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GLOBAL CIRCULATION. most winds are driven by pressure differences in the atmosphere. pressure differences can be created by: . More heating occurs at the equator due to higher sun angles. Jet stream. an upper level wind belt located at the.
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GLOBAL CIRCULATION • most winds are driven by pressure differences • in the atmosphere • pressure differences can be created by:
More heating occurs at the equator due to higher sun angles
Jet stream • an upper level • wind belt located • at the
(red arrows) and semi- • permanent high and low pressure cells
(red arrows) and semi- • permanent high and low pressure cells
cause the oceans to circulate in a • series of
a temporary shift in the climate of the planet • results due to the
Feedback--: Feedback “loops” are important in short term weather events and for long-term climate change ---the response of a system to a stimulus moderates or decreases the initial change e.g. the atmosphere warms evaporation increases more clouds form more reflection of solar radiation occurs the atmosphere cools
---response of a system to a stimulus amplifies the initial change (“vicious cycle” or “snowball effect”) e.g.: the atmosphere warms the oceans warm warm water absorbs less CO2 CO2 increases in the atmospherethe atmosphere warms more
Why paleoclimatology? • to understand the controls that shape • our present climate • to explain many present day geologic and • biologic patterns on the Earth • to (hopefully) predict future climate change