Reading...
Play button
Play button
Use LEFT and RIGHT arrow keys to navigate between flashcards;
Use UP and DOWN arrow keys to flip the card;
H to show hint;
A reads text to speech;
200 Cards in this Set
- Front
- Back
|
evidence of continental drift
|
- plant and animal fossils found on different continents
- specific rocks found on multiple continents -climactic evidence: till deposit along equator (polar drift) - the continents "fit together" |
|
|
continental drift
|
-developed by Alfred Wegener
- the continents were once joined in a "super continent" called the pangaea - overtime, the continents drifted apart -this was true in the majority, however the continents do not "drift". They are instead spread apart by the "conveyor belt" action of the subduction and building of oceanic lithosphere. - a useful animation: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8e/Pangea_animation_03.gif |
|
|
evidence in the ocean floor
|
-geomagnetic reversals: alternating strips of high and low magnetism. They are recorded like this because of the iron-bearing minerals in the basaltic ocean floor (magnetite) align with the prevailing field.
-age: older rock near subduction zones |
|
|
volcano formation in areas of subduction
|
- the subducting lithosphere is heated by the above mantle rock. This turns it to magma, which rises since it is hot and less dense. The subducting lithosphere forms a trench, while the rising magma reaches the surface. After multiple eruptions, a mound of cooled igneous and pyroclastic material is formed... a volcano!
|
|
|
volcanic arc
|
- a chain of volcanoes along a convergent boundary.
- ring of fire |
|
|
volcanic island arc
|
- volcanoes formed on the sea floor, that grow large enough to reach the surface, and form land masses above the water. A chain of these together is an arc. (Allutions, Japan)
|
|
|
why is there tectonic plate movement?
|
- The upper mantle is heated to a plastic solid from the energy given of by radioactive isotopes and the earth's internal heat. AS it slowly flows, it moves the top, rigid lithosphere, causing plate movement.
|
|
|
divergent
|
-plates move apart, usually on the crest of an ocean ridge
- splits continents in half by creating sea floor spreading. -creates bodies of water within continents (red sea) - creates rift valleys (when lithosphere moves apart, the middle section goes down) -mid Atlantic ridge, east pacific rise, east African rift valley - can form shield volcanoes, when plates move apart, they create cracks that lava rises to fill |
|
|
Convergent
(land-land) |
-two plates move towards each other, and the denser one goes under the other.
-when collide, form complex mountain ranges (cascade mountains, rockies) |
|
|
Convergent
(ocean-land) |
- ocean goes under the land b/c the ocean lithosphere is denser
- oceanic lithosphere melts b/c of hot asthenosphere - creates deep ocean trenches -creates volcanoes--> form volcanic arc -mariana trench, japan trench, aleutian trench, Peru-Chile trench |
|
|
Convergent
(ocean-ocean) |
-older, denser oceanic lithosphere subducts. Water is squeezed out from subducting plate and is melted into a hot wedge by the melting rock above.
- volcanic activity (rising, hot lava) -creates oceanic volcanoes that grow up from the ocean floor--> volcanic island arc |
|
|
transform
|
-two plates slide past each other, neither subducting nor creating oceanic lithosphere
-mendocino fault, Juan de Fuca ridge, San Andres Fault. |
|
|
Himalayas
|
-in south asia
-created by convergent collision plate boundary (land-land) |
|
|
Aleutian Islands
|
- a chain of volcanic islands
- in the northern pacific ocean by Alaska - a volcanic island arch produced by volcanic activity along a convergent subduction plate boundary (ocean-ocean) |
|
|
Red Sea
|
-between Africa and Asia
-created by a divergent boundary, that split apart the continents of Africa and Asia, creating oceanic lithosphere |
|
|
East African Rift Valley
|
- a rift valley in the great rift valley area
-created by a divergent plate boundary |
|
|
Andes Mountains
|
-western coast of South America
- created by Convergent Collision (land-land) -land collided, forming mountains |
|
|
San Andreas Fault
|
- a fault in California
- a transform boundary, causes many earthquakes |
|
|
Japan
|
- a volcanic island arc created by convergent subduction (ocean-ocean)
|
|
|
Phillippeans
|
- a volcanic island arc created by convergent subduction (ocean-ocean)
|
|
|
Cascade Mountains
|
- in western north America from southern British Columbia through Washington and Oregon.
