GEOG 2050 Chapter : Chapter 5
Document Summary
Insolation is the single most important influence on temperature: these explain the tempature changes: Land and water differences: marine effects vs. continentak. Local impacts- microclimate: urban heat island effect (ch4) Insolation varies with solar altitude and time of yr: seasonal variations chap 2, temperature: max near equator- always warm, temperate: min near poles- always cold. Increase nighttime temp: most variable part of the system. Land is opaque: highest and lowest temp occur along the surface, little temp change occurs below this depth, warming the surface of soil and rock, ocean is transparent, photic zone. Light is transmitted: avg 60 m (200 ft0, oceanography 200 m, max 300 m (1000 ft, more depth/volume to store energy than land, water has higher specific heat, more heat store, slower temp changes. Land/water heating diff. cont: marine effect, maritime, narrow range along coastlines, moderate temp patterns cooler summers, warmer winters, smaller seasonal range, continental effect, continentally, more extreme temp.
