Geographical investigations – student guide: extreme weather презентация

6GEO2 Unit 2 Geographical Investigations – Student Guide: Extreme Weather

Overview Overview Requirements of the specification What is extreme weather? Investigating extreme weather Ideas for fieldwork Research on extreme weather Making it work for the exam

1. Overview Unit 2 has four components, but you are only required to study two of these. In the 75 minute exam you answer one question based on your two chosen topic areas. This means there is no choice. This exam is designed to test both knowledge and understanding of geographical concepts as well as geographical skills. Fieldwork, research and the enquiry process lie at the heart of this exam. The most important ways of ensuring the highest possible grades in this module is (i) being able to focus on the question set, (ii) to be able to use resources effectively, and (iii) to get your fieldwork in a form that works for the exam.

UNIT 2 – Assessment overview and structure Normally the first part of each question starts with a data stimulus element. The fieldwork and research elements are related directly to work you have carried out during a field trip AND may involve questions about how you processed, interpreted etc what you found. The remaining question is more management and issues based. Here case study knowledge will be required.

What do we mean by extreme weather?

Extreme weather at Malham Tarn (Source: Field Studies Council)

There are various types of extreme weather

How can extreme weather events be classified? An immediate disastrous weather event – e.g. a tornado or hurricane such as Katrina. A subsequent hazard – e.g. flash flooding such as in Carlisle. A longer term trend or condition – e.g. heat wave such as in France or a drought in Australia.

Is extreme weather getting worse?

Global deaths from weather-related hazard events (1997-2007)

Some basics – An Atlantic sequence. How could this lead to extreme weather?

Deep depressions – possible impacts High winds and gales (numerous examples) Coastal floods and storm surges Sometimes violent thunderstorms High intensity rainfall = possible flooding Sequence can saturate ground = further flooding

Winter and summer anticyclones Winter smog forms as pollutants are trapped by temperature inversions Clear skies lead to radiation cooling and freezing conditions Effects on health (asthma) Road accidents increase (pile-ups) Hypothermia risk increases (elderly) Wildlife suffers (birds) Power demand increases

Risks associated with hurricanes Hurricanes are predictable in terms of their spatial distributions, but the risks and impacts can be much harder to forecast. Depends on a number of physical and human factors, e.g.

There are other types of extreme weather that need to be studied for the exam, e.g. tornadoes, drought, development of snow and ice etc. There are other types of extreme weather that need to be studied for the exam, e.g. tornadoes, drought, development of snow and ice etc. These could form part of a data stimulus response, or could be required as case study detail.

Thinking about fieldwork and research

Auditing the specification for extreme weather

How show I go about a weather diary?