Deck 17: Earths Changing Climate

Question 1

In the tropical wet-and-dry climate (Aw), the dry season occurs during the summer (high sun period).

Answer 1

False

Question 2

The sinking air of the subtropical highs produces a "dry belt" around the globe.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

​The Köppen system implies that there is a gradual transition between climatic zones, when in reality there is a sharp boundary.

Answer 3

False

Question 4

​When we examine the climate of a small area of Earth's surface, we are looking at the ____, which includes the conditions across regions such as towns.

A) ​macroclimate
B) ​mesoclimate
C) ​microclimate
D) ​local climate
E) ​global climate

Question 5

Landmasses heat up and cool off more quickly than do large bodies of water.

Question 6

​Within the tropical wet climate (Af), seasonal temperature variations are small (normally less than 3°C).

Question 7

​The factors that produce the climate in any given region are referred to as the ____.

A) ​weather indicators
B) ​weather patterns
C) ​climatic controls
D) ​climatic extremes
E) ​global climate

Question 8

​Precipitation is most abundant where the air rises; least abundant where it sinks.

Question 9

​The Köppen classification system, initially published in 1918, employs five major climatic types based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation.

Question 10

​What is indicated by the fact that isotherms are oriented east-west on global temperature maps?

A) ​Locations at the same longitude in both the eastern and western hemispheres receive nearly the same amount of solar energy.
B) ​Locations at the same latitude in both the eastern and western hemispheres receive nearly the same amount of solar energy.
C) ​Locations at the same latitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres receive nearly the same amount of solar energy.
D) ​Locations at the same latitude in both the eastern and western hemispheres receive nearly the same amount of precipitation.
E) ​Locations at the same longitude in both the northern and southern hemispheres receive nearly the same amount of precipitation.

Question 11

Moving equatorward of marine climates, the influence of the subtropical highs decreases, and the summer wet period is more pronounced.

Question 12

​Across the world, locations at the same longitude receive nearly the same amount of solar energy.

Question 13

​According to Köppen, the dry regions of the world occupy more land area (about 26 percent) than any other major climatic type.

Question 14

​How do isotherms on global temperature maps reflect the unequal heating and cooling properties of land and water, and ocean currents and upwellings?

A) ​isotherms are oriented east-west
B) ​isotherms are not present along coastlines
C) ​isotherms bend at the poles
D) ​isotherms bend along coastal margins
E) ​isotherms remain flat along coastal margins

Question 15

​Climatic controls are exclusively factors unrelated to human alteration of the environment.

Question 16

​In tropical regions, the trade winds converge along the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ), producing sinking air masses.

Question 17

____ typically refers to the climate very near the ground in a small zone where the surface properties are consistent, such as a city park.​

A) ​Microclimate
B) ​Mesoclimate
C) ​Macroclimate
D) ​Local climate
E) ​Global climate

Question 18

​Cities on the Great Plains of North America typically receive more rainfall in summer.

Question 19

​In autumn, the leaves of deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of red, orange, and yellow in the humid continental climate.

Question 20

​The average temperature of the Antarctic is higher than that of the Arctic.

Question 21

​The climatologist, Glen Trewartha, modified the Köppen system by putting more emphasis on the ____.

A) ​​precipitation and evaporation
B) ​lengths of growing seasons and average summer temperatures
C) ​annual and monthly temperature averages
D) ​annual and monthly precipitation averages
E) ​vegetation and monthly temperature and precipitation values

Question 22

​The lowest average temperatures in the world occur in ____.

A) ​North America
B) ​Northwestern Europe
C) ​the Arctic
D) ​the Antarctic
E) ​Northern Siberia

Question 23

​Precipitation is most abundant ____.

A) ​where the air rises
B) ​where the air sinks
C) ​where the air is cool
D) ​near subtropical highs
E) ​at the poles

Question 24

​Variations in temperature between summer and winter are greater over continental interiors than along the west coastal margins of continents because landmasses ____.

A) ​are more influenced by their eastern coasts than their western coasts
B) ​have a more stable climate than coastal regions
C) ​receive less rainfall in their interiors than on their coasts
D) ​do not cool off as quickly as large bodies of water
E) ​heat up and cool off more quickly than large bodies of water

Question 25

​In Thornthwaite's P/E index, the "P" and "E" stand for ____.

