Effect of Global Warming on

(A) Monsoons
About 80% of annual rainfall in India occurs during the monsoon season from June
through September. Factors that could perturb rainfall regularity include:
1.) the higher holding capacity of moisture of the warmer air, but also
2.) more complex phenomena like cooling in the higher atmosphere which changes
current pressure and thereby rainfall patterns.
Extreme rainfall bears the risk of flooding and crop failure, it said. The study says
increased variability translates into potentially severe impacts on people who cannot
afford additional loss.
Even if seasonal mean precipitation would remain unchanged, impact could be
substantial because even if rainfall comes in a spell and is followed by a drought, this can
be devastating.
Even if global warming would be limited to the internationally acknowledged threshold
of 2 degrees Celsius of global warming, this would bear the risk of daily monsoon rainfall
variability in India between 8% to 24%.
Predictions of weather events associated with the monsoons will only get more difficult
with climate change. As we pump more carbon dioxide into the air, the increasing
temperatures will shift weather systems that are tied into the monsoon. These include
the El Nio Southern Oscillation, sea surface temperatures, and even aerosols, which are
tiny particles of soot and black carbon our industries emit

(B) Coral Reeves
Warmer water temperatures brought on by climate change stress corals because they are
very sensitive to changes in temperature. If water temperatures stay higher than usual
for many weeks, the zooxanthellae they depend on for some of their food leave their
tissue. Without zooxanthellae, corals turn white because zooxanthellae give corals their
color. White, unhealthy corals are called bleached. Bleached corals are weak and less
able to combat disease.




Much of the carbon dioxide that enters the atmosphere dissolves into the ocean. In fact,
the oceans have absorbed about 1/3 of the carbon dioxide produced from human
activities since 1800 and about 1/2 of the carbon dioxide produced by burning fossil
fuels. As carbon dioxide in the ocean increases, ocean pH decreases or becomes more
acidic. This is called ocean acidification.
With ocean acidification, corals cannot absorb the calcium carbonate they need to
maintain their skeletons and the stony skeletons that support corals and reefs will
dissolve. Already, ocean acidification has lowered the pH of the ocean by about 0.11
units.
Ocean acidification affects more than just corals. Snails, clams, and urchins also make
calcium carbonate shells and ocean acidification negatively impacts these organisms as
well. Just like corals, ocean acidification makes it harder for these organisms to absorb
the calcium carbonate they need to build their shells.
In 1998 an El Nio weather pattern sparked the worst coral-bleaching event ever
observed. Over 16 percent of the world's reefs were lost in that one year.
In coral reefs around the world thousands of marine species find food and shelter, which
in turn support economically valuable recreational and commercial fishing.
Coral reefs also form a breakwater for adjacent coasts, providing natural protection
from storm surges.
Coral reefs are hotspots for the tourism industry, which thrive on providing visitors with
unforgettable scuba diving and snorkeling experiences. The coral reefs off the
Florida Keys help generate more than $1.6 billion in revenues annually.

(C) Mangroves
Mangrove forests live in two worlds at onceat the interface between land and sea
anchoring their stilt-like roots in brackish waters where other plants cannot grow.
Mangroves host a variety of fish and wildlife, including wading and sea birds.
Benefits for Humans and Wildlife
Mangroves play a critical role in (1)protecting lives and property in low-lying
coastal areas from storm surges, which are expected to increase with global
warming. They also (2)stabilize shorelines and (3)improve water quality.
Mangrove ecosystems (4)serve as breeding, feeding, and nursery grounds for
many shellfish, fish, and other wildlife.


