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WHAT ARE CLIMATE ZONES & OCEAN CURRENTS?
Ocean currents are directed, continuous movements of ocean water. They are found on the ocean’s surface and in its depths, and can be local or global. Ocean currents are driven by winds, water density, and tides. Sea floor features and coast lines can influence the speed and direction of currents.
To better understand climate zones & ocean currents…
WHAT ARE CLIMATE ZONES & OCEAN CURRENTS?.
Ocean currents are directed, continuous movements of ocean water. They are found on the ocean’s surface and in its depths, and can be local or global. Ocean currents are driven by winds, water density, and tides. Sea floor features and coast lines can influence the speed and direction of currents.
To better understand climate zones & ocean currents…
LET’S BREAK IT DOWN!
Coriolis Effect
The Coriolis effect is a global wind pattern that is caused by the rotation of Earth, which rotates on its axis every 24 hours. Because of the rotation and tilt of Earth’s axis, certain latitudes move faster than others. For example, the North and South poles have less distance to move to make a complete rotation and are moving at a slower rate. The Equator has the furthest distance to move and is moving at the fastest rate. As air currents move from one latitude to another, they begin moving at the same rate of speed as their point of origin. However, the latitude that they are moving towards may be moving faster or slower. Consequently, the air currents “bend” because the Earth under them is moving at different rates. Air currents are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Coriolis Effect The Coriolis effect is a global wind pattern that is caused by the rotation of Earth, which rotates on its axis every 24 hours. Because of the rotation and tilt of Earth’s axis, certain latitudes move faster than others. For example, the North and South poles have less distance to move to make a complete rotation and are moving at a slower rate. The Equator has the furthest distance to move and is moving at the fastest rate. As air currents move from one latitude to another, they begin moving at the same rate of speed as their point of origin. However, the latitude that they are moving towards may be moving faster or slower. Consequently, the air currents “bend” because the Earth under them is moving at different rates. Air currents are deflected to the right in the Northern Hemisphere and to the left in the Southern Hemisphere.
Light Intensity
Light intensity measures how much energy is hitting a surface. Light travels in a straight line until it hits something else that may block or reflect the light in a different direction. When light travels in a straight line from the Sun to Earth and hits its surface at a 90° angle, it is the most intense and transfers the most energy (solar radiation). When light hits the surface of Earth at a smaller angle, less energy and solar radiation is transferred because the light is spread out over a larger area of Earth’s surface.
Light Intensity Light intensity measures how much energy is hitting a surface. Light travels in a straight line until it hits something else that may block or reflect the light in a different direction. When light travels in a straight line from the Sun to Earth and hits its surface at a 90° angle, it is the most intense and transfers the most energy (solar radiation). When light hits the surface of Earth at a smaller angle, less energy and solar radiation is transferred because the light is spread out over a larger area of Earth’s surface.
Tropical Zone
The Tropical Zone is the region of Earth found in the middle of the globe. This climate zone can be found between the latitude lines of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This zone accounts for 36% of Earth’s landmass and is home to about a third of the world’s people.
The Tropical Zone is warm all year, averaging 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit) because it gets more exposure to the Sun. Because of all that sun, the tropics don’t experience the kind of seasons the rest of Earth does; there are just two: the wet season and the dry season.
Tropical Zone The Tropical Zone is the region of Earth found in the middle of the globe. This climate zone can be found between the latitude lines of the Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn. This zone accounts for 36% of Earth’s landmass and is home to about a third of the world’s people.
The Tropical Zone is warm all year, averaging 25 to 28 degrees Celsius (77 to 82 degrees Fahrenheit) because it gets more exposure to the Sun. Because of all that sun, the tropics don’t experience the kind of seasons the rest of Earth does; there are just two: the wet season and the dry season.
Temperate Zone
The Temperate Zone is the region of Earth found between the Tropical Zone and the Polar Zones. The Temperate Zone is sometimes called the mid-latitudes because they exist roughly between 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south latitude. There is a greater variety of climates in the Temperate Zone—those areas near oceans have much different climates than those that are found in the middle of large land masses.
