Questions and Answers
An area defined by characteristic, long-term weather patterns is called?
Many of the desert regions of the southwestern U.S. have developed as a result of?
Climate is?
As distance from the equator increases, seasonal variation in temperature tends to?
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Which climate is characterized by the largest change in monthly average temperatures?
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Based on principles discussed earlier in the course, you know that coastal areas located adjacent to cold ocean currents experience __________.
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In which of the following areas would the least amount of precipitation occur?
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Based on principles discussed earlier in the course, you know that areas dominated by maritime air masses will be relatively __________, and that those dominated by cT air masses will be relatively __________.
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Regarding average annual precipitation, which of the following is correct?
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Duluth, Minnesota, Moscow, and Saint Petersburg, Russia are within which climate classification?
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Which of the following is not true of the tundra zone?
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Which of the following lists the correct, generalized sequence of climates from the equator to the poles?
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Which type of plants grow in desert climates?
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A climate that is mesothermal and has a long, hot, dry summer would be designated by which of the following?
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The tropical rain forest climate receives most of its rainfall as a result of?
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Which of the following is false regarding the tropical rain forest climate?
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Which of the following is false regarding the tropical rain forest ecosystem?
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Which of the following climate types is characterized by soils that are so wet they are extremely low in nutrients?
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The dry season in the tropical monsoon climate occurs when?
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Which of the following characterizes a tropical savanna climate?
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The tropical savanna climate has?
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The Pacific Northwest region of the U.S. is a moist environment because of?
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Humid subtropical hot summer climates typically experience?
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Which of the following is not true of marine west-coast climates?
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Precipitation mechanisms in marine west-coast climates do not include which of the following?
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Which of the following is false regarding the Mediterranean classification?
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Mediterranean dry-summer climates?
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Which of the following is true of the Mediterranean climate?
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Los Angeles, located in a Mediterranean climate zone, is kept __________ during the summer because of the presence of __________.
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Which type of vegetation grows in the Mediterranean climate?
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Which of the following is not true of the humid continental, hot-summer climate regions in North America?
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Which climatic region contains and feeds the greatest number of people in the world?
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Which of the following is not true of the subarctic climate regions of Canada and Asia?
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The condition of the atmosphere at any given time and place is called climate.
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Climates can be stable over several human generations, and also change over longer time periods (thousands to millions of years).
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Climatic regions are characterized by distinctive weather patterns.
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The climate of an area can be classified in different ways depending upon the criteria used to define it.
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A climograph is a mechanical instrument used for measuring climates.
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The soils in tropical environments are nutrient-rich as indicated by the vast amount of vegetation that grows there.
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The ITCZ migrates with the high Sun and influences the tropical monsoon climates.
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Land in the tropics that is cleared for agricultural crop production is very fertile and will require little, if any, fertilizer to maintain intensive agriculture.
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The Mediterranean climate requires the use of irrigation for most crops.
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Chaparral is a type of vegetation found in subarctic climates.
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Tundra can occur on high mountains as well as in the coastal margins of the subarctic realm.
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Antarctica is buried under thousands of feet of ice because heavy snowfalls occur there each year.
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Study Notes
Climatic Definitions and Concepts
- A climatic region is defined by long-term weather patterns.
- Climate refers to long-term atmospheric conditions, encompassing temperature extremes and patterns.
- As distance from the equator increases, seasonal temperature variation tends to increase.
Climate Classifications
- Desert regions in the southwestern U.S. arise from their interior position and nearby mountain ranges.
- The subarctic climate has the largest monthly temperature fluctuations.
Precipitation Patterns
- Coastal areas near cold ocean currents have less precipitation than those near warm currents.
- The least precipitation occurs on the leeward side of mountains.
- Areas dominated by maritime air masses tend to be wet, while those influenced by cT air masses are dry.
Rainfall and Vegetation Types
- The tropical rain forest climate receives most rainfall through convectional uplift, with nutrient-poor soils and low light penetration at the forest floor.
- Xerophytic plants are characteristic of desert climates, while chaparral vegetation thrives in Mediterranean climates.
- Mediterranean climates experience dry summers and wet winters, requiring irrigation for agriculture.
Characteristics of Specific Climatic Zones
- The tropical savanna climate has a wet summer and dry winter, influenced by the ITCZ for only part of the year.
- Marine west-coast climates are characterized by stability provided by mP air masses and experience varied precipitation mechanisms except the ITCZ.
- The humid continental climate in North America has significant frontal activity and receives most precipitation during summer.
Geographical Influences on Climate
- The Pacific Northwest's moist environment results from maritime air masses, mountains, and prevailing winds.
- Humid subtropical climates typically see dry winters and wet summers influenced by monsoonal conditions.
- The ITCZ migrates with the sun’s position, impacting tropical monsoon climates.
Observational Concepts
- Climatology considers both stable climate over generations and longer-term shifts spanning thousands to millions of years.
- Climographs are not mechanical instruments but graphical representations showing climate data over time.
- Anthropogenic changes can affect soil fertility and agricultural viability in tropical regions.
Misconceptions and Clarifications
- The atmosphere's condition is not termed climate; it represents current weather.
- Dry conditions in Mediterranean climates arise from high-pressure systems rather than seasonal influences alone.
- Tundra exists in both high mountain regions and coastal subarctic margins, highlighting diverse climatic adaptations.
Notable Climate Characteristics
- The Mediterranean climate is marked by hot, dry summers, and the bulk of precipitation occurs in winter.
- Climates can be characterized by distinctive weather patterns with potential variations based on classification criteria.
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Description
Test your knowledge on climatic regions and desert development in the southwestern U.S. through this quiz. Questions cover long-term weather patterns and the geographical factors contributing to desert formation.