- formed through Convergent Collision (land-land) |
|
|
mid atlantic ridge
|
- a divergent tectonic plate boundary
|
|
|
east pacific rise
|
- a mid-oceanic ridge on a divergent plate boundary
|
|
|
felsic magma
|
- viscous
-causes violent eruptions (pressure builds up from behind the slow-moving magma and forces it out in a violent explosion) |
|
|
mafic magma
|
- not viscous, more runny
-gentler eruptions, not as much pressure from behind it |
|
|
pahoehoe
|
-ropey texture
- not viscous - like "pulled taffy" -basaltic -more fluid than Aa -hotter -smooth skin that wrinkles as it flows |
|
|
Aa
|
slow moving
viscous forms irregular, sharp, jagged formations -basaltic -too slow moving to be seen |
|
|
magma has:
|
70% water
15% Co2 5% nitrogen 5% sulfur ( do not need to know exact percents, but you should know the composition and order) |
|
|
viscosity
|
- a substance's resistance to flow (syrup v water)
- the warmer something is, the less viscous (think about the oil lab) - the more silica, the more viscous |
|
|
Rhyolitic Lava
|
- lava with high silica content
-continental - very viscous |
|
|
Basaltic Lava
|
- lava with low silica content
-oceanic -not viscous |
|
|
Andesitic Lava
|
- in between Basaltic and Rhyolitic lava
-moderate silica content |
|
|
hot spots
|
- intraplate volcanism forms hot spots
-mantle plumes rise towards surface to fill space made by divergent plate movement |
|
|
Shield volcano
|
-accumulation of fluid, basaltic lavas
-broad, slightly domes -iceland |
|
|
Cinder Cone
|
- ejected lava fragments hardened in air and built cinder cone
-gas rich basaltic and rhyolitic lava -steep slope -for very quickly |
|
|
Composite Cone
|
- also called stratovolcanoes
-large, symmetrical mountain of lava and pyroclastic materials -most explosive eruptions -ring of fire -most explosive |
|
|
caldera
|
a depression of a collapsed volcanoe
|
|
|
Volcanic neck
|
made of magma that hardened in a volcano's pipe, and was later exposed to erosion
|
|
|
pyroclastic materials
|
-particles produced by volcanic eruptions
-basaltic lava is extruded:gas propels lava up which hardens in the air |
|
|
ash
|
-fine
- bits of volcanic rock - extruded during a volcanic eruption -can be dangerous |
|
|
lapilli/cinders
|
- pebble sized
-hot pyroclastic material -from volcanic eruption |
|
|
blocks
|
-large pyroclastic materials
-can be as large as a desk |
|
|
epicenter
|
-the point directly above the focus
|
|
|
focus
|
-the point of orgin for an earthquake
|
|
|
compositional layers
|
lithosphere, asthenosphere, upper mantle,lower mantle, outer core, inner core,
|
|
|
modified mercalli scale -
|
measures earthquake's intensity based on diffirent areas
increases closer to epicenter |
|
|
Richter Scale-
|
measures magnitude
outdated |
|
|
Moment Magnitude-
|
more precise
measures magnitude estimates energy exerted by an earthquake |
|
|
Surface waves
|
-on surface
- slower then body waves - much larger---> more destructive |
|
|
Body Waves
|
-energy released at focus
-P and S waves |
|
|
P waves
|
-primary waves
-propogates a push-pull compression-extension motion -faster then S waves -can move through both liquids and solids |
|
|
S waves
|
- secondary waves
-only travel through solids |
|
|
Love waves
|
-faster then rayliegh waves
-causes horizontal surface damage (side to side) |
|
|
Rayleigh Waves
|
- moves in elliptical motions
-most shaking |
|
|
Zone of Saturation
|
Area underground where water fills all open spaces. Upper limit is the water table.
|
|
|
Zone of Aeration
|
Area underground where sediment is not saturated with water. Above the water table.
|
|
|
Porosity
|
Percent of the total volume of rock/ sediment that consists of pore spaces. (V void/V total) x 100 = porosity
|
|
|
Permeability
|
A material's ability to let water seep through.