Temperate Zone The Temperate Zone is the region of Earth found between the Tropical Zone and the Polar Zones. The Temperate Zone is sometimes called the mid-latitudes because they exist roughly between 30 degrees and 60 degrees north and south latitude. There is a greater variety of climates in the Temperate Zone—those areas near oceans have much different climates than those that are found in the middle of large land masses.
Polar Zone
The Polar Zones are the regions that extend from 66.5 degrees north and south latitude to the North and South Poles. Within each polar zone are two distinct subregions, the ice cap and the tundra. The north and south polar regions are very different. The north is dominated by the Arctic Ocean, and it is dotted by islands belonging to several different nations. The south is the continent of Antarctica which is one large landmass that doesn’t belong to any nation.
Polar Zone The Polar Zones are the regions that extend from 66.5 degrees north and south latitude to the North and South Poles. Within each polar zone are two distinct subregions, the ice cap and the tundra. The north and south polar regions are very different. The north is dominated by the Arctic Ocean, and it is dotted by islands belonging to several different nations. The south is the continent of Antarctica which is one large landmass that doesn’t belong to any nation.
CLIMATE ZONES & OCEAN CURRENTS VOCABULARY
Atmospheric Circulation
The large-scale movement of air which distributes heat across the surface of Earth.
Thermal Energy
A type of kinetic energy that refers to the energy within a system that is responsible for its temperature.
Climate Zones
Areas with distinct climates.
Latitude
Horizontal measure on a globe or a map of a location north or south of the Equator.
Ocean Current
A continuous, directed movement of sea water which can be generated by wind, the Coriolis effect, or density
Climate
The long-term average of weather, typically averaged over a period of 30 years.
A circulation pattern created by fluids (liquids or gasses) in which less dense fluids rise and denser fluids sink.
The amount of mass per volume.
A measure of the intensity of light hitting Earth’s surface.
The concentration of salt in water or soil.
CLIMATE ZONES & OCEAN CURRENTS DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Describe the relationship between the Sun and climate zones.
The angle of the Sun causes its light to strike different latitudes with different intensities. For example, the Sun’s rays strike the Equator with greater intensity than they do the North Pole. Additionally, the sun is always directly over the Equator, as a result, this area is always much warmer than the North Pole.
What are three climate zones and where do they occur?
The Tropic of Cancer and the Tropic of Capricorn are found at 23.5° N latitude and 23.5° S latitude. The Equator lies in the middle of these two latitudes, in the area known as the Tropical Zone. The Temperate Zones cover the area between the Tropic of Cancer and the Arctic Circle and the area between the Tropic of Capricorn and the Antarctic Circle. The Polar Zones are the areas from the Arctic or Antarctic Circles to the North and South Poles.
How do ocean and air currents help regulate the temperature of Earth?
Ocean and air currents work together to distribute heat and moisture around Earth. Less-dense air and water rise; denser air and water sink. This creates a series of circulation systems that span the globe. These systems typically flow clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere and counterclockwise in the Southern Hemisphere.
Why do the prevailing winds blow from west to east in the Northern Hemisphere?
The Coriolis effect describes why air currents “bend” to the right or East in the Northern Hemisphere. The Coriolis effect is caused by the rotation of Earth and the speed at which it does so at different latitudes.
Describe the cause and effect relationship between density and ocean currents.
Water that is of a lower temperature or a higher salinity has a greater density, and sinks to the ocean floor. It is replaced by surface water, which then becomes cold and/or salty. This creates a system of deep-water and surface currents circulating around the globe.
Describe the relationship between air rising and sinking and rainforests. What is the relationship between rising and sinking air and deserts?
When air rises, water vapor in the air condenses to form clouds and precipitation. This increases the moisture in the area which can lead to the formation of a rainforest. In areas where air sinks, water vapor is reduced, and the air becomes dryer. This reduction of moisture can lead to the formation of a desert.
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