Climate is understood as a long-term regime of weather conditions or the average state of the atmosphere, characteristic of a certain area. Its manifestation consists in a regular change in air temperature, wind strength, precipitation, etc.
History of the term
The word "climate" in Greek means "slope". In scientific circulation, this concept has existed for more than two thousand years. It was first mentioned in the writings of the ancient Greek astronomer Hipparchus. With this word, the scientist sought to show that the inclination of the Earth's surface to the rays of the Sun is the determining factor in the formation of weather conditions in any area from the equator to the poles.
Climate impact
Depending on certain weather conditions, there is a state of animate and inanimate nature. The climate affects water bodies and soil, flora and fauna. The conditions of life of human society and its economic activity depend on the state of the atmosphere of a particular area. Take, for example, agriculture. The yield of cultivated crops directly depends on the air temperature, the amountprecipitation and many other weather factors.
The Earth's climate affects the life of the oceans and seas, swamps and lakes. In addition, he is directly involved in the process of relief formation. In other words, all the processes occurring in the life of the surface of our planet depend on the climate. And their intensity, in turn, is determined by the energy of the heavenly body.
Influence of the Sun on climate formation
The source of heat that enters our planet is the heavenly body. In turn, the types of Earth's climate depend on the total solar radiation that enters a particular area. The amount of heat entering our planet decreases in the direction from the equator to the poles. This is due to a change in the angle of incidence of the rays, in other words, depends on the latitude of the area.
The state in which the atmosphere is, and the climates of the Earth are closely related. In each of the belts, the Sun warms the air in different ways. So, at the equator, the highest average temperature reaches twenty-seven degrees. The coldest place on Earth is the South Pole. Here, the average temperature of the coldest month of the year is forty-eight degrees below zero. What can be said about the entire globe? Scientists have calculated that during the year the average air temperature near the surface of our planet is at around fourteen degrees Celsius.
Atmospheric pressure
This phenomenon is one of the main factorsshaping the Earth's climate. So, in the immediate vicinity of the equator, the pressure of air masses is reduced. This condition experienced by the atmosphere contributes to the creation of intense updrafts. They form cumulonimbus clouds from which showers fall. This phenomenon repeats daily and occurs at a time when the Sun is at its zenith.
The fact that the state in which the atmosphere is located and the Earth's climates are inextricably linked is also evidenced by the weather in subtropical latitudes. Here, between the 30th and 35th parallel, the air masses have high pressure. In this case, the formation of subtropical anticyclones occurs. Their movement is carried out in the latitudinal direction. The general circulation of the atmosphere in this zone is a whole system of air currents. So, trade winds (steady winds) blow from subtropical anticyclones towards the equator. Tropical cyclones and monsoons are also observed here. The first of these two phenomena is characterized by very low pressure, as well as hurricane and storm winds. Tropical monsoons dominate the southeastern margin of Eurasia, as well as the associated areas of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. In mid-latitudes, westerly winds influence the Earth's climate.
Types of air masses
Characteristics of the climate of a particular zone largely depends on the place where the formation of the layers of the atmosphere above it took place. Thus, air masses can be formed either at a certain latitude, or above the surface of the oceans or continents. That is why the layers of the atmosphereclassified.
Air masses can be of the following types:
- Antarctic (Arctic);
- polar (temperate latitudes);
- tropical;
- equatorial.
In this case, all these types of air masses can be both marine and continental.
Climate and terrain
The relief of the territory has a significant influence on the weather conditions in a particular region. Large forms located on the surface of the Earth are a kind of mechanical obstacle. It protects the territory from the winds, as well as from other air masses. Such mechanical obstacles that affect the Earth's climate are mountains. Even in the case when air currents pass through them, there is a loss of most of the moisture reserves. This greatly changes the nature of the winds. That is why mountains, as a rule, serve as the boundary beyond which the types of Earth's climate change.
Special weather conditions are also created inside the stone ridges. In this zone, there is not even one, but many different climates. The Caucasus is a prime example of this. Here, different climatic conditions are observed in the region of the southern and northern slopes, the Armenian highlands, the Kuro-Araks and Rion lowlands, etc. In addition, no matter what mountain conditions we consider, the climate characteristic will have vertical zonality. This is especially pronounced in the soil and vegetation layer, which is represented in a wide range from forests to tundra andfurther to eternal ice and snow.
Climatic zones
The sun's rays, falling on our planet, unevenly distribute the energy of the heavenly body. And the main reason for this is the spherical shape that the Earth has. In this regard, scientists distinguish five climatic zones or zones. Among them, one is hot, two are moderate, and two are cold.
In addition to the uneven distribution of solar energy, the Earth's climate is determined mainly by atmospheric circulation. For example, for a zone that adjoins directly to the equator, the dominance of ascending air currents is characteristic. In this regard, here is the climatic zone, the richest in rainfall. There are also territories on our planet where the trade winds exert their influence. They are created by descending air currents. These are zones whose territories are poor in precipitation.