|
|
|
Confined Aquifer
|
Can be shallow or deep. Separated from surface by impermeable layer.
|
|
|
Unconfined Aquifer
|
Close to surface. Below permeable layer.
|
|
|
Artesian well-
|
A well where the groundwater rises above the level of the confined aquifer. Opening is above recharge line.
|
|
|
Flowing Artesian Well
|
A well where the groundwater reaches the surface under its own pressure. Opening is the same as or lower than recharge line.
|
|
|
Recharge
|
When water goes into an aquifer
|
|
|
Spring-
|
When groundwater emerges naturally at the surface. Forms whenever the water table intersects the ground surface and when an aquitard blocks downward movement of groundwater.
|
|
|
Non-point Contamination
|
Causes of groundwater contamination that is from all over. Examples: salt
|
|
|
Point Contamination
|
Causes of groundwater contamination that are from one place. Examples: sewage
|
|
|
what are the divisons of the geo-time scale from smallest to largest?
|
epoch
period era eon |
|
|
mesozoic era-
|
-age of reptiles
There was the triassic period. The first dinosoars developed. flowering plants (angiosperms) and small mammals. Later there was a massive extinction that could be cause by either a massive meteorite or violent volcanic eruptions in India.and gynosperms (plants with seeds and no protective coat) developed. In the Jurassic as plate movements started to split the Pangaea an ocean started to form between north America and Africa. dinosaurs floursihed and birds evolved. In the cretaceous period more dinosoars |
|
|
Paleozoic era-
|
- life "explodes"many new organisms evolved in a short time in the Cambrian era. In the eraly paleozoic there was only sea life. Cambrian animals were the first to form hard parts (shellsexoskeletons etc) and there was lots of coral and spongy sea plants. Next was the Ordovician period. Organisms evolved into more complex animals. The first land plants were present. They were primitive plants called liverworts that lived in damp areas. As these seeds spread across the land the plants added more oxygen to the atmosphere. Towards the end was a gigantic extinction either caused by an ice age or volcanic eruptions. After was the Silurian period. THere were many coral reefs built. The first jawless fish appeared and they later developed armored plates.plants like moss spread over land and fossils suggest tat arthropods started to develop on land.
|
|
|
precambrian-
|
4.56 bya to 1 bya. earth formed from dustit's gravity pulling in more and more matter. It was compressed into a ball from pressure and the heaviest materials sank to the center while lighter materials stayed at the top. Many million years later earth cooled and the mantle and crust turned to rock. Later the atmosphere developed and ocean and rain formed. Continents formed from plate tectonics. the earliest life evolved in the ocean with simple one celled organisms that used photosynthesis. later multi celled organisms with soft bodies developed.
|
|
|
cenozoic era-
|
-65 mya to today, mesozoic mammals were mostly scavengers and plant eaters. Mammals survived because of their ability to adapt. The first was the tertiary. The Pangaea split and continents formedcooled and glaciers formed. In the quaternary period there were a series of ice ages and mammals became larger. Humans later developed.
|
|
|
relative dating
|
types of dating that do not give a specific date
|
|
|
absolute dating
|
dating that gives a specific absolute date
|
|
|
what are zircons?
|
-crystals that form when magma erupts.
|
|
|
why do we use zircons?
|
-they are a tough non-reacting mineral that resists weathering so they do not erode over time
|
|
|
useful instability
|
-zircons have unstable (radioactive) uranium
|
|
|
radioactive decay
|
the rate of exponential decay of a radioactive element. unstable atomic nuclei spontaneously break apart
|
|
|
index fossils
|
- a single fossil that existed during a short period of time but was wide spread during that time and is unique to that period of time that can be used to identify rocks as being within that period of time.
|
|
|
correlate rock layers.
|
sometimes rock layer can be eroded in the rock record or unconformities can occur
|
|
|
Uniformitarianism
|
the idea that thing that occurs today occurred long ago.
|
|
|
Petrified fossils-
|
an organism's remains are petrified and seem "turned to stone". Mineral rich water has soaked into the pores and cavities of the organism and minerals have precipitated out to fill the spaces.