Threats from Global Warming
Rising sea levels and changing salinity pose the most serious threats to these ecosystems.
Coral reefs provide the first barrier against currents and strong waves. When they are
destroyed, the stronger-than-normal waves and currents reaching the coast can
undermine the fine sediment in which the mangroves grow. This can prevent seedlings
from taking root and wash away nutrients essential for mangrove ecosystems. Damage to
mangroves from increased wave action is expected to rise.
(Other threats include Clearing, Overharvesting for firewood, Dams etc reduce fresh
water reaching mangroves increasing salinity, Oil pollution and wastes reaching
mangroves)


(D) Cyclones
How does a Cyclone form?
Ans. Many factors influence tropical cyclone behavior, but three factors must be present
for them to intensify: warm ocean temperatures (hurricanes can occur when surface
ocean temperatures exceed about 26 degrees Celsius), low vertical wind shear, and high
humidity. As warm, moist air rises, it lowers air pressure at sea level and draws
surrounding air inward and upward in a rotating pattern. As the water vapor-laden air
spirals in and rises to higher altitudes, it cools and releases heat as it condenses to rain.
This cycle of evaporation and condensation brings the ocean's heat energy into the
vortex, powering the storm.
Impact of Global Warming
Using the latest global climate computer models to simulate tropical cyclones around the
world, the study found that the storms will become more intense as global warming
heats the oceans.
Such storms are fuelled by evaporation from the ocean. (1) Warmer water means
faster evaporation, which means more energy to power the storm. (2) A warmer
atmosphere can hold more moisture, which means more rain.

(3) Diminished braking mechanism. Tropical cyclones generate strong winds that
mix the ocean's surface waters, churning up colder water from below. This colder water
typically serves to weaken a storm; however, if deeper waters become too warm, this
natural braking mechanism is diminished.
Also, global warming indirectly aides the destructive effects of the cyclones by destroying the
natural first barrier i.e. Coral reefs and second barrier i.e. Mangroves. These barriers protect the
coastal areas against cyclones.
These storms may produce 45 percent more power, generating stronger winds, rain and
storm surges around the world, says a study by the Massachusetts Institute of
Technology (MIT).
The study found that during the 90-year period, when the average global temperature
has increased by 0.7 degree C, extreme hurricanes similar to Katrina, were nearly twice
as likely in warmer years as colder years.



(E) Glaciers
Global sea level has increased by roughly 8 inches over the past century, and the rate of
increase is accelerating. Global warming causes sea-level rise in two ways: (1) Ocean
water is expanding as it warms. (2) Land-based ice in glaciers and ice sheets is melting.
The world's oceans have absorbed about 20 times as much heat as the atmosphere over
the past half-century, leading to higher temperatures not only in surface waters (e.g.,
depths of less than 100 feet) but also down to substantial depths, with the most severe
warming occurring in the first 1,500 feet below the surface. As this warming occurs, the
oceans expand and raise sea level. This expansion, combined with the inflow of water
from melting land ice, has raised global sea level more than one inch over the last
decade.
Sea-level rise has been happening even faster than scientists anticipated a few years ago.
If recent projections are accurate, 2-3F warming could bring about 3 feet of global sea-
level rise by 2100, displacing approximately 56 million people in 84 developing countries
around the world. Coastal habitats also face major changes as low-lying areas are
inundated with saltwater.
Declining sea ice is one of the most visible signs of global warming on our planet.
Covering an average of 9.6 million square miles, these areas of ice floating on ocean
waters play an important role in regulating our climate, by reflecting some sunlight back
to space, and in the life cycles of many polar species, such as polar bears, seals, and
walruses.





Effects of Melting of Glaciers:
(A) Increased iceberg calving can bring changes to the Antarctic ecosystem by
blocking sunlight needed for the growth of microscopic phytoplankton , the
base of the marine food chain.
(B) In addition to the increased presence of icebergs, smaller icebergs that break
off from a larger mass can form dams along the coast, preventing some of the
pack ice from drifting out to sea in summer. This increased ice cover can cause
a decline in plankton productivity due to reduced sunlight penetration.
(C) Large icebergs also can disrupt penguin colonies and interfere with breeding
success.
(D) Massive flooding is predicted in areas where glaciers are receding, particularly
in the Himalayas. By one estimate, 20 percent of Bangledesh will be under
water by 2020 if the current rate of glacier melting continues.
(E) The absence of glaciers will have a significant effect on late summer streamflow
and stream temperature in mountainous watersheds (drainage basins). Both of
these properties are important in maintaining fish populations.
(F) Moreover, many sources of drinking water for large cities in mountainous regions
would be negatively affected.
(G) Potential change in precipitation patterns. Some more some less.


