Fig. 1.4. OLP 3. Hurricane Ike approaching the Texas coast on September 12, 2008.
Image courtesy of National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Environmental Visualization Laboratory
Title
OLP 3: The ocean is a major influence on weather and climate
Body
The interaction of oceanic and atmospheric processes controls Earth’s weather and climate. For example, the heat transferred from the tropical ocean provides the energy that drives atmospheric circulation, including hurricanes, cyclones, and polar storms (Fig. 1.4).
OLP 3.B The ocean moderates global weather and climate by absorbing most of the solar radiation reaching the Earth. Heat exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere drives the water cycle and oceanic and atmospheric circulation.
OLP 3.B
<p>The ocean moderates global weather and climate by absorbing most of the solar radiation reaching the Earth. Heat exchange between the ocean and the atmosphere drives the water cycle and oceanic and atmospheric circulation.</p>
OLP 3.C Heat exchange between the ocean and atmosphere can result in dramatic global and regional weather phenomena, impacting patterns of rain and drought. Significant examples include the El Niño Southern Oscillation and La Niña, which cause important changes in global weather patterns because they alter the sea surface temperature patterns in the Pacific.
OLP 3.C
<p>Heat exchange between the ocean and atmosphere can result in dramatic global and regional weather phenomena, impacting patterns of rain and drought. Significant examples include the El Niño Southern Oscillation and La Niña, which cause important changes in global weather patterns because they alter the sea surface temperature patterns in the Pacific.</p>
OLP 3.F The ocean has had, and will continue to have, a significant influence on climate change by absorbing, storing, and moving heat, carbon, and water. Changes in the ocean’s circulation have produced large, abrupt changes in climate during the last 50,000 years.
OLP 3.F
<p>The ocean has had, and will continue to have, a significant influence on climate change by absorbing, storing, and moving heat, carbon, and water. Changes in the ocean’s circulation have produced large, abrupt changes in climate during the last 50,000 years.</p>
Table of Contents
Representative Image
Image
Useful Links