|
|
|
Molds and Casts-
|
Molds are made when a shell or another structure is buried in sediment and then dissolved by underground water. It reflects the shape and surface marking of the organism but not the internal structure. Casts created when the hollow spaces of a mold are latter filled with mineral matter.
|
|
|
carbon films-
|
delicate details of leaves and animal parts. an organism is buried in a layer of fine sediment. Overtime the pressure squeezes out any liquids or gases
|
|
|
preserved remains-
|
an organism is preserved in things like amber
|
|
|
trace fossils-
|
evidence of life such as footprints or fossilized dung
|
|
|
conditions of fossilization-
|
rapid burial and possession of hard parts
|
|
|
principle of fossil succession
|
fossil organisms succeed each other in a definite and determinable order.
|
|
|
principle of natural selection
|
organisms that adapt are more likely to survive
|
|
|
theory of evolution
|
organisms evolve and become more complex over time.
|
|
|
potassium argon method
|
geologists measure ratio of potassium(parent) to argon(daughter)
|
|
|
rubidium to strontium method
|
geologists measure ratio of strontium(daughter) to rubidium(parent)
|
|
|
carbon 14 dating (radiocarbon dating)
|
when an organism dies the amount of carbon 14 gradually decays into carbon 12. This ratio can be compared to show a date. However the half life is rather short and can't be used to date most geologic time events. It can only date up to 75
|
|
|
renewable energy
|
energy that is plentiful and can easily be replenished.
|
|
|
non-renewable
|
energy that there is a fixed amount of.
|
|
|
coal
|
non-renewable.Coal is combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. The energy comes from the energy stored in plants that lived millions of years ago.it is the most abundant fossil fuel in America
|
|
|
oil
|
nonrenewable. Oil forms when animal and/or plant remains are covered by sand and silt layers over an extended period of time. Heat and pressure turn them into crude oil. It is then extracted from the ground and sent to a refinery.There is not enough being produced.
|
|
|
solar
|
Renewable.Solar energy is the sun’s rays (solar radiation) that reach the Earth. The energy is then converted into other forms of energy.Solar energy is significant as the amount of sunlight there is. It can be used in the future as long as there is sunlight. Solar energy is used as heat and electricity.Solar energy does not produce pollution or greenhouse gasses.The amount of sunlight on the earth is not constant
|
|
|
Wind
|
renewable. Wind is converted to electricity. It is harnessed by wind turbines. There are several different types of turbine such as horizontal axis wind turbines and vertical wind turbines. It is used for electricity. 0.072 quadrillion btu’s were used in resent years but 26
|
|
|
Biofuels
|
renewable.Biofuels are transportation fuels that are made from biomass materials. They are usually blended with petroleum fuels. Biofuels produce a significant amount of energy because they power all cars at trucks
|
|
|
Tidal/ waves
|
renewable.Water and tidal currents are harnessed for electricity in turbines.It is used to replace coal burning and produces electricity. Eight turbines can supply electricity to 500 homes. If many were built they could ease dependence on non-renewable sources of energy
|
|
|
geothermal
|
renewable. Heat form within the earth. People use it by digging deep wells and pumping heated underground water/steam to the surface.It is used for heating systems
|
|
|
half life
|
the point in time when half of the parent product has decayed into the daughter product.
|
|
|
fossil fuel's impact
|
fossil fuels are burned. realeasing co2
|
|
|
how are minerals different from rocks?-
|
a mineral is a naturally occurring inorganic substance with an ORDERLY CRYSTALLINE PATTERN AND DEFINITE CHEMICAL COMPOSITION.
|
|
|
how do minerals form?
|
-crystallization from magma: elements combine to form minerals
|
|
|
Mineral groups
|
silicates:silicon and oxygen
|
|
|
Carbonates:carbon
|
oxygen and one or more metallic element.
|
|
|
what are the properties of a mineral?
|
color, streak, crystal form , hardness, cleavage, fracture, density,
|
|
|
color
|
small amounts of different elements give minerals different colors
|
|
|
streak
|
streak is the color of a mineral in powdered form. Metallic minerals have a dense dark streak and nonmetallic minerals do not.
|
|
|
crystal form
|
a visual expression of a minerals internal arrangement of atoms. It is the shape of the crystals a mineral forms.
