Shaping Our Planet

The Water Cycle

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9Yi4dAzHsc

EvaporationConversion of a liquid to the vapor state by the addition of heat

Transpirationis the evaporation of water from plants

Condensation• Condensation is the process by which water

vapor in the air is changed into liquid water.• Condensation is crucial to the water cycle

because it is responsible for the formation of clouds.

Precipitation

• Rain, Snow and Ice

Draw the Water Cycle

Water Cycle

The Rock Cycle• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=53lMdHzvGCQ

Climate and Weather

LatitudeElevationMountain BarriersProximity to WaterOcean CurrentsStormsAtmospheric Pressure

Latitude

• Warmer air “holds” more water• Low pressure=warm air=precipitation• High pressure=cold air=dry air

Elevation

• Equator receives most insolation• Hot air rises, heads towards poles• Air becomes heavy and sinks at 30°N and S• Plus the Coriolis effect

Elevation

• For each 1,000 foot rise in altitude there is a 4°F drop in temperature.

• For example, if at sea level the average temperature is 75°F, at 10,000 feet the average temperature would be only 35°F. This has a dramatic effect on plant and animal distribution.

Mountain Boundaries

Proximity To Water

Proximity to WaterLake Effect Snow

Ocean currents

• Follow same circular pattern (driven by wind)• Warm currents flow away from equator, pile up on

eastern shores– Gulf Stream, Brazil

• Cold currents flow towards equator, cause upwelling– Humboldt/Peru, California

El Niño (more rain)

La Niña (less rain)

Storms• Start at low pressure centers• Warm air rises• Water evaporates with energy from sun

• With condensation, energy is released

Atmospheric pressure

• Air is a fluid• Warmer air is less dense• Air moves from dense to less dense conditions• Ex.: Land-sea breezes

Natural Processes That Change Climates

Climate Changes

Solar Activity• When the sun is most active, it contains dark

blemishes called sunspots. The formation of sunspots appears to correspond with warm

periods in Europe and North America. Earth Motions

• Geographic changes in Earth’s land and water bodies cause changes in climate.

• Changes in the shape of Earth’s orbit and the tilt of Earth on its axis are other Earth motions

that affect global climates.

Human Impact on Climate Changes

Climate Changes

The Greenhouse Effect• The greenhouse effect is a natural warming of both Earth’s lower atmosphere and Earth’s surface

from solar radiation being absorbed and emitted by the atmosphere.

Global Warming• As a result of increased levels of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, global

temperatures have increased. This increase is called global warming.

http://www.universetoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/solsticeandequinox.jpg

Tropical Rainforest

Desert

           

•Mediterranean

Marine West Coast

•Humid Continental

Highland

Tundra

Steppe

Humid Subtropical

Savanna

Ice Cap

Subarctic