Geosystems Chapter 10 Flashcards

Questions and Answers

What is the definition of 'Climate'?

The weather over many years, including its variability and extremes. (correct)

A classification based on statistics.

A climate that features a dry season.

The study of climate and its variability.

What is the study of climate and its variability called?

Climatology

What are climatic regions?

Climatic analysis that locates areas of similar weather statistics and groups them.

What are the principal elements of climate?

Insolation, temperature, pressure, air masses, and precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

What is meant by classification in climatology?

The process of ordering or grouping data or phenomena into related classes. Signup and view all the answers

What are genetic classifications based on?

Causative factors, such as the interaction of air masses. Signup and view all the answers

What does empirical classification rely on?

Statistics or other data determined by measurement of observed effects. Signup and view all the answers

Which climate zone contains three subcategories and covers about 36% of the Earth's surface?

Tropical climate zones Signup and view all the answers

Describe the tropical rainforest climate.

A climate that is constantly moist and warm, rainy all year with dense vegetation. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the tropical monsoon climate?

A dry season lasting one or more months and rainfall brought by ITCZ. Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about the tropical savannah climate?

It exists poleward of the tropical rain forest climates with marked wet and dry seasons. Signup and view all the answers

What are mesothermal climates characterized by?

Mild winters and true seasonality in vegetation and soil. Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the humid subtropical hot-summer climate?

Hot summers and moist conditions throughout the year. Signup and view all the answers

What is a humid subtropical winter-dry climate characterized by?

Dry winters and a summer month with significantly higher precipitation. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the marine west coast climate.

Features mild winters and cool summers, influenced by maritime polar air masses. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes Mediterranean dry-summer climates?

70% of precipitation occurs during winter months, with dry summers. Signup and view all the answers

Where are microthermal climates found?

In mid to high latitudes with cold winters. Signup and view all the answers

What are the features of humid continental climates?

Differentiated by their annual precipitation distribution influenced by maritime tropical air masses. Signup and view all the answers

What is unique about the subarctic climate?

Experiences greater seasonal change and has a short growing season. Signup and view all the answers

What defines polar and highland climates?

No true summer with extremely low humidity and significant seasonal daylight variations. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes tundra climate?

Continuous snow cover for 8-10 months and permafrost conditions. Signup and view all the answers

Describe the ice-cap and ice-sheet climate.

All months average below freezing. Signup and view all the answers

What defines polar marine climates?

More moderate than other polar climates but still cold. Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of dry climates?

Characterized by permanent moisture deficits. Signup and view all the answers

What defines tropical, subtropical hot desert climates?

Temperatures above 18˚C and limited rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

What is notable about midlatitude cold desert climates?

Very small area with low moisture demand. Signup and view all the answers

What defines tropical, subtropical hot steppe climates?

Exist around the periphery of hot deserts with distinct seasonal patterns. Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes midlatitude cold steppe climates?

Located poleward of about 30˚ latitude with variable rainfall. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Climate and Climatology

Climate refers to the long-term patterns of weather, including variability and extremes over years.
Climatology is the scientific study focused on understanding climate and its fluctuations.

Climatic Classifications

Climatic regions are identified based on similar weather statistics, aiding in organizing climate data.
Classification involves grouping data or phenomena into related categories for analysis.

Principal Elements of Climate

Key elements influencing climate include insolation (solar radiation), temperature, atmospheric pressure, air masses, and precipitation.

Types of Climatic Classifications

Genetic classification is based on causative factors, particularly interactions of air masses.
Empirical classification relies on statistical data from observations and measurements.

Tropical Climate Zones

Tropical climates encompass approximately 36% of Earth’s surface and are primarily found between 20˚N and 20˚S.
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) causes seasonal rainfall as it migrates, influencing warm ocean temperatures.

Specific Tropical Climates

Tropical rainforest climates are characterized by high moisture, daily convectional thunderstorms, and dense vegetation, resulting in low mineral-rich soil.
Tropical monsoon climates experience a dry season, significant rainy months caused by the ITCZ, particularly along coastal areas.
Tropical savannah climates have wet summers and dry winters; vegetation is primarily grasslands with scattered trees.

Mesothermal Climates

Mesothermal climates exist in midlatitudes, featuring moderate winters and seasonal changes in ecology and human activities.
They comprise 27% of Earth's surface and significantly influence agricultural productivity.

Humid Subtropical Climates

Hot-summer humid subtropical climates experience consistent convectional showers due to warm, moist air interactions throughout the year.
Winter-dry humid subtropical climates see significant rainfall during summer months, with dry conditions in the winter.

Marine and Mediterranean Climates

Marine West Coast climates are notable for mild winters and cool summers, often affected by maritime polar air masses.
Mediterranean climates receive the majority of precipitation in winter, characterized by dry summer conditions and drought-resistant vegetation.

Microthermal Climates

Defined by cold winters, microthermal climates cover large areas in mid to high latitudes and are found primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.

Humid Continental Climates

Humid continental climates have varied precipitation patterns influenced by different air masses; they support significant agricultural practices in the US.

Polar and Highland Climates

These climates feature extreme seasonal changes, with no true summer and significant variations in sunlight and temperature throughout the year.

Tundra and Ice Climates

Tundra climates maintain continuous snow cover for much of the year, characterized by permafrost and minimal vegetation except in brief summer months.
Ice-cap and ice-sheet climates are marked by all months averaging below freezing, prevalent in polar regions.

Dry Climates

Dry climates are defined by permanent moisture deficits, covering over 35% of Earth's land area, with sparse vegetation typical of deserts and steppes.

Desert and Steppe Climates

Tropical and subtropical hot desert climates have annual temperatures above 18˚C and minimal precipitation, primarily via summer convectional showers.
Midlatitude cold deserts are defined by low precipitation and temperature variability, while hot steppe climates experience dry summers and wet winters.

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Test your knowledge of key terms from Chapter 10 of Geosystems. This quiz covers essential concepts related to climate, climatology, and climatic regions. Ideal for students looking to enhance their understanding of climatic elements and their implications.