How Plate Tectonics, Sea-Level and Climate Change Are Interlinked - Coursework Example

HOW PLATE TECTONICS, SEA-LEVEL AND CLIMATE CHANGE ARE INTERLINKED by The British Isles are a representation ofthe greater United Kingdom, being a combination of the landmasses of Ireland and Great Britain. The climatic conditions present, are dynamic though majorly it may be classified as being a – Temperate Maritime Climate Zone. Such climate is rather characterized by the nonexistence of extreme conditions with the presence of warm summers and mild winter temperatures. In terms of rainfall, though frequent, it is not extreme, thus making the region generally free from the existence of hazardous atmospheric ecosystems. It is critical to differentiate between the climate and weather of a given locality. In terms of weather, this is in reference to the short-term prevailing atmospheric conditions as measured on the local scale. Climate on the other hand, regards the long-term prevailing atmospheric conditions of a given regional scale; mainly that which is measured over 30+ years. Adding to this is the description of microclimates, but only about unique climates vis-à-vis the surrounding regional climatic conditions. This can be used in the description of urban climate vis-à-vis the regional and/ local climatic conditions (British Geographer, 2011:6). Rising sea level is one of the major effects of global warming, affecting the region in focus also. This is because the Isles are surrounded by huge water bodies and thus continue to experience a receding coastline. Globally, coastal regions are some of the most densely populated areas, thus the influential nature of climate change and weather patterns. Influential to this context are natural causes i.e. isostatic (tectonic) and eustatic causes. The latter, regards to changes, which are climate-related, in reference to increased water mass being added to existing oceans and other water bodies. The Atlantic Ocean: Sea level and Climatic Influence Climatic conditions present in the British Isles are fundamentally influenced by the surrounding Atlantic Ocean. This is important because the water body acts vitally as a heath reservoir. It thus stores warm water during the winter season, to slowly warm up during summer. Due to the water body’s thermal capacity, this warming process takes longer, than that of the surrounding lands, thus providing a cooling effect during summer time. Moreover, the presence of winds, which bring air from the ocean body; spreading out over the Isles is noticeable. The result is definitely the presence of rain, though there is either a warming or a cooling effect present. Different regions of the greater British Isles do experience a contrast in terms of prevailing temperature and weather conditions. This is showcased by the fact that despite the prevailing weather conditions i.e. winter or summer it is colder in the north, as compared to the south of the Isles. In addition to this is the fact that the western region is generally warmer than the west. This includes the coastline of Western Scotland and England, as well as Wales and Ireland (Rayner, 1981:18). The latitude of the region further influences existing climatic conditions, with the southern areas receiving more isolation than the northern areas. This is in terms of the sun’s angle, in relation to the Earth’s tilt on its axis. Altitude matters, in terms of sea-level placement of land. The British Isles, Wales is placed on higher ground, with colder temperatures being experienced. There is influence by the average temperature fall of 0.65o Celsius for every 100 meters of altitude gained. Lesser insolation – incoming solar radiation absorbed by earth – provides a fall in temperature in relation to the prevailing air pressure levels. An increase in altitude results in a fall in air pressure, thereby affecting the rate of kinetic energy produced due to limited ability of air molecules colliding. Air masses and prevailing winds, in terms of impacts, also affect the Isles. If the prevailing winds is emanating from the north, this leads to colder temperatures vis-à-vis winds from the south influencing an increase in temperature. In the region, the dominant prevailing wind, referred to as the ‘westerlies’, do emanate from the Atlantic Ocean. They do increase the rate of evaporation through the journey, hence gathering huge quantities of water vapor. Warm air rises, in relation to the rise of altitude, resulting in a fall of air pressure. This catalyzes the formation of cloud cover, with rain drenching the Western region of the Isles (Parker, 1992:34). The Breccan Beacons (Wales), the rising hills of Snowdonia, the Grampians and Northern Highlands of Scotland; in addition to the Pennines and the Lake District of England are the regions, which experience the most precipitation. On the windward side, on the seaward facing mountain ranges and hill slopes of the Western British Isles, is thus the recipient of plentiful rainfall. On the eastern slopes of the leeward side of the lands, there is a distinct fall in rainfall. On this side, referred to as the rain shadow, air is not able to rise because of the rise in altitude, thereby making the air slowly sink. This gives rise to increased air pressure that gives way to lower humidity rates. It is able to thus, lock water vapor, resulting in little or no condensation. Plate Tectonics: Influences and Effects Over a long-term duration of time in effect referring to millions of years, tectonic plates undergo through motions, which fundamentally reconfigure both ocean and global land areas. Through this dynamism, there is the creation of the varying nature of topography present. This is because the positioning of continental land mass, does determine the geometry of prevailing water masses and oceans. Thus, ocean circulation is influenced, because the location of water bodies is vital in controlling moisture and heat transfer across the world. Continent (land) size does also matter, due to the stabilizing influence of oceans on prevailing land temperature. Thus, yearly variations are usually lower at the coastal region than inland areas (Cornfield & Gawthorpe, 1996:45). Larger continental areas, because of larger land area, experience mainly seasonal climate, as opposed to islands or smaller continents. The British Isles, as a region is in the latter category, thus experiencing specific climatic conditions. Both the Hercynian and Caledonian histories were influential on the British Isles in terms of plate-boundary evolution. A case in point would be the complex nature of Scotland’s Ballantrae region, which is affected by the resulting effects of ridge-ridge transformations. The Southern Uplands are on their part, affected by both the sedimentation in subduction accretion prisms and diachronous deformation present. Plate tectonics (and movement) do thus, provide a rational geological framework, on which aspects such as the British basin evolution, may be explored/ explained and tested. During the Tertiary times, different regions of the globe, were affected by the tectonic depression and elevation experienced. Notably, the effect along the Alpine chain is evident, the Alps and the Apennines, which gradually rose tectonically during the Quaternary times. In Scotland, the effects are present on the late Flandrian and glacial-raised beaches. To be noted is that only mild tectonic influences are present on the British Isles (Dewey, 1982:23). In conclusion, the continued rise of sea levels is because of the serious consequences facing the globe in terms of global warming. The British Isles, as a group of islands surrounded by huge water bodies, thus experience varied climatic conditions and weather patterns. Of fundamental influence is the Atlantic Ocean, as it transforms the nature of the UK’s flora and fauna. This is in terms of the rainfall experienced, temperature change and solar insolation. Changes in air pressure, as a result of the ‘westerlies’ winds do influence the colder nature of the northern region, as opposed to the South. In addition is the nature of extended rainfall on the western regions of the Isles, because of their being placed on the windward side. Reference List British Geographer 2011, The Climate of the British Isles. The British Geographer. Retrieved from: http://thebritishgeographer.weebly.com/the-climate-of-the-british-isles.html Cornfield, S. M. & Gawthorpe, RLF 1996, Inversion tectonics of the Variscan Foreland of the British Isles. Journal of the Geological Society, 153: 17-32 Dewey, JF 1982, Plate Tectonics and the Evolution of the British Isles [Thirty-fifth William Smith Lecture]. Journal of the Geological Society, 139(4): 371-412. Parker, BB 1992, Sea Level as an Indicator of Climate and Global Change. Marine Technology Society Journal, 25(4). Rayner, DH 1981, The Stratigraphy of the British Isles, (2nd Ed.). CUP Archive. Read More