Modules 9-11 Vocab APES

ITCZ/Intertropica convergence zone

latitude that receives the most intense sunlight, causing ascending branches of the two Hadley cells to converge

thermohaline circulation

an oceanic circulation pattern that drives the mixing of surface water and deep water

El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)

A reversal of wind and water currents in the South Pacific

troposphere

the lowest layer of the atmosphere (10 mil)

mesosphere

3rd layer of the atmosphere (30-50 mil)

albedo

the percentage of incoming sunlight reflected from a surface

adiabatic cooling

the cooling effect of reduced pressure on air as it rises higher in the atmosphere and expands

latent heat release

release of energy which turns water vapor into liquid water

atmospheric convection currents

global patterns of air movement that are caused by the unequal heating of Earth

coriolis effect

object path definition due to rotation of earth

stratosphere

The second-lowest layer of Earth's atmosphere. (16-50km)

thermosphere

The uppermost layer of the atmosphere, in which has the ability to block harmful x-ray and uv radiation from reaching our planet

saturation point

maximum amount of water vapor in the air at a given temperature.

adiabatic heating

heating effect of increased air pressure as it sinks toward the surface of the Earth and decreases in volume

rain shadow

a dry area on the downwind side of a mountain

gyre

large-scale pattern of water circulation that movies clockwise in Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere

upwelling

upward movement of ocean water toward the surface resulting in diverging currents

Still learning (10)

You've started learning these terms. Keep it up!