A) ​precipitation and evaporation
B) ​precipitation and energy availability
C) ​potential sunlight and energy
D) ​potential sunlight and evaporation
E) ​photosynthesis and evaporation

Question 26

​The leeward side of mountains tends to be ____.

A) ​upwind
B) ​dry
C) ​moist
D) ​warm
E) ​cool

Question 27

​Which of the following results from the South Pole remaining snow- and ice-covered all year long, while the North Pole is surrounded by ocean?

A) ​The Southern Hemisphere is colder than the Northern Hemisphere.
B) ​The Northern Hemisphere is colder than the Southern Hemisphere.
C) ​The Southern Hemisphere receives more precipitation than the Northern Hemisphere.
D) ​The Northern Hemisphere receives more precipitation than the Southern Hemisphere.
E) ​The equatorial region is the warmest region of the world.

Question 28

​Which section of the United States is most likely to experience a persistent subsidence inversion during the summer?

A) ​Pacific Coastal regions
B) ​Central Plains
C) ​Southern Florida
D) ​Atlantic Coastal regions
E) ​Midwest

Question 29

​How are mountainous regions, where rapid changes in elevation bring about sharp changes, designated in the Köppen classification system?

A) ​E, for extreme
B) ​A, for alpine
C) ​M, for mountainous
D) ​H, for highland climates
E) ​T, for topographic climates

Question 30

​The hottest individual temperature readings on Earth are observed in the ____.

A) ​subtropical deserts of the Northern Hemisphere
B) ​subtropical deserts of the Southern Hemisphere
C) ​tropics
D) ​coastal regions of South America
E) ​interior of Siberia

Question 31

In tropical regions, the trade winds converge along the ____, producing rising air, towering clouds, and heavy precipitation all year long.

A) equator
B) eastern coastal margins
C) Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)
D) western coastal margins
E) subtropical highs

Question 32

​Köppen's scheme employs ____ major climatic types, with each type designated by a capital letter.

A) ​three
B) ​four
C) ​five
D) ​six
E) ​seven

Question 33

​A rain shadow effect is normally found ____.

A) ​in the center of a large surface anticyclone
B) ​on the back (western) side of a large thunderstorm
C) ​in the polar regions where the air is cold and dry
D) ​in the center of the ITCZ
E) ​on the downwind side of a mountain range

Question 34

​The rainiest places in the world are usually located ____.

A) ​downwind from mountain ranges
B) ​in the region of the subtropical highs
C) ​on the windward side of mountains
D) ​in the middle of continents
E) ​along the western side of continents

Question 35

​By considering temperature and worldwide sunshine distribution, the ancient Greeks categorized the world into ____ climatic regions.

A) ​3
B) ​4
C) ​5
D) ​6
E) ​7

Question 36

​Due to changes in the intensity and amount of ____, polar climates are found at high latitudes and tropical climates at low latitudes.

A) ​temperatures
B) ​precipitation
C) ​photosynthesis
D) ​solar energy
E) ​evaporation

Question 37

​The Köppen scheme for classifying climates employs annual and monthly averages of ____.

A) ​temperature and precipitation
B) ​precipitation and stream runoff
C) ​ocean levels and surface pressure
D) ​population density and agricultural output
E) ​sunshine and soil type

Question 38

​According to the ancient Greeks, a torrid zone is another name for a ____.

A) ​high-latitude polar zone
B) ​low-latitude tropical zone
C) ​mid-latitude temperate zone
D) ​frigid zone
E) ​subtropical dry zone

Question 39

​According to the ancient Greeks, a middle-latitude ____ zone has a distinct summer and winter, so it exhibits characteristics of both extremes.

A) torrid​
B) ​temperate
C) ​polar
D) ​tropical
E) ​frigid

Question 40

​Mountain ranges disrupt the idealized pattern of global precipitation by promoting convection and by forcing ____.

A) ​evaporation
B) ​conduction
C) ​orographic uplift
D) ​air to rise along their leeward slopes
E) ​air to rise along their eastern slopes

Question 41

​Savanna grass would most likely be associated with which climate type?

