Hazardous Earth - climate Global atmospheric circulation

Match up the correct sentences below. Use Figure 1, which shows the distribution of solar radiation, to help

The sun heats the Earth’s surface unevenly -

insolation

TO the areas of low pressure and therefore transfer heat away

from the equator.

The differences in temperature cause These loops have warm rising air which creates a low pressure

belt and cool falling air which creates a high pressure belt

Winds blow FROM the areas of high

pressure

(the solar radiation that reaches that reaches the Earth’s

surface) is greater at the equator than at the poles.

Winds are part of global atmospheric

circulation loops (called cells).

the Hadley, Ferrel and Polar cells.

There are three cells in each hemisphere differences in air pressure.

Complete the key and label the diagram below that shows Global Circulation Cells and how they are formed:

Figure 1

Global atmospheric circulation (cont’d)

Heat is also transferred by ocean currents

Ocean currents are large scale movements of water that transfer heat energy from warmer to cooler regions.

Complete the flow diagram below to show heat is transferred:

There are different climate zones around the world

The pressure belts caused by global atmospheric circulation cause variations in climate. Draw a climate graph

for an arid (dry) area (mark this onto your map) and a climate graph for a tropical area

Arid area – climate

graph

Atmospheric pressure – high and low pressure explained.

Highlight the key text from the diagram. Can you then

draw the diagrams from memory?

Tropical area – climate

graph

Polar area – what happens here?

Natural climate change

The Earth’s climate is always changing

Define: climate change:

The Quaternary period is the most recent geological time period, spanning from

around 2.6 million years ago to the present day. Describe the climate for each

of the periods below:

Before the quaternary period:

During the Quaternary period:

There are natural causes of climate change. Summarise each of these

causes:

Orbital changes also known as Milankovitch cycles

1Eccentricity

2. Axial tilt

3. Precession

Volcanic activity

1.

2.

3.

Solar output

1.

2.

3.

Asteroid collisions

1.

2.

3.

Evidence for natural climate change comes from many sources. Summarise

each of these in no more than words:

Tree rings

Ice cores

Historical records

Milankovitch cycles

Did you know: Between 1550 and 1850 the UK experienced a

“Little Ice Age”. In some winters the River Thames froze and the

ice was thick enough for people to walk across the river.

Climate change – human activity

Climate may have been changing long before humans roamed the Earth but in the last 150 years or

so human activities have begun to change it too.

The natural Greenhouse Effect is essential for keeping our planet warm

Label the diagram below to explain how the Green House effect works

Climate change could have serious impacts on people

Cover the diagram below. How many examples can you remember?

Human activities are making the

greenhouse effect stronger. Summarise

in no more than 12 words how we are

adding greenhouse gases to the

atmosphere:

Farming –

Industry –

Energy –

Transport -

There is some evidence that Human Activity is causing climate change. Complete the diagram

below and remember to include specific details (e.g. gases):

Human activity

and climate change

Summary:

Summary:

Summary:

Summary:

Climate change predictions

Data about climate change can be used to make predictions. Describe

the projected changes to global temperature shown on the graph below

(remember to use data):

What is the IPCC and what do they do?

There is lots of uncertainty about future climate change – why is this?

Tropical Cyclones

Tropical cyclones are areas of intense low pressure (remember those –

found in tropical areas). Low pressure brings heavy rain and strong

winds. With a cyclone (also known as hurricanes and typhoons) the

strong winds spiral around the centre.

Describe the distribution of tropical cyclones using the diagram above.

Tropical Cyclones (continued)

The formation of a tropical cyclone. Read the statements below

and match them to the correct location on the diagram

Warm moist air moves over the

ocean

Condensation releases air in the

atmosphere making the air lighter

The warmed air continues to rise

with moist air from the ocean

taking its place creating more wind

Water vapour rises into the

atmosphere

As the water vapour rises it cools,

condenses and forms into liquid

droplets

Tropical Cyclones (continued)

The features of a tropical cyclone. Tropical cyclones are

circular in shape, hundreds of km’s wide and they usually last for 7

– 17 days. Use the space below to draw, label and annotate the key

features of a tropical cyclone.

Tropical cyclones -impacts

Tropical cyclones try really hard to have an impact.

When a tropical cyclone hits land, it causes physical hazards. Complete the table below to link the

hazard with the effects:

Physical

hazards

Impacts on people Impacts on the environment

High winds

– at over

250km/hr

are strong enough to completely destroy

buildings and leave people homeless

can uproot trees and completely destroy

woodland habitats

Intense

rainfall

landslides can deposit sediment in rivers

and lakes which can kill fish and other

wildlife

Storm

surges

there is a shortage of clean water as it

is contaminated by water from the storm

surge

Coastal

flooding

Landslides

Tropical storm - intensity

Figure 20

Tropical cyclones –preparation and responses

Some countries are more vulnerable to the impacts of tropical

cyclones for different reasons. Complete the table below:

Physical vulnerability – Geographical location and site

1.

2.

3.

Economic vulnerability

1.

2.

Social vulnerability

1.

2.

3.

4.

Tropical cyclones –strategies to prepare and respond effectively

Complete the table below:

For

eca

stin

g

Eva

cuat

ing

Defe

nces

FED

Tropical cyclones – named examples

The impacts of a tropical cyclone depend on how a country prepares for and responds to the event. Wealthier, most developed countries e.g. the

USA tend to be better prepared so they can respond quickly. Summarise the details of the case studies

Developed country:

Name:

Location:

Date:

Developing country:

Name:

Location:

Date:

Forecasting

Forecasting

Warning and evacuation

Warning and evacuation

Defences

Defences

Impacts on the environment

Impacts on the environment

Impacts on people

Impacts on people