Air-Sea Interactions

WindsPressure systemsSea ice

Global winds

Uneven heating of earth Convection

Start with flattened earthThen transfer to rounded earth

SP NPEQ

Coriolis effect

Occurs on Earth because it rotates Water and atmosphere are not firmly

attached to solid Earth and lag behind Winds do not flow in straight lines

Modify winds for rotating EarthWork on drawings

All see table 6.2, p. 173

DESERTS: Some located due to global air circulation

Sea Breeze

Land Breeze

Regional pattern

Monsoon circulation

Summer Winter

Pressure systems

High pressureAir dropping at center of massCoriolis effect kicks in

Low pressure Air rising at center of massCoriolis effect kicks inHurricane is an intense low pressure system

Formation of sea ice

From early to late stages: Pancake ice…looks like its name Ice floes…..think of fishing polar bears Pack ice….substantial; melts in summer Polar ice….remains year-round

Pancake Ice

“Pancakes” become larger as ice coalesces

Courtesy of J. Phillips-Kress

Ice floes are forming

Courtesy of J. Phillips-Kress

Polar ice….vast expanses that remain year-round

Courtesy of US Navy

More ice…but is it sea ice?

Ice that forms on land is continental ice Includes glaciers Glaciers interact with oceans via icebergs

and shelf ice

Glacier along a coast

Alaskan glacier

Courtesy of M.S. Bollinger

Iceberg in Alaska

Courtesy of M.S. Bollinger