Wikibooks: IB Geography/Extreme environments

• Format: Book
• Language: English
• Subjects: Ice; permafrost
• Online Access: https://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/IB_Geography/Extreme_environments

This theme studies two types of extreme environment old and high altitude environments (polar glacial areas periglacial areas high mountains in non‑tropical latitudes) ot arid environments (hot deserts and semi‑arid areas) = Challenging Environments = = Global Distribution = = Explain the global distribution of each of the two kinds of extreme environment = = The distribution of cold and high altitude environments = Cold and high altitude environments are generally found along constructive plate margins where fold mountains form or polar regions. Mountainous regions have a high elevation where atmospheric pressure is lower which causes lower temperatures. The sun s rays are received more easily however more solar radiation is reflected due to the high reflectivity of snow. At higher latitudes less heat penetrates the atmosphere as it is thicker and spread across a greater area. = The distribution of hot environments = Hot arid environments are found in the tropics. These areas receive direct sunlight in summer and winter. Hadley cells in the atmosphere also cause aridity as the warm moist air rises from the equator. This condenses and precipitates and the cooler air sinks over the tropical latitudes. The air is drier as cool air cannot hold as much moisture. The air then heats as it spreads over tropical regions and rises again. Hot arid climates can also be found in rain shadows mountainous regions with arid areas behind them. The mountains cause relief rainfall and then the dry air blows across the landscape drying it out. =Describe the relief and climatic characteristics that make these environments extreme. Explain how these characteristics present challenges for resource development and human habitation. = = Population = = Physical Characteristics = = Glacial Environments = = Peri glacial Environments = A periglacial environment is a place where the temperature is seasonally below the freezing point. but never covered by ice. They have a layer of permafrost on or below the surface. Periglacial ...