25. Analyze factors related to Alameda’s location (East Bay) to briefly explain

Question

25. Analyze factors related to Alameda’s location (East Bay) to briefly explain the climate pattern found here. Include in your answer oceanic and atmospheric circulation. Please note: An explanation is “the act of making something clear or easy to understand” (Merriam-Webster Dictionary).

26. Explain why are there no active volcanoes in the Bay Area.

27. Analyze and discuss the causes and effects of one of the following major contemporary environmental changes to analyze and discuss the causes and effects. Choose one to discuss.

a. Ozone depletion in the stratosphere

b. Human-induced climate change (global warming)

c. Worldwide biodiversity depletion

Explanation / Answer

Q25) Alameda is located along the western coast of US (37°45 N, 122°16 W) in the state of California. Mediterranean type of climate or Csb under Koppen-Geiger classification is found in this region. The summer season is dominated by subtropical high pressure cells. This is because the tropospheric air-flows of Hadley cell from the South and Ferrel cell from the North, meet in this region and force themselves downwards towards the land. The sinking air in this region results in adiabatic compression which heats up the descending masses of air. Therefore no condensation takes place, hence the skies are clear and precipitation is almost absent. During winter, the polar jet brings periodic storms to this region which results into precipitation in the form of rain.

The cold California current flows from North to south along the coast of Alameda. The process of evaporation is retarded in waters where Cold currents are flowing when compared to waters where warm currents flow. Therefore humidity values are also low along the coasts where cold currents flow. With low humidity values, precipitation is generally less.

Q 26) Bay area region is associated with transform fault margin or Conservative plate margin. Volcanism is generally associated with Divergent and Convergent plate margins or hot-spot activity. Therefore no volcanoes in Bay Area.

Q 27 a. Ozone depletion in the stratosphere

Causes -

Effects -

1. Hamful to Humans - UV rays which ozone layer absorbs find unguarded entrance on the earth's surface. These rays are responsible for causing skin cancers, cataracts, retinal damage, immunosuppression etc.

2. Harmful to plants and animals - Planktons are greatly affected by UV rays. Their production is disrupted and this may lead to further decrease in marine life production as planktons are basic elements in aqauic food chain. Loss of marine life may result in loss of Biodiversity.

3. Loss to Agriculture - reduced growth of crops, low photosynthesis and flowering activity can harm agricultural outputs.

4. Many infrastuctural materials like Wood, plastic, rubber, fabrics are degraded by UV radiation.

5. On a positive note, limited exposure to UV helps in triggering Vitamin D growth in human body, growth of certain microbes and improving navigation prowess of certain insects.

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