- Given, very high heat capacity, this is SMOKING GUN of global warming.
- Oceans are where the heat of global warming is stored.
Water's Heat Capacity
- Is very high!
- LOL... Energy required to increase temperature of water by 1 degree is equal to the energy required to throw a medium sized tomato 400m into the air.
Heat Distribution
Excess incoming energy in troics drive global circulation of the ocean and air that collectively move heat to to the poles and ultimately controls regional climates.
Ocean Circulation
Movement of heat and water within the oceans.
Storms
Really effective way to move heat and cool ocean.
Tropical Cyclones (Hurricanes)
Classified by max sustained wind speed
- Low pressure
- Powered by ocean heat.
Atmospheric Circulation
Low pressure near low latitudes (near equator).
High pressure near high latitudes.
Thus, you get these
High pressure
Results in sinking air.
Low pressure
Results in rising air.
Rotation
The most important component of atmospheric and oceanic circulation at large scales.
Coroilis Force
Tendency to curve when moving in a straight line.
Effect is strongest at poles, absent at equator..
Dynamic Topography
Basically a delta in the highest point in ocean and lowest point.
Gyres
We have 5 large consistent gyres in the world.
Eddys
Swirls/circles of water current that form during ocean circulation
El Nino / La Nina
Changes in pressure patterns, the southern oscillation.