Natural Events and Climate SCIENCE LITERACY ARTICLE

How is climate different from weather?

• Climate is what is happening right now, weather is what usually happens over time.

• Climate never changes but weather changes all the time.

• Weather and climate are the same thing.

• Weather is what is happening right now, climate is what usually happens over time.

What is the climate impact of a volcanic eruption?

• Ash and gases cause teh atmosphere to heat up.

• Ash and gases block sunlight, decreasing temperatures.

• Volcanic eruptions force hot lava into the air making temperatures increase.

• Volcanic eruptions can not change climate.

What happens to most meteors?

• Most meteors burn up in the atmosphere.

• Most meteors impact the Earth.

• Most meteors orbit the Earth.

• Most meteors sink into the ocean.

What is the role of ocean currents in our climate system?

• Ocean currents even out temperatures on Earth, making it more habitable.

• Ocean currents are unpredictable and make hurricanes.

• Ocean currents absorb the toxic gases from volcanoes.

• Ocean currents help animals get from one place to another.

Greenhouse gases are only generated by human activities.

• TRUE

• FALSE

A weatherperson forecasting rain and 74°F for the day is describing the ​ (a)   .

• weather
• sunny day
• snowstorm
• hurricane
• greenhouse gases
• ash
• ocean currents
• volcanic eruption

Compare and contrast the climate impacts of a volcanic eruption and greenhouse gases.

Groups:

(a) Volcanic Eruptions

,

(b) Greenhouse Gases

,

(c) BOTH

• Can block sunlight, decreasing temperatures

• Caused by Earth and life processes

• Caused by plate tectonics and hotspots

• Release gases into the air

• Traps heat in the atmosphere, increasing temperatures

• Impacts climate

Digestion and respiration are life functions that make

A change in ________ __________ can impact the temperatures in a region and how much rainfall it receives.

Volcanic eruptions release ​ ​ (a)   , ​ (b)   , and/or ​ (c)   .

• ash
• gases
• lava