|
|
|
hardness
|
minerals can be rated on the mohs scale which goes from 1(softest) to 10 (hardest)
|
|
|
Cleavage
|
the tendency of a mineral to cleave or break along flat plane
|
|
|
fracture
|
minerals that do not show cleavage when broken
|
|
|
density
|
the ratio of and objects mass to it's volume. d=m/v
|
|
|
what is step 1 in the rock cycle?
|
lava (above ground) or magma (subterranean) cools and "crystallizes" (some exceptions like extremely fast cooling rocks such as obsidian). into igneous rock.
|
|
|
what is step 2 in the rock cycle?
|
the igneous rock is weathered by things like wind
|
|
|
what is step 3 in the rock cycle?
|
there are two routes. Dissolved particles precipitate out and form a solid sedimentary rock OR sediment is cemented and compacted into sedimentary rock.
|
|
|
what is step 4 in the rock cycle?
|
Sedimentary rock is exposed to heat and pressure
|
|
|
what is step 5 in the rock cycle?
|
the metamorphic rock is exposed to even greater heat and pressure so it turns back into magma
|
|
|
how are metamorphic rocks classified?
|
foliated and non foliated
|
|
|
Characteristics of metamorphic rock
|
-some can have bands of color (foliated)
|
|
|
foliated
|
when minerals align in a certain direction. This causes a banded appearance.
|
|
|
non-foliated
|
no bands or banded texture.For example
|
|
|
Slate
|
very fine grained. Smooth and dull surface with a dark blue/ black color. More compressed and dense version of shale. Foliated
|
|
|
Quartzite
|
hard with large quartz grains
|
|
|
Gneiss
|
foliated. Has black and white bands of mineral medium to coarse grains
|
|
|
Marble
|
no foliated.interlocking calcite and dolomite grains
|
|
|
Anthracite
|
dark in color. Fine grained
|
|
|
Rhyllite
|
foliated. Fine grained. breaks along wavy surfaces
|
|
|
Schist
|
Foliated. medium to coarse with black and some white areas not in an organized pattern.
|
|
|
characteristics of igneous rocks.
|
-contain crystals in no specific pattern
|
|
|
how are igneous rocks classified?
|
texture and composition
|
|
|
intrusive igneous rocks
|
rocks that form when magma hardens beneath Earth's surface. Theses rocks ussually are a solid mass of large interlocked crystals.
|
|
|
extrusive igneous rocks
|
rocks that form when lava hardens
|
|
|
coarse grained texture
|
dependent on the rate of cooling. Coarse grained rocks are a result of slow cooling.
|
|
|
fine grained texture
|
a result of the rapid cooling of magma
|
|
|
Glassy Texture
|
lava is cooled so fast that there is not enough time for ions to arrange themselves into a network of crystals. Instead there are randomly distributed ions.
|
|
|
Porphyritic Texture
|
there are large crystals surrounded by fine grain crystals. This is caused by a large body of magma that hardens over a long period.
|
|
|
Granatic Composition
|
light colored silicate minerals quartz and feldspar are the main minerals. Most also have some dark minerals (10%) like biotite mica and amphibole.
|
|
|
Balsaltic Composition
|
rocks that have a mainly dark coloration from dark silicate minerals and plagioclase feldspar. They are more dark and dense then granit rocks. They make up the ocean floor.
|
|
|
andesitic composition
|
rocks that have a composition between balsaltic and granatic rocks.
|
|
|
Granite
|
granitic composition. coarse grained.Lightest in color of coarse grained rocks.
|
|
|
Diorite
|
coarse grained. Medium dark. about 50% dark minerals 50% light.Andesitic composition.
|
|
|
Gabbro
|
coarse grained. Darkest of coarse grained sedimentary rocks. Basaltic composition.
|
|
|
Rhyolite
|
fine grained. Lightest of fine grained rocks. Granitic composition.
|
|
|
Andesite
|
andesitic composition. fine grain. Medium dark with about 50% dark grains and 50% light grains.
|
|
|
Basalt
|
fine grained. Basaltic composition. Darkest of the fine grained rocks.
|
|
|
Pumis
|
has pores
|
|
|
Obsidian
|
dark in color with glassy texture.
