#1
Which of the following phenomena is a result of climate variability?
El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
ExplanationENSO is a climate pattern characterized by fluctuating ocean temperatures in the equatorial Pacific.
#2
Which greenhouse gas is primarily responsible for trapping heat in the Earth's atmosphere?
Carbon dioxide (CO2)
ExplanationCO2 is the most significant greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate variability.
#3
What is the main difference between weather and climate?
Weather refers to short-term atmospheric conditions, while climate refers to long-term patterns.
ExplanationWeather describes atmospheric conditions over a short period, while climate represents long-term trends and patterns.
#4
What is the primary driver of climate variability?
Ocean-atmosphere interactions
ExplanationInteractions between the ocean and atmosphere drive climate variability by influencing temperature and precipitation patterns.
#5
Which region is particularly sensitive to climate variability due to its reliance on rainfall patterns?
Amazon Rainforest
ExplanationThe Amazon Rainforest's ecosystem heavily depends on consistent rainfall patterns, making it vulnerable to climate variability.
#6
What is the PDO (Pacific Decadal Oscillation) known for in relation to climate variability?
Influencing temperature and precipitation patterns in the Pacific region
ExplanationThe PDO is a long-term climate pattern affecting temperature and precipitation in the Pacific region over decades.
#7
How do aerosols affect climate variability?
They increase cloud cover, leading to cooling effects.
ExplanationAerosols influence climate variability by altering cloud properties, leading to changes in temperature and precipitation patterns.
#8
What is the Intertropical Convergence Zone (ITCZ) and its significance in climate variability?
A zone where trade winds converge, affecting precipitation patterns
ExplanationThe ITCZ is a belt of converging trade winds near the equator, playing a crucial role in global climate variability by influencing rainfall patterns.
#9
What is the relationship between climate variability and extreme weather events?
Climate variability can exacerbate the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events.
ExplanationClimate variability, through changes in temperature and precipitation patterns, can intensify extreme weather events such as hurricanes, droughts, and heatwaves.
#10
What role do glaciers play in climate variability?
Glaciers contribute to sea level rise when they melt.
ExplanationMelting glaciers contribute to sea level rise, impacting ocean circulation patterns and global climate variability.
#11
What is a teleconnection in the context of climate variability?
A statistical correlation between weather patterns at different locations
ExplanationTeleconnections refer to statistical associations between weather events in different regions, influencing global climate variability.
#12
Which of the following is NOT a potential impact of climate variability?
Decrease in biodiversity
ExplanationClimate variability can impact biodiversity through habitat alteration, species distribution changes, and disruptions to ecosystems.
#13
What is the term for the gradual increase in Earth's average surface temperature due to human activities?
Anthropogenic climate change
ExplanationAnthropogenic climate change refers to the long-term warming trend caused by human activities such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation.
#14
How do oceanic oscillations contribute to climate variability?
By redistributing heat around the globe through ocean currents
ExplanationOceanic oscillations, such as ENSO and PDO, redistribute heat through ocean currents, affecting global climate patterns.
#15
Which of the following is a positive feedback mechanism that amplifies climate variability?
Melting of polar ice caps
ExplanationMelting polar ice caps decrease Earth's albedo, leading to more absorption of solar radiation and further warming, amplifying climate variability.
#16
Which of the following is a consequence of climate variability on marine ecosystems?
Disruption of marine food webs
ExplanationClimate variability disrupts marine ecosystems by altering ocean temperatures, currents, and nutrient availability, impacting marine food webs.
#17
How does deforestation contribute to climate variability?
Deforestation increases atmospheric carbon dioxide levels, leading to warming effects.
ExplanationDeforestation releases stored carbon dioxide, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions and climate variability through warming effects.