Post on 17-Jan-2015
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Weather vs. Climate
Weather
• Over a short period of time
Climate
• Occur over a long period of time
Climate Zones
• The earth in divided into 6 climate zones• 2 Torrid Zones (warm all year)• 2 Temperate Zones (cooler and has seasons)• 2 Frigid Zones (cool to subzero all year)
Frigid
Frigid
Torrid
Torrid
Factors that affect climate
1. The sun– The sun strikes
the earth unevenly and certain parts of the earth receive more heat than others
2. Latitude – How far an area is from the equator
3. Elevation– Height above sea level– The higher you climb, the colder it gets
4. Large bodies of water– Precipitation and ocean currents affect climate
5. Mountain ranges
CLIMATES
• Wladimir Köppen developed classification system for climates
Tropical Climates
• Have high temperatures and heavy precipitation
1. Rainforest
2. Savanna
Dry Climate
1. Desert
• Desert – less than 10” of precipitation a year and big difference in nighttime and daytime temperatures
2. Steppe
Steppe – average 10-30” of rain a year
Mild Climates
1. Humid Subtropics
Humid subtropical – mild winters and hot, moist summers
2. Marine West Coast
Marine West Coast – dry winter with regular rainfall
3. Mediterranean
Mediterranean – found surrounding the Mediterranean Sea
Continental climates
• Seasonal extremes in temperature and precipitation
1. Humid Continental
Humid Continental – cold winters and warm to hot summers
2. Subpolar
Subpolar Climates – snow climates
Polar Climates
1. Polar Ice Cap
Polar icecap – permanent ice and snow
2. Tundra
Tundra – has snow, but has a short season when temperatures may rise above freezing
Highland Climates
• Resemble polar climates
Renewable vs nonrenewable resources
Renewable Resources
• Water• Soil• Air• Trees• Waterpower• Geothermal energy (heat from the Earth’s
interior)• Wind• Solar energy (energy from the sun)
Nonrenewable Resources
• Exist in limited quantities and cannot be replaced– Iron– Bauxite (make aluminum)– Fossil fuels (coal and petroleum)– Nuclear energy (uranium)