El Nino, La Nina
El Nio and La Nia events are a natural part of the global climate system. They occur
when the Pacific Ocean and the atmosphere above it change from their neutral (normal)
state for several seasons. El Nio events are associated with a warming of the central and
eastern tropical Pacific, while La Nia events are the reverse, with a sustained cooling of
these same areas.
These changes in the Pacific Ocean and its overlying atmosphere occur in a cycle
known as the El NioSouthern Oscillation (ENSO). The atmosphere and ocean
interact, reinforcing each other and creating a feedback loop which amplifies small
changes in the state of the ocean into an ENSO event. When it is clear that the ocean and
atmosphere are fully coupled an ENSO event is considered established.
Impact of El Nino on Monsoon
Even a 5% reduction in monsoon rains would have a major impact: a 10% fall is an official
drought. Even if the 2014 El Nio turns out not to be a very hot one, it can still have a major
effect on the monsoon because it is the specific location of the warm Pacific water which is
the critical factor. The moderate El Nios of 2002 and 2009 impacted the monsoon in India
much more greatly then the major 1997 event.






Earthquake:
An Earthquake is a vibration or oscillation of the surface of the earth caused by a
transient disturbance of the elastic or gravitational equilibrium of the rocks at or beneath
the surface.
Magnitude of earthquake is measured by the ritcher scale(0pen ended). It is a
logarithmic scale that is increase by 1 in scale has 10 times larger intensity and therefore
there is large difference in effects of 6 and 7 ritcher and even larger difference between 7
and 8.Earthquakes intensity is measured byMercalli scale(I to XII).
Seismograph is an instrument used for detection and measurement of
Earthquake. Seismogram is a record of en earthquake that is seismic wave detected by
seismograph and its plot.
Homoseismal line joins places which experience the earthquake at the same time.
Isoseismal line joins places with same intensity of earthquake.
The place of origin of earthquake is called focus aka hypocentre which is hidden inside
earth and the place on surface of earth which is perpendicular to buried focus is
call epicenter of the earthquake. A place diametrically opposite of epicenter on earth
surface is called Antipode.
Deep earthquake is when focus is at large depth under ground whereas it is called
shallow earthquake when it is at lower depth. Shallow earthquake causes high
destruction in nearby areas of epicenter while deep earthquakes ripple effects can be felt
at large distances.
Causes of Earthquake
There are two major reasons of earthquake. One is sudden erruption of volcanos. Other
is disturbance in the movement of tectonic plates.
The outer layer of the earth is divided into many sections known as plates which are
floating on the molten magma beneath the earths crust. The movement of these plates is
determined by convection currents in magma. Therefore after intervals there are plates
that get submerged in the molten magma and there are plates that rise upwards and at
times even new crust or plates are formed. At times these plates can be pushed up to
form mountains and hills. These plates are the bases on which the continents stand.
Most of the earthquake occur on the edges of the plates where a plate is under, on or
across another plate. This movement disrupts the balance and position of all plates,
which leads to tremors.
Earthquake occured on 16 april 2013 in Iran, pakistan and India was a deep earthquake
where its hypocenter was at depth of 82 km. A deep-seated quake points to its being
caused not due to a surface fault but due to a faulting in the subduction
zone. Subduction zones occur when oceanic crust of one tectonic plate dives under the
oceanic crust or continental crust of another and there is a build-up of strain energy in
the plates. The region has complex tectonics with the Indian plate subducting obliquely
under the Eurasian plate in particular.It is thus prone to large quakes and the 2005
Muzaffarabad temblor and the 1935 Quetta earthquake were examples. No fewer than
four major tectonic plates (Arabia, Eurasia, India and Africa) and minor smaller tectonic
blocks such as the Oman plate are converging and the compression that is taking place is
responsible for seismicity and tectonics in the region.