer map (Quiz 4, Q5) the highest anomalies are over which province

a. Ontario, 5-8 degrees C

b. Manitoba, 5-8 degrees C

c. Ontario, 10 degrees C

d. Quebec, 5 degrees C

c. Ontario, 10 degrees C

Using the climate re-analyzer map (Quiz 4, Q6) the greatest sea surface temperature anomaly is over the

a. Equatorial Pacific

b. Gulf of Alaska

c. California coast

d. Southern California and Baja California

d. Southern California and Baja California

Which statement best describes the Earth diagram (Quiz 4, Q7)

a. Energy imbalance establishes a temperature gradient between the tropics and the poles resulting in a net gain of energy at low latitudes and net loss at high latitudes

b. Temperature imbalance establishes a heat gradient between the tropics and the poles resulting in a net loss of energy at low latitudes and net loss at high latitudes

c. Energy imbalance establishes a temperature gradient between the tropics and the poles resulting in a net gain of energy at high latitudes and a net loss at low latitudes

d. Moisture imbalance establishes a temperature gradient between the tropics and the poles resulting in a net gain of energy at low latitudes and net loss at high latitudes

a. Energy imbalance establishes a temperature gradient between the tropics and the poles resulting in a net gain of energy at low latitudes and net loss at high latitudes

What is the best statement that correctly describes the El/La Nino/a event image (Quiz 4, Q8)

a. El Nino patterns can produce above normal temperatures everywhere in the US

b. El Nino patterns, when strong, are capable of producing above normal temperatures in the northern US

c. El Nino patterns, when strong, can produce violent storms on the East Coast

d. El Nino patterns can produce warm winters in the Midwest every year

b. El Nino patterns, when strong, are capable of producing above normal temperatures in the northern US

Given that over 1 billion people live in India why are a changing climate and monsoon changes more important to them

a. Farmers depend on government subsidies to assist when rainfall does not arrive on time so they can deal with climate change

b. Water resources are dependent on the arrival of monsoonal rain so understanding climate change is imperative

c. it rains a great deal so a short delay is not a big concern

d. There is still not enough data to back up any migration efforts needed

b. Water resources are dependent on the arrival of monsoonal rain so understanding climate change is imperative

What is the best statement that correctly describes the El/La Nino/a event image (Quiz 4, Q10)

a. El Nino patterns can produce above normal temperatures everywhere in the US

b. El Nino patterns, when strong, are capable of producing wet and cool conditions along the Southern US regions

c. El Nino patterns, when strong, can produce violent storms on the East Coast

d. El Nino patterns can produce warm winters in the Midwest every year

b. El Nino patterns, when strong, are capable of producing wet and cool conditions along the Southern US regions

Choose the best statement that describes the ENSO event image (Quiz 4, Q11)

a. Stong El Ninos typically result in widespread rain everywhere since the water is warmer

b. Strong El Ninos can help in sustaining longterm dryness in Australia and parts of Indonesia

c. Strong El Ninos have no effect on rainfall in Southeast Asia

d. Only strong El Ninos need to be monitored since rainfall is so abundant in Southeast Asia

b. Strong El Ninos can help in sustaining longterm dryness in Australia and parts of Indonesia

On the climate re-analyzer map image (Quiz 4, Q12) the area of blue near the equatorial Pacific represents below normal sea surface temperatures, which is representative of a La Nina event

a. True

b. False

a. True

Using the globe circulation map (Quiz 4, Q13) which statement best describes this image

a. Large scale circulation of the Earth's atmosphere changes every 20 years

b. Large scale circulation of the Earth's atmosphere creates biomes and ecosystems

c. Large scale circulation of the Earth's atmosphere changes every eight months with the seasons

d. Large scale circulation of the Earth's atmosphere is different in the northern and southern hemisphere

b. Large scale circulation of the Earth's atmosphere creates biomes and ecosystems

The map (Quiz 4, Q14) shows where large scale tropical weather systems such as hurricanes and typhoons form due to the movement of the Earth's ocean currents

a. True

b. False

a. True

The February 18 2018 ice analysis chart update (Quiz 4, Q15) shows

a. Rapid increase in ice due to cold temperatures in the Arctic

b. Flat line or no increase in ice since the beginning of the year

c. Less ice has formed through the first week of February compared to the 1981-2010 period

d. Normal increase in sea ice since the first week of February

c. Less ice has formed through the first week of February compared to the 1981-2010 period

Fossil ripple marks were formed by

a. Running river water.

b. Wave action in the oceans.

c. Wave action in lakes.

d. Moving water in rivers, lakes, or the oceans.

e. Vortices in rapidly moving floodwater.

d. Moving water in rivers, lakes, or the oceans.

Coal deposits

a. Released carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as they were formed.

b. Slowly release methane into the atmosphere.

c. Store enough carbon dioxide to heat the atmosphere by 20˚c.

d. Store enough carbon dioxide to heat the atmosphere by 30˚c.

e. Have sequestered as much as 3,000 gigatonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.

e. Have sequestered as much as 3,000 gigatonnes of carbon from the atmosphere.

Thick deposits of basaltic lava in the geological record suggest that the atmosphere was

a. Rich in oxygen.

b. Rich in nitrous oxide.

c. Rich in carbon dioxide.

d. Unusually cool.

e. Rich in methane.

c. Rich in carbon dioxide.

During radioactive decay

a. Stable isotopes decay into new parent isotopes.

b. Unstable isotopes decay into new parent isotopes.

c. Stable isotopes decay into new daughter isotopes.

d. Unstable isotopes decay into new daughter isotopes.

e. Radioactive isotopes decay into stable byproducts.

d. Unstable isotopes decay into new daughter isotopes.

Ice precipitated from the atmosphere near the poles is relatively

a. Enriched in the oxygen 18 isotope.

b. Depleted in the oxygen 16 isotope.

c. Enriched in the carbon 14 isotope.

d. Enriched in the carbon 12 isotope.

e. Depleted in the oxygen 18 isotope.

e. Depleted in the oxygen 18 isotope.