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CLIMATE
Key Concepts
Latitude
As the latitude increases, the smaller the angle the suns rays strike the
surface.
The closer the place is to the equator, the warmer the climate; the farther the
place is from the equator the colder the climate.
Altitudes
Greenhouse effect
Green house gases absorb heat, preventing them from flowing out of the
earth. Naturally, greenhouse gases play an important role in keeping the earth
warm. The earth would be very cold if there were no greenhouse gases that
absorb heat.
Global temperature increase when the amount of greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere increases
Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO2) 50%, Methane (CH4) 18%,
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 14%, nitrous oxide (N2O) 6%, ozone (O3) 12%.
Greenhouse effect happens when there is too much carbon dioxide in the
atmosphere.
Ocean Current
Ocean currents will either cool or warm the air above them.
Cold currents bring cold water while warm currents take along warm water.
Coriolis Effect deflects the ocean currents.
Ocean current affects the temperature of the nearby land mass. Warm
currents move from the equator towards poles carry warm water. On the other
hand, cold currents travel from the poles towards the equator carry cold
water.
El Nio and La Nia
El Nio is an abnormal and lengthy warming in the eastern part of the Pacific
Ocean. This natural phenomenon occurs at irregular intervals of two to seven
years and last for nine months or two years at most. Usually, it starts at the
end of the year or during Christmas season that is why; it is termed as El Nio
which means Christ child.
La Nia opposite climatic disturbance to El Nio. It may last for nine to twelve
months but in some cases, it lasts for two years. This event is triggered by the
cooling of the eastern part of the Pacific Ocean. Thats why, it is sometimes
called cold Pacific.
Glossary