INTRODUCTION TO CLIMATOLOGY.
The Earth`s physical environment is divided into
three major parts.
The LITHOSPHERE which is the solid earth, the
HYDROSPHERE which is the water portion of the
earth and the EVELOPE which is the ATMOSPHERE.
The atmosphere forms the focus of meteorology
(climatology).
WEATHER : Atmosphere conditions experienced at a
specific place and time. (day-to-day; hour-to-
hour)
CLIMATE : The combination of weather conditions
of an area or long-term weather conditions
experienced at a specific area.
The importance of climate and weather
- It is important for the landscape and its
people.
- Geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology.
- Resource base for economic development.
>Agriculture, tourism and water-dependant
industry.
- Floods and Drought
Economic damage, loss of life, impact of day-to-
day activities; poor living conditions; impact on
commercial/industrial activities
THE ATMOSPHERE
~ 97% of the atmosphere is within 30km of the
earth`s surface.
~ The upper limit of the atmosphere drown at a
height of about 1000 km
_BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ATMOSPHERE_
Basic elements are those qualities or properties
measured on a regular basis.
, ~ The temperature of the air.
~ Humidity in the air.
~ The type of clouds and amount of cloudiness.
~ The type of precipitation and amount of
precipitation.
~ The pressure exerted by the air.
~ The speed and direction of the wind.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.
~ The atmosphere sustains life on earth, in the
Troposphere there is Oxygen for respiration.
~There is Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and
it also traps heat in the atmosphere which makes
life on earth possible.
~ for many different functions like
precipitation.
~In the stratosphere there is the ozone layer
which protects earth by blocking harmful UV rays
(ultraviolent rays)
~Air mass movement regulates the temperatures on
earth.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE (atmospheric
gasses)
~ 78% nitrogen (N2), which is chemically
inactive.
~ 21% Oxygen (O2) , its is very chemically
active, its reacts with other substances in the
process of oxidation and combustion.
~ 0,93% Argon (Ar), which is an inactive gas.
~ 0,033% Carbon dioxide (CO3), which is
important for the absorption of radiant heat so
that lower temperature can be warmed up.
~ The ozone, which absorbs UV rays.
~ In small quantities there is the presence of
water vapour and dust particles;- the water
vapour is essential because it is the source of
all clouds and precipitation.
The Earth`s physical environment is divided into
three major parts.
The LITHOSPHERE which is the solid earth, the
HYDROSPHERE which is the water portion of the
earth and the EVELOPE which is the ATMOSPHERE.
The atmosphere forms the focus of meteorology
(climatology).
WEATHER : Atmosphere conditions experienced at a
specific place and time. (day-to-day; hour-to-
hour)
CLIMATE : The combination of weather conditions
of an area or long-term weather conditions
experienced at a specific area.
The importance of climate and weather
- It is important for the landscape and its
people.
- Geomorphology, biogeography, hydrology.
- Resource base for economic development.
>Agriculture, tourism and water-dependant
industry.
- Floods and Drought
Economic damage, loss of life, impact of day-to-
day activities; poor living conditions; impact on
commercial/industrial activities
THE ATMOSPHERE
~ 97% of the atmosphere is within 30km of the
earth`s surface.
~ The upper limit of the atmosphere drown at a
height of about 1000 km
_BASIC ELEMENTS OF THE ATMOSPHERE_
Basic elements are those qualities or properties
measured on a regular basis.
, ~ The temperature of the air.
~ Humidity in the air.
~ The type of clouds and amount of cloudiness.
~ The type of precipitation and amount of
precipitation.
~ The pressure exerted by the air.
~ The speed and direction of the wind.
THE FUNCTIONS OF THE ATMOSPHERE.
~ The atmosphere sustains life on earth, in the
Troposphere there is Oxygen for respiration.
~There is Carbon dioxide for photosynthesis, and
it also traps heat in the atmosphere which makes
life on earth possible.
~ for many different functions like
precipitation.
~In the stratosphere there is the ozone layer
which protects earth by blocking harmful UV rays
(ultraviolent rays)
~Air mass movement regulates the temperatures on
earth.
THE COMPOSITION OF THE ATMOSPHERE (atmospheric
gasses)
~ 78% nitrogen (N2), which is chemically
inactive.
~ 21% Oxygen (O2) , its is very chemically
active, its reacts with other substances in the
process of oxidation and combustion.
~ 0,93% Argon (Ar), which is an inactive gas.
~ 0,033% Carbon dioxide (CO3), which is
important for the absorption of radiant heat so
that lower temperature can be warmed up.
~ The ozone, which absorbs UV rays.
~ In small quantities there is the presence of
water vapour and dust particles;- the water
vapour is essential because it is the source of
all clouds and precipitation.
