ERS103H5 Study Guide - Final Guide: Moment Magnitude Scale, Sea Surface Temperature, Mercalli Intensity Scale
Document Summary
Deiniions: climate: the average weather or the staisical descripion in terms of the mean and variability of relevant quaniies over a period of ime ranging from months to millions of years. The classical period for averaging these variables is 30 years. Three condiions are necessary to form a glacier: a cold climate (polar laitudes or high-elevaion), snow must accumulate; more snow must fall than melts, snow must not be removed by avalanches or wind. Geological evidence for glacial events: certain sedimentary rocks are deposited in climate-sensiive seings. Glacial ill indicates a cold, coninental seing. Striaions are parallel scratches on rock surfaces caused by the passage of glaciers dragging rocks: paleontological evidence for glacial events. Plants are sessile, and their leaves have a high surface-to-volume raio. These characterisics help explain why plants are sensiive indicators of climate. A correlaion exists between mean annual temperature and the percentage of smooth leaves with no teeth.
