Why is the earth’s surface heated unevenly?
Solar radiation strikes at different angles depending on latitude
Near the equator,
Sunlight hits directly with high intensity;
Near the poles,
Sunlight hits at a low angle, spread over a larger area
Net flow of heat in the atmospheres and ocean travels in which direction?
From the equator towards the poles
Surface winds flow…
Toward lower pressures and away from high pressures
Winds Aloft (in the upper atmosphere) flow…
From high to low pressure, but are deflected by the Coriolis effect
Polar cell
60-90 degrees with air rising at 60 and descending at the poles; produces Polar Easterly Winds
Ferrel Cell
30-60 degrees with air rising near 60 and descending near 30; produces Westerly Winds
Hadley Cell
0-30 degrees with air rising at the equator and descending near 30; produces Trade Winds & tropical rain belts
Trade Winds…
from 0-30 degrees, flow east to west
Westerlies winds…
from 30-60 degrees, flow west to east
Polar Easterly winds…
from 60-90 degrees, flow east to west
The Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) is…
The region near the equator where trade winds converge; rising air, low pressure, rainy weather
The Horse Latitudes are…
Around 30 degrees north & south; region of descending air, high pressure, dry weather
Sea breezes…
During the day, land heats faster, causing air to rise over land which moves cool air from sea to land
Land Breezes…
During the night, land cools faster, causing air to sink and move from land to sea
Subtropical Convergence…
Westerlies and Trade Winds drive water towards 30 degrees latitude; this causes convergence, downwelling of surface water and lower biological productivity.
What are the 4 main currents for ocean gyres?
Western boundary currents; Northern/Southern Boundary Currents; Eastern Boundary Currents; Equatorial Currents/Countercurrents
Warm transport occurs on which side?
Western sides
Cold transport occurs on which side?
Eastern sides
What is an Ocean Eddy?
A small, circular current of water that breaks off from a main current; short-lived and localized compared to large, steady ocean currents
Upwelling…
Winds drive surface water away from coast, bringing up nutrient rich water from the deep; occurs due to divergence
Downwelling…
Winds drive surface water towards the coast, sinking water
What direction do winds blow around Antarctica? (westerlies)
West to East
