KISS NOTES GEOGRAPHY

2. Weather and Climate V1

 Oceanic Circulation
- Ocean currents distribute heat around the Earth.
- Warm water currents move water away from the
equator, while cold water currents move water
towards the equator.
- Eg: Gulf Stream and the Humboldt Current

Climate Change
- How the average climatic conditions change.
- Earth’s history is divided into glacial (cold) and
interglacial (warm) periods

Tricellular model
Impacts of Climate Change
- Food Production: Rising temperatures = lower crop yields
which leads to food insecurity.
- Sea level Rise: The melting of land-based glaciers causes sea
levels to rise. Island countries like the Maldives are in danger.
- Retreating Glaciers: Meltwater communities rely on glaciers
for water, so water will run out long term due to melting.
The UK Climate
- Located between 50 and 60 degrees of the Equator. Climate is
best described as temperate; no extreme events occur here.
- Over the last 1000 years, the climate has changed.
- Medieval Warm Period: 950-1100, grape vines grew due to
high temperatures, which led to increased population
- Little Ice Age: 1600-1850, temperatures were so low that the
river Thames froze over. Crop failures occurred as a result.
- These variations in climate were due to volcanic activity.
Natural Causes
- Milankovitch Cycles (Eccentricity): The shape of
the orbit of the Earth changes over 100,000 years
from elliptical to circular. So, the Earth is closer or
farther away from the Sun and receives varying
solar radiation, which changes temperature.
- Solar Variation: Every 11 years, the radiation
outputted by the Sun increases, so the Earth
receives more radiation, and temperatures rise.
Evidence of Climate Change
- Tree Rings: As trees grow, they produce growth
rings in their stumps. They are wider in warmer
climates and thinner in colder climates. Useful, but
only gives information about the lifespan of the tree
- Ice Cores: Drilled sections of ice from ice sheets in
Antarctica. Volcanic ash and air are compressed in
the layers, and these can be analysed.
Human Causes
- Industry: Increased demand for goods leads to
more industry that requires energy from fossil fuels.
- Farming: More people = higher demand for fuel.

Tropical Storms General Information

- Can only form in oceans greater than 26/27° Celsius, 70 metres deep, and 5-30° north and south of the equator.
- Take energy from oceanic heat and moisture, so they die out on land because they would be disconnected from water.
- Track westwards away from the Equator and spin clockwise or anticlockwise depending on the hemisphere they’re in.
- The further they travel, the more energy they get.
- They have different names depending on their location
o Cyclones: next to Africa and Australia
o Typhoons: the sea around Japan
o Hurricanes: North America

Eye: Centre of Impacts of Tropical Storms

the storm with - High Wind Speeds over 119 km/hour.
low pressure. Severe damage to buildings and trees are
uprooted. People can lose lives due to this.
- Storm Surges: Due to low pressure, the
sea level rises, so large masses of water go
Eye Wall: Area inland (kinda like a tsunami).
surrounding the - Landslides: Intense rainfall leads to soil
eye. becoming wet and heavy (saturated). If it’s
too heavy, it will slide downward.
Hurricane Sandy, USA 2012, Developed Country Typhoon Haiyan, Philippines 2013, Developing Country
- 29 October 2012; Wind speeds of 129 km/hour - 7 November 2013; Wind speeds of 306 km/hour
- Damage was caused mainly by storm surges; NYC - Flooding caused huge damage to coastal areas and most
transport systems were flooded, and a tanker ran aground. of the damage came to the islands.

Impacts: Impacts:
- Social: 150 people were killed, millions lost electricity. - Social: 6000 dead, many homeless, loss of law and order.
- Economic: $65 billion in damages, petrol in short supply. - Economic: $2 billion damages, transport disrupted.
- Environmental: Coastal reserves damaged, sewage leaks. - Environmental: Coastal mangroves damaged, oil spill.

Responses:
- Media raised funds for victims.
- Charities such as the Red Cross provided relief.
- The government used satellite imagery and
socioeconomic data to assess the damage.
Responses:
- Government was overwhelmed with cries for help.
- Had to focus on areas such as Tacloban City.
- Took a long time to secure aid, so residents of other
afflicted areas felt abandoned.

Drought General Information

A drought is a hazard when an area suffers from abnormally low rainfall for a long period of time. Some environments
are naturally dry like these, and these can be described as arid.

Causes
Natural
Meteorological: Drought caused
by changing weather patterns
Hydrological: Water sources
(lakes, rivers) running out.
Artificial
Deforestation: Less CO2 absorbed,
climate change, less transpiration as
well
Agriculture: Water taken to irrigate
crops, leads to water shortages.

Impacts
Social Economic Environmental
Ill health and Industries unable to Wild animals and plants
diseases which support jobs. Water suffer from dehydration
leads to anxiety. companies need to and loss of habitats. Soil
People forced to spend money to secure becomes dry and
migrate. water supplies. extinction could occur.

California, USA, 2012 to present, Developed Country Ethiopia, 1982 to present, Developing Country
One of the wealthiest states, bordering the Pacific Ocean Drought happens every 10 years, affecting 120.3 million.

Causes: Period of lower rainfall & snowfall. Also, water Causes: Water mainly comes from 2 periods of rainfall. But
mainly comes from Colorado River, but other states are the rainy seasons became shorter and unpredictable due to
extracting more water from it than they need. the warming of the Indian Ocean.

Impacts:
- Social: Seawater intrusion contaminates groundwater.
- Economic: Farming industry lost $1.8 bn and 10k jobs.
- Environmental: Water is removed from rivers, which
damages ecosystems. Also, wildfires.
Responses:
- State of emergency declared in January 2014
- Monitoring rivers to check endangered species
- Warning states to limit water usage
Impacts:
- Social: People ail from malnutrition and heat exhaustion.
- Economic: Less food, prices go up & people can’t afford.
- Environmental: Plantations and wildlife die.
Responses:
- Large charity event called ‘Live Aid’ brought awareness.
- NGOs like UNICEF and Oxfam help remote areas.
- Want to help people become resistant to drought.