Chapter+3+Terms

The lost, thirsty traveler then came across a beautiful oasis
Natural Vegetation – the plant life that grows in an area where the natural environment is unchanged by human activity The forest in Alaska has a lot of natural vegetation.

Rain Shadow- hot, dry air produces little precipitation, effects often causes dry areas- and even desserts- to develop on the leeward sides of the mountain ranges In the desert there was little rain occurring causing rain shadow.

Leeward- the precipitation is released, winds become warmer and drier as they descend on the opposite side The leeward side of the mountain experienced warm and dry conditions.

Windward- the side of the mountain range facing the wind The side of the mountain experienced the most wind, causing more erosion on that side.

El Nino- a periodic change in the pattern of ocean currents, water temperatures, and weather in the mid-Pacific region The heavy rainfall and cool temperatures was due to the El Nino pattern this summer.

Currents- cold and warm streams of water that move through oceans The ocean currents became very strong near the Florida coast, so the meteorologist issued a Rip Current Advisory.

Prevailing Winds- global winds blow in fairly constant patterns The prevailing winds moved clockwise in the Northern Hemisphere.

Equinox:this is one of two days (about 21march and sept 23) on which the sun is directly above the Equator making day and night equal in length Revolution: it is in astronomy,m the Earth's yearly trip around the sun, taking 3651/4 days Rotation: it is the movement of the earth around the sun. Axis: this is an imaginary line that runs through the center of the Earth between north and south poles. Climate: These are weather patterns typical for an area over a long period of time. Weather: It is the condition of the atmosphere in one place during a short period of time Low Latitudes-Latitudes between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. The low latitudes include the tropics and the equator. Middle Latitudes- these latitudes are found between 60 degrees north and south and 30 degrees north and south. The middle latitude regions contain the most variable climate High Latitudes- latitudes that stretch from 60 degrees north to 90 degrees north and from 60 degrees south to 90 degrees south. The high latitudes include the earth’s polar regions. Global Warming-The effect of increased co2 levels in the atmosphere. Global warming heats up the earth and can cause dramatic changes in climate. Greenhouse Effect-When the earth traps in the sun’s energy. The greenhouse effect allows earth to support life. Solstice-A day that marks the beginning of winter or summer. The summer solstice is on June 21st for the northern hemisphere.