Describe why we have seasons. Explain how direct insolation migrates around the globe over the course of a year. Describe the formation of high and low pressure belts and how these... Describe why we have seasons. Explain how direct insolation migrates around the globe over the course of a year. Describe the formation of high and low pressure belts and how these result in dry and wet conditions on the earth. Explain how unequal heating of the Earth leads to surface ocean gyres. Explain what factors determine the characteristics of western and eastern boundary currents. Explain the relationship between global wind belts and surface ocean current movement and their temperature. Explain how the coriolis effect and continents can deflect these currents. Explain how proximity to these ocean currents can influence the climate of an area. Explain the formation and characteristics of cold- and warm-core rings. Explain how ocean gyres form and which direction they rotate in the northern or southern hemisphere. Apply surface ocean current movement to the formation of ocean garbage patches. Describe how Ekman transport affects the movement of ocean water in gyres and with relation to upwelling and downwelling zones. How do precipitation, freshwater runoff, evaporation, and freezing affect the density and salinity of ocean water? How might global warming affect thermohaline circulation? Identify the physical layers of the ocean, such as the mixed layer, the thermocline, the halocline, and the pycnocline. Describe the formation of deep ocean density currents and their movement around the globe. Explain the benefits to marine life by upwelling. Describe the human impacts on the ocean, including ocean acidification and the Pacific Garbage Patch. Describe el nino and la nina.
Understand the Problem
The question is asking for an explanation of various oceanographic and atmospheric phenomena, including seasons, ocean currents, pressure systems, thermohaline circulation, and their implications on climate and ecosystems. It requires a detailed overview of complex interactions between different environmental factors and their effects.
Answer
Earth's axial tilt causes seasons by varying sun exposure; this affects insolation and pressure belts, influencing climate and ocean currents.
Seasonal changes are due to the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbit, causing differential exposure to sunlight. Insolation changes with the Earth's tilt and orbit, creating patterns of high and low pressure belts. These affect wet and dry conditions and drive surface ocean gyres through wind patterns.
Answer for screen readers
Seasonal changes are due to the tilt of the Earth's axis relative to its orbit, causing differential exposure to sunlight. Insolation changes with the Earth's tilt and orbit, creating patterns of high and low pressure belts. These affect wet and dry conditions and drive surface ocean gyres through wind patterns.
More Information
The tilt of Earth's axis is about 23.5 degrees, which is why we experience different seasons. As the Earth orbits the Sun, the hemispheres are alternately tilted toward or away from the Sun, creating seasonal variations in temperature and daylight duration.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking seasons are caused by Earth's distance from the Sun rather than its axial tilt.
Sources
- Why Do We Have Seasons? - National Weather Service - weather.gov
- What Causes the Seasons? | NASA Space Place - spaceplace.nasa.gov
- Global Atmospheric Circulation Archives - MetLink - metlink.org
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