QUESTION 3:
This question has four parts, each 25 points each (100 pts total). It addresses ocean and atmospheric circulation, and energy. What would happen to wind patterns and/or currents in these hypothetical situations?
a) Energy receipt is highest between 0° and 23.5° N and S as this is where the sun moves overhead. What would happen if instead the sun moved overhead across a much larger region, such thatit was traveling overhead between 0° and60° N and S? Think about how this might impact certain, major wind patterns. [25 pts]
b) What would happen if all the major mountain ranges, particularly in the north hemisphere were gone? The Rockies, Himalayas, the Alps, etc. Think of specific impacts to winds and global wind patterns. [25 pts]
c) What would happen if earth rotated the other way? Think about ocean currents and their direction and location around continents.[25 pts]
d) What would happen if there was 0 (zero) sea ice in the world, northern or southern hemisphere? Think about energy, density, ocean circulation and currents.[25 pts]
QUESTION 4:
After hurricane Irma, and partially trigger by news distributed by social media during that period, people in Ecuador (particularly in coastal places) have started to worry that changes in climate will translate into having tropical cyclones of similar magnitude hitting their country. After all, unusual patterns of rainfall, increase temperature that is melting glaciers in the Andes, etc., are relatively new climate-related events easily perceivable by people. As a climate expert, please explain to Ecuadorians briefly:
i) how tropical cyclones are formed and where they occur globally mentioning key factors for their formation and for them to gain strength; [25 pts]
ii) using the previous information, discuss whether or not they have reason to worry about a tropical cyclone of high magnitude hitting Ecuador as a result of changes in climate. [25 pts]
[50 pts total]
QUESTION 5:
Explain briefly what the El Niño Northern Oscillation (ENSO) is and how it would affect the following locations: Piura, Peru; Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea; Gainesville, FL, USA. Be detailed and scientific – give reasons and explain your answer for each location. [25 pts]