Chapter 16 (Earth’s Climate System) and 17 (Global Change ...



Chapter 16 (Earth’s Climate System) and 17 (Global Change) combined assignment

Geology 110, Earth and Space Science

Chapter 16:

Checkpoint 16.1, p. 455

#1: The following map shows the locations of 4 climate extremes. Match each extreme climate with its locations. Each location is used only once.

Highest temperature (136 F) is . . . .

Highest average annual precipitation (1331 cm; 524 inches) is . . . .

Second lowest temperature (-90ºF) is . . . .

Lowest average annual precipitation (0.08 cm) is . . . .

[pic]

Checkpoint 16.2, p. 458

#2: Florida lies at the same latitude as the Sahara desert. Why do you think Florida is not a hot, dry desert?

Checkpoint 16.3, p. 460

#3: Describe how the distribution of maximum precipitation rates and maximum temperatures would vary on a map of the world over the course of a year.

Checkpoint 16.9, p. 467

#4: While hiking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, Josh comes across a high valley filled with several meters of snow and ice. What would he look for to determine if it is just a big pile of snow and ice or a glacier?

Checkpoint 16.10, p. 469 (required all classes; message for online classes-for notebook)

#5: Examine the two pictures of glaciers provided here.

a) In photo A, label as many features as you can.

b) In photo B, what do you infer is the origin of the dark stripes?

[pic]

Checkpoint 16.12, p. 470

#6: In the introduction section we discussed the fact that glaciers in Alaska are shrinking. Discuss how you would plan a study of glaciers from other places to determine if this was a local, short-term phenomenon or part of a larger, long-term global trend. Include a description of how you would measure changes in the size of a glacier.

#7: (message for online class: please write “wind”, “glacial” or “both” next to the 12 characteristics identified below)

Complete the Venn diagram provided here by placing the 6 listed terms in the appropriate locations on the diagram. Add an additional 6 characteristics.

1. Transport sediment in direction of movement

2. Can transport large boulders

3. Form dunes

4. Occur most frequently at high latitudes

5. Few associated plants and animals

6. Occur on at least five continents

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

Checkpoint 16.17, p. 477 (Extra Credit)

#8:

[pic]

Compare the tree ring record of precipitation in New Mexico graphed here with the same interval of the record from Wyoming illustrated in Figure 16.28. How do the records compare, and what does this imply about drought conditions in the West over this time period?

Checkpoint 16.18, p. 480

#9: The following graph illustrates the relative length of time that each proxy climate indicator can be applied. Match the 7 proxies below with the bars on the diagram (place the letter next to the proxy).

tree rings microfossils pollen ice cores

instrumental records archeological data varves

[pic]

Checkpoint 16.19, p. 481 (Extra Credit; online classes for notebook)

#10: Imagine that a 12-year record of ice layers, varves, and tree rings that corresponded with the rapid warming representing the transition from the Younger Dryas to the Holocene. Draw 3 diagrams, one for each proxy record, showing the changes in each proxy during the transition. Describe at least 2 additional proxies that might be associated with these records that would also signal a dramatic warming trend.

Checkpoint 16.20, p. 482

#11: You are selected to serve on a Presidential panel to review the consequence for the United States of an abrupt climate change that would either raise or lower global temperatures by 5 to 10 oC in a decade. Your job is to work with the other panel members to plan how to adjust to the impact of such an event if it were to begin to happen in 100 years. What 3 important recommendations would you make for each scenario?

Checkpoint 16.21, p. 484

#12: What combination of changes in the Milankovitch cycle would cause the highest and lowest summer temperatures in North America?

Checkpoint 16.23, p. 484

#13: Concisely describe 5 factors that could cause the temperature of a region at Earth’s surface to decrease.

Checkpoint 16.24, p. 484 (Extra Credit)

#14: From information in the chapter, discuss what you think would be some potential climate scenarios for North America over the next 1,000 years. Include estimates of temperatures.

Chapter 17:

Checkpoint 17.1, p. 490

#15: Which of the following statements is the best analogy?

a) An umbrella is to rain as the stratosphere is to solar radiation.

b) An umbrella is to rain as the stratosphere is to ultraviolet radiation.

c) An umbrella is to rain as the stratospheric ozone is to solar radiation.

d) An umbrella is to rain as the stratospheric ozone is to ultraviolet radiation.

Checkpoint 17.3, p. 492 (required all classes; message for online class-for notebook)

#16: The following graph represents the variation of ozone thickness over 4 cities: Darwin, Australia, 12º S; Melbourne, Australia, 37º S; San Francisco, U.S.A., 37º N; London, U.K., 55º N). Explain which city goes with each of the 4 plots. Then sketch an estimated plot for the city where you live.

[pic]

Checkpoint 17.8, p. 494

#17: Given the natural variations in climate that we discussed in the Chapter 16, some people argue that governments acted too hastily to ban the use of CFCs just 7 years after the ozone hole had been identified. Summarize 3 arguments for and 3 arguments against the ban on CFCs.

Checkpoint 17.9, p. 496

#18: What is the difference between the greenhouse effect and global warming?

#19: Carbon is stored in carbon reservoirs, or sinks, just as water is stored in a reservoir behind a dam. The carbon is released from these reservoirs and ultimately ends up in another reservoir. Complete the following table to identify how carbon is stored and released from each component of the Earth system.

|Sink/Source |Carbon is stored when... |Carbon is released when... |

|Atmosphere | | |

|Biosphere | | |

|Hydrosphere | | |

|Geosphere | | |

Checkpoint 17.15, p. 504 (required all classes; message for online class-for notebook)

#20: Add labels and arrows to the following diagram to illustrate forcings and feedback mechanisms for Earth’s climate system. Add elements to the figure as needed.

Checkpoint 17.17, p. 506

#21: Identify 3 things a private citizen could do to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced on his or her behalf.

Checkpoint 17.23, p. 510

#22: Explain how the comment “Earth can take care of itself” in the context of global warming relates to the concept of “deep time” discussed in Chapter 8, “geologic time.”

Checkpoint 17.24, p. 510

#23: What are some of the potential actions that could be taken to diminish the impact of global warming? Different groups of people have different perspectives on this issue. For some, solutions that would avert global warming may not be in their best interest.

1. List actions each of the following interest groups could take to reduce global warming.

i. A major oil company

ii. A utility that burns coal to generate electricity

iii. A large car manufacturing company

iv. A company that manufactures wind turbines and solar energy panels

v. An international insurance company

vi. The Maldives, a small island nation with an average elevation of ~1 meter

vii. A heavily populated developing nation (e.g., China, India)

viii. A heavily populated developed nation with a high standard of living (e.g., United States)

ix. A family of four in the United States with two vehicles.

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Wind Action

Glacial Processes

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