Introduction to the Atmosphere Seasons determined by earths tilt (23.5 deg) If Nor. Hem. tilted to Sun summer. Highest solar radiation Solar Radiation 2 main gases: N and O N = 78 %O = 21 % 1 % left are trace gases CO 2, CH 4 Divided into layers. Fxn: to protect Earths surface from radiation & keep planet warm. In The Air. 1 st layerTROPOSPHE RE We live here Weather occurs. 0-10/15 km up Go up temp drops Temperature Inversion Normal conditions: cool air on top, warm air below. Temp Inversion: cool air on bottom, warm air on top Cold air heavy traps pollutants Case Study: London Smog 1952 Death of 12,000. Cold fog in London began burning more coal to keep warm. Air poll. trapped by a thermal inversion (cold air below, warm air on top). London Smog 1952 Urban Heat Island Metro area where temp is hotter in city vs outside city. Caused by buildings blocking cooler air Also by asphalt and cement absorbing heat during day and releasing it at night. 2 nd layer: STRATOSPHERE Above troposphere km up Go up increase in temp. Contains ozone!! Stratospheric Ozone: made up of 3 Oxygens, O 3. Main fxn: absorb UV rays produced from Sun. Acts as a shield to prevent exposure. Purple = Low O 3 Green = High O 3 Mesosphere and Thermosphere 3 rd Mesosphere: above strat., coldest layer km up. Go up temps fall. 4 th Thermosphere: km up. Go up temps rise. Pauses Found in b/t layers; temps are constant. Tropopause: b/t troposphere and stratosphere (jet stream) Create a mnemonic to remember the Earths atmosphere layers! Write it down and then share with your neighbor! Air pressure: differs in troposphere. Pressure force exerted on a unit of area of a surface. Movement of air from high to low pressure areas wind. Wind and Ocean Current Direction Controlled by Earths rotation (Coriolis Effect). Objects are deflected No. Hem: right of equator So. Hem: left of equator NASA/Goddard Space Flight Center Scientific Visualization Studio El Nio Conditions Trade winds relax; wind doesnt move water to Indonesia in West Pacific. Warm water accumulates in So. America Causes decline of upwelling which brings nutrients to surface Death/movement of orgs in ocean. 3-8 yrs during winter Chris Farley What is La Nia Then? Opposite of El Nio: Cold air oscillations Usually happen after an El Nio year; water is really cold in east Pacific and needs to be reheated. Unusually cold ocean temps in Eastern Eq. Pacific California Storms in East Pacific, Lots of Rain (Hotter Water) Migration of Tropical Orgs (Water is warmer now) California South America Massive floods, mud slides, Fisheries collapse (little upwelling lack of nutrients South Pacific Typhoons, Coral Bleaching (Sensitive to Heat) Australia EXTREME Drought in East Pacific, dust storms, fires