Geography

Interpreting Climagraphs (24 pts)

  3) 
Based on your group assessment of the newly discovered planet’s
climate, NASA decides to land surface probes on the planet.  The probes
landing locations are determined by NASA officials (see Map 1). 
After a year of data collection they provide you with enough
information to form climagraphs for each location.  Analyze the probe
data on from each landing site.  This data includes information of
temperature and precipitation in climagraph form.  Additional probe data
for annual precipiatation, temperature and evapotranspiration (POTET)
is also included in Table 2.  Using Map 1, individual probe data, Table 2 and the handout on Köppen classification, answer each of the following questions for each probe (12 points). 

A)  Based on the probe data which Köppen climate appears at the landing site? 

B)  Do these observations match your speculations in the climate regionalization in Lab 4 at this site?

C)  What geographic
factors might explain any differences between your speculative genetic
regionalization and your field observations from the probes?

Note: At least one climagraph is totally irregular and does not match any Köppen climate.  Question our initial assumptions about the planet!

Probe 1

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 2

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 3

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 4

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 5

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 6

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 7

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 8

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 9

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 10

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 11

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

Probe 12

  A) Köppen Climate:

  B) Expected Climate:

  C) Explanation of Differences:

  4) A press conference is held about the data from the surface probes on Tau Ceti 3.  Answer
the following questions (write out in complete sentences!). Be sure to
address location in terms of latitude and position on the relevant
landmass.

A)  Which probe site has the lowest mean annual temperature?  Is this expected or unexpected given its location? Briefly explain why. (1 pt)

B)  Which probe site has the highest monthly temperature?  Is this expected or unexpected given its location? Briefly explain why. (1 pt)

C)  Which probe site experiences the greatest fluctuation between highest and lowest monthly temperatures?  Approximately how much is the fluctuation?  Is this expected or unexpected given its location? Briefly explain why. (3 pts)

D) 
Which probe site experiences the least fluctuation between highest and
lowest monthly temperatures?  Approximately how much is the fluctuation
in degrees?  Is this expected or unexpected given its location? Briefly
explain why. (3 pts)

E)  Why is POTET and Precip so low at Probe 10? What other probe site shows an unexpectedly low POTET?  (3 pts)

F)  Which probe site is the most suitable for human colonization in your opinion?  Kim
Kardashian has announced that she wants to lead the colonization
efforts, yet she insists on only living in a climate similar to Los
Angeles. Which site would you recommend to Kim? (1 pt)

Table 2

  POTET (inches)  Precip (inches)  Mean Annual Temp. (F°)

Probe 1:   26.8  27.1  59.8°

Probe 2:  69.2  124.6  77.9° 

Probe 3:  21.5  38.7  43.5°

Probe 4:  30.3  16.5  53.6°

Probe 5:  21.3  28.1  40.6°

Probe 6:  25.4  14.4  47.2°

Probe 7:  17.3  31.2  26.0°

Probe 8:  29.6  38.8  51.6°

Probe 9:  66.1  74.8  77.7°

Probe 10:  16.5  24.8  36.9°

Probe 11:  47.6  3.8  70.1°

Probe 12:  44.0  47.3  63.2°

Attachments: 

koppen_guide.doc

climagraphs_lab_5_final_c_f14.ppt