Weather and Climate Vocabulary

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Model

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A representation used to describe, explain, or predict the behavior of a system, in this case, the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems and how it affects climate.

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Flow of Energy

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The movement of energy into and out of Earth's systems, which includes solar radiation, geothermal energy, and heat exchange between Earth's surface and atmosphere, all influencing climate.

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Earth’s Systems

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The interconnected components of Earth, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere, geosphere, and biosphere, which interact to regulate the flow of energy and determine climate patterns.

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Climate

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The long-term patterns of temperature, humidity, wind, and precipitation in an area, influenced by the flow of energy into and out of Earth's systems.

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Volcanic Eruptions

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The release of magma, ash, and gases from a volcano, which can temporarily alter Earth's energy balance by reflecting sunlight away from the surface and cooling the climate over short timescales (1-10 years).

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Ocean Circulation

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The large-scale movement of ocean waters, driven by wind, water density differences, and Earth's rotation, which distributes heat across the planet and influences climate over various timescales.

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Human Activity

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Actions by humans, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, that increase greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, altering Earth's energy balance and contributing to climate change over decades to centuries.

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Solar Output

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The amount of energy emitted by the Sun, which can vary over time and affect the amount of energy entering Earth's systems, influencing climate on timescales of decades to centuries.

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Earth’s Orbit

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The path Earth follows around the Sun, which can change due to gravitational interactions with other celestial bodies, affecting the distribution of solar energy and climate over tens to hundreds of thousands of years.

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Axis Orientation

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The tilt and wobble of Earth's rotational axis, which change over long periods and influence the distribution of sunlight, contributing to climate variations over tens to hundreds of thousands of years.