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| ice sheets and glaciers remain frozen all year and cylindical samples are taken (ice cores). When ice and snow acuumulates over time air can be trapped in it from a previous period. the presence of hydrogen and oxygen isotopes in the trapped air can provide evidence on previous climates. Also in the snow can be found remains of wind blown dust, ash and radioactive substances. |
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southern most, coldest,driest and windiest continent cosidered a desert.
5th largest continent 98% covered in ice with average thickness of 1.6km.
no human habitat but 1000-5000 people per year visit for research
penguins, seals, nematods,mites and algae cold adapted plant & animals live there |
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| signed by 12 countries in 1959 and now 46 countries have signed to prohibit military activities and mineral mining and to support scientific research & protect ecozone |
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| a geological period of long term reduction in temp which causes expansion of continental and polar ice sheets and glaciers |
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| motion of tetonic plates, concentration of CO2 and methane in atmosphere, changes in earths orbit around sun all cause changes in the amount of land and ocean on the earths surface |
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powerful,warm atlantic ocean current from gulf of mexico exits through strait of florida and follows east coast of USA before crossing atlantic.
Splits in 2, one part goes north to northern europe,
the other goes south to west africa |
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| gulf stream influence on climate |
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| gulf stream slowing down due to increase in greenhouse gases which some say if this continues gulf stream may switch off which would reduce temperatures in the UK |
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| hypothesis of the 1970's due to downward trend in temperatures since 1940's but now thought that overall the earth has experienced global warming |
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| increase in temp and rising sea levels and a decrease in snow due to increases in grennhouse gases leads to decrease in diversity of ecosystems and extinction of species |
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balls of irregular lumps of ice produced by thunderclouds at the leading edge of a storm system
due to strong moving air.
most common in summer in the afternoon and evening and can last for 3-15mins |
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powerful thunderstorm rotating funnel shaped clouds, with winds upto 300m/hr
types -landsput,waterspout,multiple vortex |
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begin when increase in rain drags with it air which is moving downwards. thunderstorm is dragged to the ground where it is powered by warm air. it grows till it matures.
then cool wind weakens the vortex and it fizzles out. |
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series of tidal waves caused by a displacement of water by disturbances below water eg earthquake,volcano.
can devastate coastal regions.
Frequent in japan. |
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earthquake in the Indian ocean caused a megathrust with epicentre off west coast of sumatra. killed 230,000 in 14 countries.
15m high wave, the 2nd largest earthquake recorded which caused the planet to vibrate and triggered other earthquakes in Alaska.
Widespread humanitarian response of $7 billion |
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