Imaginary Continent

Imaginary Continent Name ________________________ The Causes of Climate Introduction: In the last unit you studied the atmospheric conditions over a short period of time (weather), in this investigation you will explore how weather patterns affect the climate of an area. There are various types of climates across North America. Some of these include deserts, rainforests, and polar ice caps. Climates are categorized based on the climate ratio P/EP (Precipitation/ Evapotranspiration) The comparison of the amount of precipitation to the temperature of the area. Arid (<0.4), Semi-Arid (0.4-0.8), Sub-Humid (0.8-1.2), Humid (>1.2). Why do these differences occur? In this investigation you will use your knowledge of weather and water to identify climate zones. Problem - What factors cause differences in climate? Vocabulary Precipitation Evapotranspiration Water Deficit Water Surplus Procedure: 1) Using page 14 in the Earth Science Reference Table, label the pressure and moisture belts on the right of the map. Areas of the planet that are dry are associated with high pressure (sinking air). The North Pole has been done for you. 2) Using page 14 in the Earth Science Reference Table, draw in the planetary wind belts on the left side of the continent, the wind belt between 90:N and 60:N has been done for you. 3) There are two ocean currents on the map, label the currents either hot or cold based on their origin. 4) Draw Climatic Isolines on the imaginary continent. You will draw the following isolines: Arid: 0.4, Semi-Arid: 0.8, Sub-Humid: 1.2 *there are two separate climatic zones on the map. You should have two separate areas of climate zones* Connect the 0.4 values in a closed circle, continue to do this for the 0.8 and 1.2 isolines. Remember, you will have two separate sets of circles/isolines on your map** 5) Using colored pencils, color in the arid, sub-arid and sub-humid climate zones. Arid: <0.4 brown, Semi-Arid: 0.4-0.8 yellow, Sub-Humid: 0.8-1.2 green, Humid: >1.2 blue. CLIMATE ON AN IMAGINARY CONTINENT Pressure Belts HIGH DRY Questions: 1 2 3 4 1-4 MATCH THE YEARLY TEMPERATURE GRAPHS WITH THE LOCATIONS ON THE MAP 1. Monthly temperature variation for location "A". ________ 2. Monthly temperature variation for location "B". ________ 3. Monthly temperature variation for location "G". ________ 4. Monthly temperature variation for location "J". ________ The arrows drawn in the ocean along the coastline of the continent represent ocean currents. Answer the following questions based on the diagram of the continent and your knowledge of Earth Science. 5. Describe the direction of motion of these currents, __________________ (Clockwise or counterclockwise) 6. What motion of the earth causes these ocean currents to move this way? ___________________________ 7. What is the effect called of this motion of Earth? __________________ 8. What effect will the ocean currents along the west coast of the continent have on annual average temperatures of the west coast? Explain. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 9. What effect will the ocean current along the east coast of the continent have on the annual average temperature of the east coast? Explain. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 10. Location "F" has a colder temperature than other locations at the same latitude. Explain the reason for this observation. ____________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________ 11. Location "D" has greater average annual precipitation than location "E". Explain the reason for this observation.__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12. What type of climate is found at 0: latitude (temperature and moisture levels)? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 13. Using your knowledge of the temperature at the equator, describe the movement of the air which produces a humid climate. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 14. How does the range of yearly temperature compare for city B and city C? Explain your answer. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ 15. Using your knowledge in questions 11-13, why is the climate at 30:N and 30:S latitude arid? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Conclusion – Describe how EACH of the factors listed below affect a location’s climate. Latitude ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Elevation ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Orographic Effect ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Distance from a large body of water ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________