GY 105 Lecture Notes - Lecture 2: Global Warming, Lapse Rate, Subduction
7 Sep 2016
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Document Summary
Plate tectonics: a geophysical theory that earth is comprised of large geologic platforms, or plates, that move slowly across its surface. Subduction zone: deep trenches where the ocean floor has been pulled downward by a regional tectonic warping. Divergent plate boundaries: tectonic plates move away from each other, in opposite directions, thereby creating either a rift zone, which is a depression, or, in other places, a ridge built of volcanic material. Continentality: inland climates with hot summers and cold, snowy winter, such as those found in interior north america and europe. Maritime climates: climates close to the ocean, with moderate temperatures in both summer and winter. Adiabatic lapse rate: the rate of cooling with increasing altitude within the lower atmosphere. Orographic effect: moisture brought out of storms by forcing moving air masses to cool as they are forced up and over mountain ranges.
