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Atmosphere, Seasons & Circulation

Atmosphere, Seasons & Circulation. Ms. Levensailor. Ocean and Atmosphere. Interact with each other. Water evaporated from the ocean enters the atmosphere. This impacts climates on land. Atmosphere is composed of: Nitrogen (78%) Oxygen (21%) Water vapor (1%). Atmospheric Movement.

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Atmosphere, Seasons & Circulation

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  1. Atmosphere, Seasons & Circulation Ms. Levensailor

  2. Ocean and Atmosphere • Interact with each other. • Water evaporated from the ocean enters the atmosphere. • This impacts climates on land. • Atmosphere is composed of: • Nitrogen (78%) • Oxygen (21%) • Water vapor (1%)

  3. Atmospheric Movement • Moves in response to: • Uneven solar heating • Earth’s rotation • Solar heating of Earth varies with latitude.

  4. Solar Heating & Seasons • Solar heating varies with seasons

  5. Large Scale Atmospheric Circulation • Warm air rises and cool air sinks. • Warm air expands and becomes less dense. • Cool air contracts and becomes more dense. • Convection currents: circular current of air.

  6. Convection Currents • If uneven solar heating was the only factor in Earth’s air circulation it would look like this

  7. Earth’s Rotation Plays a Role • Coriolis effect: eastward rotation of Earth on its axis deflects the moving air or water away from its initial course. • Coriolis effect: • Northern Hemisphere: curve is to the right (clockwise) • Southern Hemisphere: curve is to the left (counterclockwise)

  8. Coriolis Effect • Influences the movement of air in atmospheric circulation cells. • Air rising from the equatorial region moves poleward and is gradually deflected eastward. • Turns right in the Northern Hemisphere. • Turns left in the Southern Hemisphere.

  9. Coriolis Effect on Air Cells • Circulation cells are large circuits of air. • There are 3 cells in each hemisphere: • Hadley cells • Ferrel cells • Polar cells

  10. Atmospheric Circulation • Cells generate large scale surface wind patterns. • Trade winds (easterlies) centered at 15° N and 15° S latitudes. • Surface winds of the Hadley cells. • Westerlies centered at 45° N and 45° S. • Surface winds of the Ferrel cells.

  11. Circulation of the Ocean

  12. Mass flow of Ocean Water • Known as ocean currents. • Driven by wind and gravity! • Surface currents: wind-driven movement of ocean water at or near the ocean’s surface. • Thermohaline currents: slow, deep currents that affect the bulk of seawater below the surface. • Depends on density differences as a result of temperature and salinity.

  13. Surface Currents • 10% of the water in the ocean is involved in surface currents. • Water flowing horizontally in the upmost 400 meters. • Responsible force: WIND! • Surface winds form global patterns within latitude bands. • Northern Hemisphere surface currents flow to the right. • Southern Hemisphere surface currents flow to the left. • Continents block continuous flow and creates a circular pattern (GYRE).

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