A) ​tropical rainforest (Af)
B) ​tropical monsoon (Am)
C) ​tropical wet-and-dry (Aw)
D) ​semi-arid (BS)
E) ​dry-summer subtropical (Cs)

Question 42

​A region with a low annual rainfall total is more likely to be classified as dry if the majority of precipitation is concentrated during the ____ months, when evaporation rates are greater.

A) ​warm autumn
B) ​cool spring
C) ​cold winter
D) ​mild spring
E) ​warm summer

Question 43

​In which tropical climate does the high humidity and cloud cover prevent the maximum temperatures from reaching extremely high values?

A) ​tropical monsoon (Am)
B) ​dry-summer subtropical (Cs)
C) ​tropical wet and dry (Aw)
D) ​humid subtropical (Cfa)
E) ​tropical wet (Af)

Question 44

​Hot, muggy summers are a trademark of the ____ climate.

A) ​humid continental with hot summers (Dfa)
B) ​semi-arid (BS)
C) ​humid subtropical (Cfa)
D) ​marine (Cfb)
E) ​dry-summer subtropical (Cs)

Question 45

​The tropical wet-and-dry climate is influenced mainly by the ____.

A) ​polar front and the subtropical highs
B) ​polar front and the ITCZ
C) ​subtropical highs and polar front
D) ​ITCZ and subtropical highs
E) ​subtropical highs and polar lows

Question 46

​The term monsoon refers to

A) ​the short summer rainy season observed in some locations
B) ​a short dry season
C) ​a period of heavy rainfall produced by thunderstorms
D) ​a seasonal reversal of winds
E) ​a massive storm that starts in the ocean and sometimes hits land

Question 47

​The D climates are controlled by ____.

A) ​small islands
B) ​large landmasses
C) ​ocean currents
D) ​large bodies of water
E) ​the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ)

Question 48

​In which of Köppen's climatic types are the average temperatures of the coldest month below 18°C (64°F) and above -3°C (27°F)?

A) ​tropical moist climates
B) ​dry climates
C) ​moist mid-latitude climates with mild winters
D) ​moist mid-latitude climates with severe winters
E) ​polar climates

Question 49

​Using the P/E index, the Thornthwaite system defines ____ major humidity provinces and their characteristic vegetation.

A) ​three
B) ​four
C) ​five
D) ​six
E) ​seven

Question 50

​In a dry climate, ____.

A) ​there are no plants
B) ​potential evaporation and transpiration exceed precipitation
C) ​there is no precipitation
D) ​precipitation exceeds potential evaporation and transpiration
E) ​winters are short, but cold

Question 51

During much of the year, ____ climates are characterized by low clouds, fog, and drizzle.​

A) ​marine
B) ​tropical wet
C) ​tropical wet-and-dry
D) ​Mediterranean
E) ​highland

Question 52

​Humid subtropical climates (Cfa) are found principally ____, roughly between 25° and 40° latitude.

A) ​on small islands
B) ​next to mountain ranges
C) ​in the interior of continents
D) ​along the east coasts of continents
E) ​along the west coasts of continents

Question 53

​In 1955, Thornthwaite revised his classification system, to emphasize ____.

A) ​evaporation
B) ​potential energy
C) ​potential evapotranspiration
D) ​photosynthesis
E) ​precipitation

Question 54

​The region called ____ has a semi-arid climate and typically has short bunch grass, scattered low bushes, sparse trees, or sagebrush.

A) ​steppe
B) ​savannah
C) ​chaparral
D) ​tundra
E) ​taiga

Question 55

​Which climate type extends northward and southward from the equator to about latitude 15° to 25°?

A) ​tropical moist climates (A climates)
B) ​dry climates (B climates)
C) ​moist mid-latitude climates with mild winters (C climates)
D) ​moist mid-latitude climates with severe winters (D climates)
E) ​polar climates (E climates)

Question 56

​The soil beneath the rainforest's canopy is not excellent for agriculture because as heavy rain falls on the soil, the water works its way downward, removing nutrients in a process called ____.

A) ​decomposition
B) ​leaching
C) ​denitrification
D) ​saturation
E) evapotranspiration

Question 57

​The Mediterranean climate is also called the ____.

