Human Impact on Climate Change 8.11B
The process in which an area of land develops into a city.
What is urbanization?
( 8.11A) On June 15th, 1991, Mt. Pinatubo erupted in the Philippines resulting in the second largest eruption of the 20th century. The ash plume height reached more than 40 Km high and the eruption released more than 10km3 of magma. Which of the following are immediate climate impacts of a large volcanic eruption?
A. Global temperatures increase as a result of the eruption.
B. Ash and Sulfur aerosols block sunlight, leading to cooling.
C. Precipitation patterns shift due to atmospheric changes.
D. Greenhouse gas concentrations rise significantly.
E. An increase in severe weather around the globe
What are answers B and C?
This ocean is where El Nino forms and affects global weather.
What is the Pacific Ocean?
This side of a mountain range receives moist air, rising clouds, and most of the precipitation.
What is the windward side?
La Niña can increase the number or strength of these storms in the Atlantic Ocean.
What are hurricanes?
Which human activities influence the climate by increasing the release of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Select TWO answers
A. Increased CO2 traps heat in the atmosphere, raising global temperatures.
B. Burning fossil fuels releases CO2, cooling the Earth by reflecting sunlight.
C. Cutting down trees reduces CO2 absorption, increasing greenhouse gas levels.
D. Tilling soil for farming adds CO2 to the atmosphere, warming the planet.
E. Removing trees allows more water to evaporate, increasing rainfall
What are answers A and C?
The country of Iceland is known for it's volcanic activity. Before 2021, Iceland averaged a volcano eruption every 5 years. Since 2021, Iceland has averaged closer to a volcanic eruption every 12 months. How does a volcanic eruption affect Earth's climate?
A. Volcanic ash and gases raise surface temperatures.
B. Gases from the eruption spread globally, increasing biodiversity.
C. Gases from the eruption reflect sunlight, cooling Earth's surface.
D. Lava from the eruption alters ocean currents.
What is answer choice C?
Warmer ocean water moves eastward during El Nino, toward this continent.
What is South America?
This type of climate often forms on the leeward side of mountains due to the rain shadow effect.
What is the desert (or arid) climate?
This region of South America may experience drier conditions during La Niña.
What is the west coast of South America.
If large areas of rainforest are cleared for agriculture, scientists predict carbon dioxide levels may rise because trees no longer remove carbon dioxide during this process.
What is photosynthesis?
Which historic event did humans start burning fossil fuels at an alarming rate?
What is the Industrial Revolution?
This region of the United States often experiences cooler and wetter winters during El Niño.
What is southern United States?
This process occurs when winds push moist air up the mountains. As the air begins to cool and clouds form.
What is condensation?
These winds push warm surface water toward the western Pacific during La Niña.
What are tradewinds?
A city has experienced rapid urban growth over the past 50 years. Scientists note the following:
Large areas of forest and grassland were replaced with concrete and asphalt.
Air pollution from vehicles and factories has increased.
Average annual temperatures in the city are higher than surrounding rural areas.
Which of the following statements BEST explains how human activities in this city are affecting climate?
A. Replacing vegetation with concrete increases local heat absorption, and burning fossil fuels releases greenhouse gases, leading to warmer temperatures.
B. Removing trees and grasslands reduces rainfall, which directly cools the atmosphere.
C. Increased pollution blocks sunlight, causing the city to be cooler than surrounding areas.
D. Urban growth increases wind speeds, which prevents clouds from forming and cools the city.
What is answer choice A?
Water transfers energy through our atmosphere in what two ways?
What is evaporation and condensation?
During the El Nino, these winds across the Pacific Ocean usually become weaker than normal.
What are trade winds?
A mountain range runs north to south near a coastline. Prevailing winds blow from the ocean toward the mountains. One side of the mountains receives heavy rainfall, while the other side remains dry.
Which statement BEST explains why the leeward side of the mountains is dry?
A. The leeward side is closer to the ocean, so it gets less rainfall.
B. Air loses moisture as it rises over the windward side, so descending air on the leeward side is dry.
C. Mountains block sunlight on the leeward side, preventing rain from forming.
D. The leeward side is at a lower elevation, so air cannot rise to form clouds.
What is answer choice B?
La Niña can lead to colder and snowier winters in this part of the United States.
What is Northern United States?
Scientists warn that increased livestock farming and landfill waste release large amounts of this greenhouse gas, which is more effective at trapping heat than carbon dioxide over short time periods.
What is methane?
The most abundant greenhouse gas in the atmosphere.
What is water vapor?
El Nino can weaken or change direction of these high altitude air currents that move weather systems.
What are jet streams?
A meteorologist studies two cities:
City A is located on the windward side of a mountain range near the coast.
City B is located on the leeward side of the same mountains, farther inland.
Data shows:
City A receives 120 cm of rain annually.
City B receives only 25 cm of rain annually.
Winds consistently blow from the ocean toward the mountains.
Which explanation BEST describes why City B is much drier than City A?
A. City B is farther from the ocean, so it receives less moisture from prevailing winds.
B. Mountains cause air to rise on the windward side, releasing moisture, and descending air on the leeward side warms and dries, creating a rain shadow.
C. City B is at a lower elevation, so clouds cannot form and produce rainfall.
D. Ocean currents near City B are colder, preventing rainfall.
What is answer choice B
La Niña is developing in the Pacific Ocean, causing stronger-than-normal trade winds and cooler-than-average sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific. A meteorologist is predicting how this pattern may affect weather in the United States.
Which prediction is MOST consistent with typical La Niña conditions?
A. The southern United States experiences cooler and wetter conditions than normal.
B. The southern United States experiences warmer and drier conditions while the Pacific Northwest becomes wetter.
C. The entire United States experiences increased hurricane activity and colder temperatures.
D. The eastern Pacific Ocean becomes warmer than average, weakening global trade winds.