Influences of Weather and Climate Vocabulary

Front

What are ocean currents?

Back

Directional movements of ocean water that are driven by factors such as wind, water density differences, and the Earth's rotation.

Front

What is the atmosphere?

Back

The layer of gas surrounding a planet, held in place by gravity, which is essential for life on Earth.

Front

What is the Coriolis effect?

Back

The apparent deflection of moving air or water due to Earth's rotation, affecting weather patterns and ocean currents.

Front

What is regional geography?

Back

The study of specific areas of Earth, focusing on the relationships between people and their environments.

Front

What is rotation?

Back

The spinning of Earth on its axis, which causes the cycle of day and night.

Front

What are ocean tides?

Back

The regular rise and fall of sea levels caused by the gravitational forces of the moon and the sun.

Front

What are ocean waves?

Back

Surface waves that are generated by the wind blowing across the surface of the ocean.

Front

What is the stratosphere?

Back

The second layer of Earth's atmosphere, located above the troposphere, where the ozone layer is found.

Front

What is the ionosphere?

Back

A region of the upper atmosphere, from about 30 miles to 600 miles above the Earth, that is ionized by solar radiation.

Front

What is the ozone layer?

Back

A region of Earth's stratosphere that contains a high concentration of ozone (O3) and protects living organisms from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation.