16-1 & 16-2 Vocabulary

is a natural process in which certain gases in the atmosphere keep heat near Earth and prevent it from radiating into space.

• Greenhouse effect

• Ozone layer

• Acid rain

• Global warming

atmospheric gases, like carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, that trap heat.

• Greenhouse Gasses

• Ozone Layer

• Acid Rain

• Air Pollutants

a change in global weather patterns; includes changes in temperatures, wind patterns, rainfall, and the frequency of storms

• global climate change

• local weather variation

• seasonal temperature fluctuation

• regional atmospheric stability

A pattern where warmer, less salty water moves along the surface of the ocean, and colder, saltier water moves deep beneath the ocean’s surface.

• Thermohaline circulation

• Oceanic conveyor belt

• Surface current dynamics

• Salinity gradient flow

This describes the surface characteristics of the area, including its elevation and features such as mountains, rivers, and lakes.

• Topography

• Geography

• Cartography

• Hydrology

a program that combines what is known about the atmosphere and oceans to simulate, or imitate, climate processes

• climate model

• weather simulator

• oceanic predictor

• atmospheric analyzer

a carbon-containing fuel formed over millions of years from the remains of living things

• renewable energy

• fossil fuel

• nuclear energy

• biomass

type of indirect evidence that serves as a substitute for direct measurement

• proxy indicator

• direct measurement

• primary evidence

• conclusive proof

an increase in Earth’s average surface temperature

• climate change

• global warming

• greenhouse effect

• ozone depletion