Geography

• What is the global circulation system?

  The global circulation system is the movement of air in each hemisphere of the earths surface.
• Where is the Hadley cell located?

  The Hadley cell extends from the equator (0° to 30°) in the north and south.

  
• What happens in a Hadley cell?

  At the Hadley cell:

  - Warm air (due to the equator) rises, cools and condenses to form clouds, causing a low pressure leading to unstable weather conditions.

  
• Where is the Ferrel cell located?

  The Ferrel cell is located 30-60° North and South of the Equator.

  
• What happens at the Ferrel cell?

  At the Ferrel cell:

  - Winds pulled towards the poles and pick up moisture as they travel over oceans.

  - Warm air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds, causing a low pressure leading to unstable weather conditions.

  
• What happens between the Hadley and Ferrel cells?

  Between the Hadley and Ferrel cells:

  - Air sinks creating high pressure (dry + clear sky conditions)
• What happens at the polar cell?

  At the polar cell:

  - Air sinks creating a high pressure (dry + clear sky conditions)

  
• What is high pressure?

  High pressure occurs when air sinks, causing dry and clear sky conditions.
• What is low pressure?

  Low pressure occurs when air rises, cools and condense to form clouds, causing wet and cloudy conditions.
• What is precipitation?

  Precipitation is the moisture that falls from the atmosphere (rain, sleet, snow, hail...)
• Where is the polar climate zone located?

  Polar climate zone is located at 90° north and south of the equator.

  
• What happens at the polar climate zone?

  At the polar climate zone:

  - Cold air sinks causing high pressure.

  - Dry and clear skies.

  
• Where is the temperate climate zone located?

  Temperate climate zone is located 50°-60° north and south of the equator.

  
• What happens at the temperate climate zone?

  At the temperate climate zone, air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds, leading to a low pressure.

  - Heavy rainfall

  - Typical of the UK

  
• Where is the subtropical climate zone?

  The subtropical climate zone is at 30° north and south of the equator.

  
• What happens at the subtropical climate zone?

  At the subtropical climate zone, air sinks causing high pressure, which creates a belt of deserts.

  
• Where is the tropical climate zone?

  Tropical climate zone is at the equator (0°)

  
• What happens at the tropical climate zone?

  At the tropical climate zone, air rises, cools and condenses to form clouds, leading to a low pressure.

  This results in heavy rainfall.

  
• What are tropical storms?

  Tropical stormsare intense low-pressure weather systems that bring strong winds, heavy rainfall and storm surges to some parts of the world.
• Where do tropical storms occur?

  Tropical storms occur typically between 5° and 30° north and south of the equator with temperature at the surface of the ocean at more than 27°c.
• How is a tropical storm formed?

  1) Ocean surface waters reach 27°C due to solar heating.

  2) Warm air rises causing low pressure.

  3) Warm, moist air is drawn upwards creating strong winds.

  4) Warm air cools and condenses to form cumulonimbus clouds.

  5) Cumulonimbus clouds form the eye wall of the storm.

  
• What is the Coriolis Effect?

  The Coriolis effect is the effect of Earth's rotation on the direction of winds and currents.
• How does latitude affect temperature?

  As latitude increases (gets further away from the equator), the average yearly temperature decreases.
• How does continentality (distance from sea) affect temperature?

  Places close to the sea have slightly cooler summers, milder winters, and higher rainfall than places inland.
• How does altitude affect temperature?

  As altitude increases, temperature decreases.
• How do prevailing winds affect temperature?

  If the prevailing wind comes from the sea than there will be cool summers and mild winters. If the prevailing wind comes from the land there will be warm summers and cold winters.
• How do ocean currents affect temperature?

  Ocean currents flowing away from the equator are called warm currents, while those flowing towards the equator are called cold currents.
• What influences global extreme weather conditions?

  Climate change influences global extreme weather conditions.
• What happens during El Nino?

  During El Nino:

  - Trade winds weaken

  - Water moves eastwards towards South America

  - Warm ocean pushes towards South America

  - Warm air rises, creating flooding in South America (HP)

  - Cold air sinks, creating droughts in Australia (LP)

  
• What happens during La Nina?

  During La Nina:

  - Trade winds strengthen

  - Water moves westwards towards Australia

  - Warm ocean pushes towards Australia

  - Warm air rises, creating flooding in Australia (LP)

  - Cold air sinks, creating droughts in South America (HP)
• What happens in Australia and South America during El Nino?

  During El Nino:

  Australia - Drought

  South America - Floods
• What happens in Australia and South America during La Nina?

  During La Nina:

  Australia - Flood

  South America - Drought

  
  

  NINA CRIED IN AUSTRALLIA...
• What are some impacts of tropical storms?

  - Strong winds

  - Heavy Rainfall

  - Damage to infrastructure

  - Crop failure

  - Livestock dying
• What are some impacts of tropical storms on LIDCs?

  - Poor quality housing

  - Less money to spend on emergency services and improving housing quality

  - Livelihoods damaged for farmers whose crops/livestock die
• What are some responses to tropical storms?

  - Scientists use data from satellites/radars to track storms.

  - Better developed buildings/infrastructure

  **Some of these are not possible in LIDCs.
• Why do people live in hazardous areas?

  - Natural disasters are not frequent

  - Fertile land useful for growing crops

  - Stay close to friends and family
• What is a drought?

  Adroughtis a prolonged period when rainfall is below average.
• What causes droughts?

  Drought conditions are caused by natural changes in atmospheric circulation, but can also be made worse by human activities.
• What are the four layers of the earth?

  crust, mantle, outer core, inner core.

  
• What are characteristics of the crust?

  The crust is the outermost layer of the earth:- It is eithercontinental(found under land masses or continents) oroceanic(found underneath the oceans).- The Earth's crust is broken into plates.