GEOG 102 Module 3 Lab Pt A

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Oregon State University, Corvallis *

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Geography

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Apr 3, 2024

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Ruby McNamee GEOG 102 Module 3 Lab: Global Temperature Patterns Part A (40 pts) Procedure: Patterns of Annual Mean Temperatures (17.5 pts) One of the patterns of climate is annual mean temperature. Before you start showing properties to clients, let's make sure that you understand what factors determine annual mean temperatures, and what patterns those factors create. Figure 1 (on page 4 of this document) shows mean annual temperatures across the contiguous United States, and Figure 2 (on page 5 of this document) shows annual mean temperatures on a global scale. The legend defines the temperature ranges in both Fahrenheit and Celsius – give your answers in Celsius. 1. According to the course textbook, what are the principal controls on mean temperature? Provide two specific examples of how those influences shape the temperature patterns shown in Figure 1? (6.5 pts) - The textbook says the principal controls on mean temperature are latitude, altitude and elevation, cloud cover, land–water heating differences, and the influence of ocean currents and sea-surface temperatures. This is exemplified in Figure 1 as areas closest to the equator, or lower in altitude, have much higher mean temperatures than those at higher latitudes. It is also shown through the temperature differences in mountain ranges which we can see because their mean temperature is much lower, exemplifying how altitude affects mean temperatures. 2. What factor accounts for the difference in temperature between West Virginia and Kentucky? (1.5 pts) - West Virginia is slightly further North and closer to the ocean than Kentucky is, which could affect their temperature difference. The difference in latitude accounts for the temperature difference. 3. What factor accounts for the difference in temperature between Colorado and Kansas? (1.5 pt) - The biggest factor accounting for the temperature difference between Colorado and Kansas is the mountains in Colorado. Their high elevations spanning across the state make its mean temperature much lower than Kansas’. 4. What factor is the main influence on the temperatures along 90°W? Explain how this is manifested, or shown, in Figure 1. (2.5 pts) - The change in latitude is the main influence on temperatures along 90º W. This is shown through the figure because as you follow 90º W up from the bottom of the map to the top, the mean temperatures in the areas are shown to decrease significantly. As latitude increases, so does temperature. 5. Refer to Figure 2. What is the range in temperatures along the 90°W line of longitude, from 30°N to 70°N? [Assume the darkest red on the map represents temperatures greater than 25 °C] (2 pts) - It changes from -15º C to greater than 25º C, so the range is about 40º C 6. What is the rate of temperature change along 90°W, from 30°N to 70°N, calculated in units of temperature degrees per degree of latitude? To find this, take the
temperature range you found in question 5 and divide it by the number of degrees from 30°N to 70°N. Be sure to clearly state the units of your result. (1.5 pts) - 40ºC/40ºN=1. The rate of temp change along 90º W from 30ºN to 70ºN is 1ºC per 1º in latitude. 7. Refer to Figure 2. What is the annual mean temperature at the following coordinates (2 pts): a. (30°S, 150°E) = 20º C b. (10°N, 10°W) = 25º C c. (70° N, 40°W) = -15º C d. (50° S, 70°W) = 10º C Analyze & Conclude (22.5 pts) 8. List at least two factors, other than latitude, that are responsible for the mean temperature patterns across North America seen Figure 1? (2.5 pt) - Altitude and elevation, cloud cover, land–water heating differences, and the influence of ocean currents and sea-surface temperatures 9. Describe the range and pattern of mean temperatures across Colorado along the 40°N latitude line. Explain the factors that cause the temperature to vary from west to east. You may need to zoom in on the figure to get a more accurate analysis. (4 pts) - In Colorado, Figure 1 shows that the state’s mean temperature ranges from 15º C to -3º C (roughly). The West side of the state begins at a mean of 12º C and then rapidly changes to much cooler areas as you head East. A similar pattern happens starting from the East side and heading West. This rapid change is due to the Rocky Mountains in the state, clearly depicted by the much cooler temperatures. 10. According to Figure 1, which state has the lowest average annual temperatures over its entire area? The highest? (2 pts) - The state with the lowest temperature in figure one could be Wyoming or North Dakota. Wyoming has more range of colder and less cold temperatures but North Dakota has less range of temperatures and is more consistently a lower temperature. The coldest areas on the map are along the top of the map, located in Canada, but I didn’t know if these were included in this question. - The state with the highest temperature in figure one is Florida. 11. Referring to Figure 2, compare the mean temperatures along 50°N from 130°W to 60°W with the mean temperatures along 50°N from 10°W to 140°E. What is the range across North America? What is the range across Eurasia? What explains the difference between them? (4 pts) - 130°W to 60°W: 0º to 10º C - 10°W to 140°E: -10º to 15º C - Range across North America: On 50º N, North America begins at about 10ºC on the west end, quickly changes to 5ºC, crosses in and out of 5ºC and 0ºC, and ends at 5ºC on the Eastern edge. - Range Across Eurasia: On 50ºN, Eurasia begins at 10º or 15ºC on the West end. As you move east, it is a pretty consistent 10ºC until about 60ºE when it drops to 5ºC. From there it switches between 5º, 0º, and -5º C until you hit the east edge. - Difference: North America is comparatively warmer than Eurasia along the same latitude due to the Gulf Stream, geographical features such as mountains, and continentality.
- Extra credit (1 pt): What causes western Europe to be warmer than western Canada at this latitude? The heat from the Gulf Stream causes western Europe to be warmer than western Canada at the same latitude. 12. If continental drift suddenly went crazy and Australia moved 30° to the south, by how much would the mean temperatures change? Use your rate of change calculated in Question 6. What would be the new range of mean temperatures across the continent? You may need to zoom in on the map to get a better read on the colors (4 pts) - If the continent of Australia were to move 30º south, the mean temperature of the continent would decrease by about 30º C, because the rate of temperature change from question 6 was 1º C per 1º of latitude. The new range of temperature would be about -5º to -20ºC because the original range was 25º to 10º C 13. Based on Figure 1, identify states in the United States for your client that would be the best for a ski resort (mean annual temperature below 0°C), citrus farms (mean annual temperature above 21°C), and beach resorts (mean annual temperature above 21°C and below 24°C). (3 pts) - Ski resort: Idaho, Colorado - Citrus farms: Florida - Beach resorts: Texas, Florida, Louisiana 14. Based on Figure 2 identify for your client two global locations that would be suitable for long term cryogenic storage of important seeds. To be suitable, the annual mean temperature needs to be as cold or colder than -15°C. (3 pts) - Greenland and Northeastern Russia (about 65º N, 135º E) Part B (10 pts) Part B of this lab, exploring annual temperature range, will be completed online in the MyLab and Mastering section of Canvas. Figure 1: Mean annual temperature, contiguous United States
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