Geology and Climate Science Terms and Definitions, Quizzes of Geology

Download Geology and Climate Science Terms and Definitions and more Quizzes Geology in PDF only on Docsity! TERM 1 Banded Iron Formation DEFINITION 1 Distinctive units of sedimentary rock that are almost always of Precambrian age. As Oxygen Levels in the ocean rose, the dissolved Fe+2 turned into Fe+3The Fe+3 precipitated out to form it TERM 2 Methane Hydrates DEFINITION 2 Solid form of Water that contains Methane (CH4) in its crystal structureSolid at temps up to 18C at high pressuresPotential source for Natural GasIf it melts, potential source for Natural Disaster! TERM 3 Milankovitch Theory DEFINITION 3 Explains thatglaciersadvance and retreat due to variations in solar radiationreceivedat high latitudes during summer and that these variations are due to changes in Earth's orbit, tilt, and wobble. TERM 4 Late Paleozoic Ice Age (360 - 260 Million Years Ago) DEFINITION 4 Pangea: Super continent!Flood Basalts & Mass extinctionsExtensive glacial depositsSand dunes suggest a dry & cold climate TERM 5 Late Palocene Torrid Age (65-55 Million Years Ago) DEFINITION 5 Less temperature difference between tropical and polar ocean waters*Less temperature difference between surface and deep ocean waters*Less temperature difference in atmosphereSluggish ocean circulationMore peaceful weather, warmer and wetter TERM 6 The Last Glacial Maximum DEFINITION 6 Around 20,000 years ago:Glaciers at maximum extent, covered 27% of todays landVirtually all of Canada, part of northeastern U.S.Seawater necessary to build glaciers lowered sea level 130 mCurrent glacial retreat, but its not over yet!10% continents buried under iceIf ice melts, sea level would rise 65 m TERM 7 El Nino DEFINITION 7 El Nino conditions in Pacific!Trade winds aka Easterlies are absentWarm surface water flows downhill from west to east - usual low pressure replaced by high pressureIncreased rainfall to western North and South AmericaDecreased hurricane risk to Atlantic Ocean TERM 8 El Nino 1997 - 1998 DEFINITION 8 Heavy rains and floods in CaliforniaHigher rainfall, tornadoes to southeastern U.S.Helped break apart Atlantic and Caribbean storms fewer hurricanesWarmer winter in midwestern and northern statesMore economic gains than losses, fewer fatalities in U.S. TERM 9 La Nina DEFINITION 9 Occurs when cooler waters move into equatorial PacificColder/dryer in northwestern U.S. and western CanadaHurricanes in Atlantic, wildfires in southwestern U.S. TERM 10 Pacific Decadal Oscillation DEFINITION 10 Lasts 20-30 yearsMostly affects mid-latitude Pacific Ocean conditionsWarm phase with increased storms and rainfall occurred from 1925 to 1946, from 1977 to 1998Poorly understood phenomenon TERM 21 Ice Cores DEFINITION 21 Limited to polar latitudes and mountain glaciersDarker and lighter layers are more or less dust blown in seasonallyMeasurements provide information on temperature, snowfall, atmospheric composition (gases, dust, volcanic aerosols), sunspots, The past 500,000 years. ICE CORE DATADrilled cores of ice from European arctic and the Antarctic: These tell us: *Age & Temperature (like tree rings)*Bubbles in ice give samples of trapped air!*Dust levels TERM 22 Mt. Tambora DEFINITION 22 Sumbawa, Indonesia1815 eruptionThe volcanic ash and aerosols, especially sulfur dioxide, blown into the stratosphere blocked enough sunshine to make 1816 known as the Year Without a SummerPoverty Year1800-and-froze- to-death TERM 23 Little Ice Age (1500-1850 AD) DEFINITION 23 Cooling was the result of lower solar radiation and some big volcanic eruptions TERM 24 Mitigation DEFINITION 24 we take actions that result in smaller change in future climate TERM 25 Adaptation DEFINITION 25 we take actions that result in smaller change in future climateHow are we likely to adapt in the United States?Changes in agriculture: farmers are likely to grow different crops in different places and at different times.Changes in water use: increased reservoir construction, decreased water use for agricultural irrigation, move towards desalinization of ocean water in some areas.Adaptation strategies work best when the impacts of climate change are moderate, steady, and predictable. When changes related to climate are large, rapid, or unexpected, adaptation is likely to be accompanied by substantial suffering.Modifications to coastal areas: Inhabitants of low-lying coastal areas will likely have to make changes to protect their property in the short term, and in the longer term many low-lying coastal areas may have to be abandoned.Response to summer heat waves: New building practices that create naturally cooler spaces, decreased activity during the hottest part of the day, better early warning systems to help preparation. TERM 26 Suffering DEFINITION 26 because people and ecosystems are often dependent on current climate conditions, they are liable to suffer if they cant adapt. TERM 27 Coal DEFINITION 27 Advantages: Cheap, widely availableProblems: High GHG production, pollution Percent of Global Electricity: 27%R/P Ratio: 160-200 years TERM 28 Oil DEFINITION 28 Advantages: High energy content, cheapProblems: High GHG production, security Percent of Global Electricity: 34%R/P Ratio: 40-80 years TERM 29 Natural Gas DEFINITION 29 Advantages: Cleaner than coal, oilProblems: Difficult to transportPercent of Global Electricity: 21%R/P Ratio: ~60 years TERM 30 Nuclear DEFINITION 30 Advantages: No GHG EmissionsProblems: Expensive, security issues, wastePercent of Global Electricity Production: 5.8%R/P Ratio: 80 years TERM 31 Hydropower DEFINITION 31 Advantages: No GHG EmissionsProblems: Disrupt river systems, limited sites Percent of Global Electricity Production: 2.2%Limited by availability of large, high- gradient rivers TERM 32 Wind DEFINITION 32 Advantages: No GHGs, relatively economicalProblems: More expensive than fossil fuels, can only operate when the wind is blowing Percent of Global Energy Production: <1% TERM 33 Solar DEFINITION 33 Advantages: No GHGs, useable in many areas.Problems: Expensive, does not operate at nightPercent of Global Energy Production: <1%Solar PhotovoltaicConcentrated Solar Power