All this suggests that the hot climate zone in each of the earth's hemispheres can be additionally divided into two more belts. One of them, rich in rains, is called the equatorial. The second, where there is little rainfall, is called tropical.
A similar characteristic of the Earth's climate exists in the temperate zone. There are also two belts. One of them is subtropical, where it is warm, but there is little rainfall. The second zone is moderate. It is characterized by heavy rains and cooler temperatures.
The cold zone is also heterogeneous. So, studying the climatic conditions of the Arctic, scientists decided on the need to distinguish two belts here. One of them -arctic, and the second - subarctic. The first one is the coldest. The air temperature in the subarctic zone is usually well below zero, even during the warmest months of the year. No wonder this territory is considered the kingdom of eternal ice and snow. The subarctic belt is slightly warmer. This is the tundra zone, where temperatures can rise to 10 degrees during the summer months.
So, there are not five, but eleven belts on the Earth. This is:
- 1 equatorial;
- 2 tropical;
- 2 subtropical;
- 2 moderate;
- 2 Subarctic;
- 2 arctic.
There are no clear and defined boundaries between these zones. This is influenced by the annual movement of our planet, which results in different seasons. How to study all the climates of the Earth in the most efficient way? A table that can be drawn up for clarity should contain such characteristics of each of the zones as the average annual temperature, the amount of precipitation, the type of atmospheric circulation and geographical location.
Climatic zones in Russia
Regions of our country occupy huge areas. That is why the climatic zones of Russia are very diverse. The map with their image is quite convincing proof of this. Here you can see territories with this type of climate, such as:
- arctic;
- subarctic;
- moderate;
- subtropical.
Are there othersclimatic zones of Russia? The map shows that there are no equatorial and tropical zones on the territory of our country.
Climate change
Recently, humanity has faced a new problem. It is connected with the fact that global climate change is taking place on our planet. The fact of those changes that are observed in weather conditions has been confirmed by scientists on the basis of studies.
But, nevertheless, the topic "Global climate change" is still being raised during numerous discussions. Some scientists believe that a real thermal apocalypse awaits our planet, while others predict the arrival of another ice age. There is also an opinion that the Earth's climate change is in a natural framework. At the same time, forecasts of the catastrophic consequences of such a phenomenon for our planet are highly controversial.
Evidence of climate change
The fact that the air masses are currently warming up to a higher temperature is obvious without any instruments and measurements. Today, winters have become milder, and the summer months are hot and dry. All this suggests that the climate is warming. In addition, humanity faces devastating hurricanes and typhoons, as well as drought in Australia and floods in Europe. All this is the result of the melting of glaciers and rising water levels in the oceans.
However, Earth's climate change is not always associated with warming. Thus, in the Antarctic zone, there is a decreaseaverage annual air temperature.
Causes of climate change
As mentioned above, the main factor that has a direct impact on the weather conditions of our planet is the Sun. The activity of the celestial body causes magnetic storms and climate warming associated with a large warming of the air masses.
There are other reasons for the observed changes in weather patterns, which, like exposure to sunlight, are factors of natural origin. Certain changes in the orbit of our planet, the earth's magnetic field, and the size of oceans and continents have an impact on climate warming. Volcanic eruptions also contribute to a decrease in the average annual temperature of air masses.
Relatively recently, anthropogenic has been added to the natural factors of climate change. This is an impact caused by human activity. The anthropogenic factor amplifies the greenhouse effect, which affects climate change eight times more than changes that occur as a result of solar activity.
Possible consequences of climate warming
The increase in the average annual temperature of the air masses will cause changes in the lives of some representatives of the animal world. Examples of this are seals, polar bears and penguins. They will have to change their habitat after the disappearance of the polar ice. However, not only these representatives of the fauna will be affected by the warmer climate of the Earth. The problems of climate change will affect many other animals as well. They may justto disappear without having time to adapt to the new environment. The same fate awaits the plant world. According to scientists, global warming, which happened 250 million years ago, caused the disappearance of more than seventy-five percent of all living organisms.
Climate change on a global scale will cause a shift in the boundaries of natural zones to the north. It will also cause hurricanes and floods, rising ocean temperatures and levels, and reduced summer rainfall.
Global warming will also affect humans. Thus, there are suggestions about the emergence of problems with drinking water and agriculture, as well as an increase in the number of infectious diseases. The worst hit is in store for the poorest countries, the ones least prepared to take action to address the effects of warming. All the results of the work of previous generations will also be at risk. About six hundred million people may be on the verge of starvation.
Climate warming will cause the melting of glaciers, which will lead to a rise in the level of the world's oceans and the flooding of small islands. In coastal areas, frequent floods are possible. This will lead to the disappearance of Denmark, the Netherlands and part of Germany. Further, after global warming, a period of global cooling may come.
Of course, all this is just a scenario predicted by scientists. However, humanity should think about its future and reduce the negative impact on our planet. Danger is better overestimated thanneglect.