|
|
|
formation
|
see the "rock cycle" set
|
|
|
Biome
|
A major community or space characterized by dominant forms of plant and animal life and the prevailing climate.
|
|
|
Sling Psychrometer
|
This is the instrument used to measure humidity. It is composed of one dry bulb and one wet bulb. The principle behind this instrument is the rate at which the water evaporates from the wet bulb. The temperature of the wet bulb temperature will never be higher than that of the dry bulb because when the water evaporates it takes with it heat
|
|
|
Why are do you feel warmer on muggy days?
|
You feel warmer because your sweat is not evaporating. Sweat cools you when you start to heat because when the sweat evaporates it takes energy with it
|
|
|
Specific Humidity
|
The amount of water vapor in a specific portion of air. It does not
|
|
|
Relative Humidity
|
Relative humidity shows how close the air is to saturation. For example
|
|
|
Hail
|
A form of precipitation. Irregular ice balls that are caught in up-drafts. They form layers based on how many times they are caught and released from these updrafts.
|
|
|
Cyclones
|
Areas of low pressure. Air rises and spins inward
|
|
|
Anti-Cyclones
|
Are areas of high pressure. Air falls and spins outward in a clockwise direction. On weather maps they appear to be composed of farther apart isobars.
|
|
|
Isobars
|
Isobars are constantly moving lines that indicate areas of equal pressure. Close together isobars indicate areas of low pressure. These steep pressure gradients experience fast winds and lots of rain and/or snow. Far apart isobars indicate high pressure areas.
|
|
|
Variables that effect wind speed
|
- Pressure differences
-friction -obstruction |
|
|
Cloud Formation
|
Clouds form when several conditions are present. There must be condensation nuclei (such as dust) in the air for vapor to condense onto
|
|
|
Dry Adiabatic Rate
|
The temperature decrease in a pocket of air as it rises in altitude before the air reaches 100% relative humidity (saturation). It is never lower than it's wet counterpart.
|
|
|
Wet Adiabatic Rate
|
The temperature decrease in a pocket of air as it rises when it reaches saturation. It is always smaller than its dry counterpart because the condensation of water vapor in the air creates latent heat
|
|
|
Stable Air
|
Air that's at/below the temperature of that of the surrounding air.
|
|
|
Unstable Air
|
Air that is above the temperature of its surrounding air.
|
|
|
What is wind?
|
It is a result of differences of air pressure; areas of high pressure move to low pressure. The sun is the ultimate source of energy for wind.
|
|
|
Coriolis at Equator
|
Is being exposed to the most sun
|
|
|
30 degrees Coriolis
|
Area of high pressure
|
|
|
60 degrees Coriolis
|
An area of low pressure. Here is the polar front
|
|
|
90 degrees Coriolis
|
High pressure. This is because it is very cold
|
|
|
Why does the Wind blow from the sea to the land in the Morning but from land to the sea at Night?
|
Since the land is a better absorber of heat than water is
|
|
|
Warm Front
|
Forms when warm air moves into an area where colder air used to be. There are usually stratus clouds coupled with rain/snow. They have a gradual slope of temperature increase. On the map they look like red lines with red semi circles pointing to the cooler air.
|
|
|
Cold Front
|
Forms when cool air moves into an area where warm air previousely was. There are typically cumulonimbus clouds
|
|
|
Stationary Front
|
Forms when the surface position of a front does not move. It is usually marked by gentle to moderate weather. they appear on weather maps as a line with both blue triangles pointing to warmer air and red semi circles pointing to the cooler air.
|
|
|
Occluded Front
|
Forms when a faster moving cold front overtakes a slower moving warm front. With a steeper front
|
|
|
Mid-lattitude Cyclone
|
A large area of low pressure that usually travels from west to east and causes stormy weather. They have a cold or warm front at the center
|
|
|
Air pressure Measurement
|
Measured in Millibars using a Micrometer
|
|
|
Sources of Wind
|
Solar Energy: Heats air and creates areas of low pressure and high pressure relatively.
|
|
|
Rain/Drizzle
|
Between .5-2 inches of precipitation. Rain droplets must have condensation nuclei to coalesce on.
|
|
|
Snow
|
Needs a condensation nuclei
|
|
|
Cumulus
|
puffy clouds (heaps) associated with cold fronts.