A) ​humid subtropical (Cfa)
B) ​marine (Cfb)
C) ​humid continental with hot summers (Dfa)
D) ​dry-summer subtropical (Cs)
E) ​semi-arid (BS)

Question 58

​Köppen classified tropical wet regions where the monthly precipitation totals drop below 6 cm for perhaps one or two months as ____.

A) ​subtropical climates
B) ​tropical dry climates
C) ​tropical monsoon climates
D) ​tropical wet climates
E) ​tropical wet-and-dry climates

Question 59

​The primary reason for the extreme summer aridity of the Mediterranean climate in California is ____.

A) ​that storms do not form in summer
B) ​that the air is too cool to produce adequate precipitation
C) ​the sinking air of the subtropical highs
D) ​the ITCZ moves north in summer
E) ​the Bermuda high intensifies and shifts northward in summer

Question 60

​In the forest, little sunlight is able to penetrate to the ground through the thick crown cover. As a result, ____.

A) ​evapotranspiration does not occur near the forest floor
B) ​most plant growth is found near the forest floor
C) ​little plant growth is found near the forest floor
D) ​evaporation from soil does not occur near the forest floor
E) ​moisture cannot reach the plants on the forest floor

Question 61

The annual ____________________ that each latitude receives decreases from low to high latitude.​

Question 62

A region on the leeward side of a mountain where precipitation is noticeably less is called a ____________________.

Question 63

​Thornthwaite developed a P/E ratio, which is essentially monthly precipitation divided by monthly ____________________.

Question 64

​When the average temperature of the warmest month of a region averages above freezing, but below 10 $\degree$ C (50 $\degree$ F), you might expect to observe what type of vegetation there?

A) ​savanna
B) ​tundra
C) ​taiga
D) ​steppe
E) ​none - it's too cold for anything to grow

Question 65

When calculated across an entire year, the highest mean temperatures on Earth occur in the ____________________.

Question 66

​Regions that show a great deal of variation in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation over a relatively short vertical change in elevation would, according to Köppen, be classified as ____.

A) ​polar tundra
B) ​subpolar
C) ​polar ice cap
D) ​torrid
E) ​highland

Question 67

​At low elevations near the equator, high temperatures and abundant yearly rainfall combine to produce a dense, broadleaf, evergreen forest called a ____________________.

Question 68

​The relatively dry air and the Antarctic's high elevation permit rapid ____________________ during the dark winter months, producing extremely cold surface air.

Question 69

​When rainforests are cleared for agricultural purposes, or for the timber, what is left is a thick red soil called ____________________.

Question 70

The climate of a large state or a small nation is called the ____________________.

Question 71

The southern desert region of North America is dry because it is dominated by the ____________________ most of the year.

Question 72

​A region with long, very cold winters, with only one to three months having a mean temperature exceeding 10 $\degree$ C (50 $\degree$ F) would have a ____ climate.

A) ​subpolar (Dfc)
B) ​polar tundra (ET)
C) ​polar ice cap (EF)
D) ​humid continental with hot summers (Dfa)
E) ​humid continental with cool summers (Dfb)

Question 73

Classifying a climate as dry depends not only on precipitation totals but also on ____________________, which greatly influences evaporation.

Question 74

​When the average temperature for every month drops below freezing, plant growth is impossible, and the region is perpetually covered with snow and ice, the climate is classified as ____.

A) ​subpolar
B) ​polar ice cap
C) ​polar tundra
D) ​polar taiga
E) ​arctic

Question 75

​Which climate type normally has the largest annual range in temperature?

A) ​tropical climates
B) ​humid-subtropical climates
C) ​polar ice cap climates
D) ​subpolar climates
E) ​dry climates

Question 76

​In tropical wet climates, high humidity and ____________________ tend to keep maximum temperatures from reaching extremely high values.

Question 77

​Because a much greater extreme in daily air temperatures exists near the ground than several feet above, the ____________________ for small plants is far more harsh than the thermometer in an instrument shelter would indicate.

Question 78

​Plants capable of surviving prolonged periods of drought are called ____________________.

Question 79

Across much of the United States, intense winter storms develop and travel ____________________, frequently dumping heavy precipitation as they go.

Question 80

​A widely used classification of world climates based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation is called the ____________________ classification system.