|
|
|
Stratus
|
Flat clouds
|
|
|
Cirrus
|
Wispy
|
|
|
Cumulonimbus
|
Towering clouds that are in all levels of the atmosphere. Have flat heads. They appear gray and cause extreme weather (hail
|
|
|
Alto
|
Prefix for middle altitude atmosphere
|
|
|
Cirro
|
Prefix for clouds in upper atmosphere
|
|
|
Temperature Inversion
|
Usually occurs when there is an occluded front
|
|
|
What, When, Where and Why does El Niño and La Niña occur?
|
[Literal Spanish] 'boy' Occurs around Christmas-time, when the trade winds become weaker. This causes South American west coast water to become warmer (which causes fish to leave because there are fewer minerals in warmer water), as well as increase the surface pressure in Southeast Asia and decrease the surface pressure in Southwest South America. And because of the heat, the air in South America in which this takes place turns into lower pressure, so there is more precipitation. It's counterpart 'girl' causes generally the opposite of what 'boy' does: There is more precipitation in Southeastern Asia, it happens whenever 'boy' isn't and occurs when the trade winds become stronger (normal).
|
|
|
Biome
|
A major community or space characterized by dominant forms of plant and animal life and the prevailing climate.
|
|
|
Desert
|
Koppen-Bwh:Hot and dry, characterized by less than 10 inches precipitation annually, not many plants (short plants), grass, moss. Animals burrow.
|
|
|
Steppe
|
Koppen-Bs:Hot summers, cold winters (semi-arid), deserts/tall praries. Plants have deep roots (to collect water), and the animals can burrow. They are on the leeward side of a mountain.
|
|
|
Savanna
|
Koppen-Aw:Have 2 seasons, wet and dry [wet- more precipitation, dry-less precipitation]. Grass, scattered trees (which need too much water so they only grow in wet season). Elephants, mostly grazers and their predators, many are hooved to run and have long legs and wings.
|
|
|
Rainforest
|
Koppen-Af:Yearround warmth, between 68-93 degrees F, 77-88% rainfall: sometimes over 100 inches of rain. 70% of plants are trees, have smooth, thin bark. Animals are mainly 4 legged mammals (e.g. monkeys, sloths) adapted to live in trees. Very well-watered.
|
|
|
Alpine
|
Koppen-H:Cold, snowy, windy and 10,000ft. Summers are 10-15 degrees C and winters below freezing. Plants grow in stocks, die over winter but regrow from their seeds. The animals are warm-blooded, have long fur and travel in herds. On a mountain, sandy/rocky soil.
|
|
|
Tundra
|
Koppen-E:Cold, dry in winter, short, cold, wet ground. In addition to moss, there are low/short plants and hairy for insulation (to keep warm). The animals have fur (e.g. foxes) and blubber. It is a wetland because the soil isn't absorbable.
|
|
|
Taiga
|
Koppen-Dfc: Dominated by cold, arctic air, turned from Sun during winter, rainy, hot and short summer, temperatures in winter are -65-30 degrees F and 30-70 degrees F in summer. The rainfall is around 12-33 inches. Only evergreens grow here. All predators also live here. It is a subarctic forest, lots of snow, and is the largest biome in the world.
|
|
|
Grasslands
|
Koppen-Bs:Temperatures range, at 55 degrees N and 35 degrees S. Has clovers, plants have deep roots (to resist wind). The animals can burrow (e.g. dung beetle and burrowing owl). It is flat with no nearby mountains, constant winds and has very deep, dry soil.
|
|
|
Deciduous Forest
|
Koppen-Cf:Mild summers, 70 degrees F, below freezing winters, 4 seasons, near ocean, and 32 inches precipitation annually. The plants lose all of their leaves (American Beech). It's main animal is the American Bald Eagle.
|
|
|
Chaparral
|
Koppen-Cs:Hot and dry in summer, winter mild and moist (but not rainy). 30-100 degrees F, found in 30-50 degrees N and 30-40 degrees S. It has trees and bushes with large roots, and fires start quickly because of the dry climate and foliage. A typical animal is the aardwolf (mix between aardvark and wolf). There isn't much soil.
|
