Explain why it is not necessary to visit Earth's North Pole or South Pole to experience a polar environment


It is not necessary to visit the world's polar regions. Because temperature decreases with altitude, climate changes experienced when climbing 300 m (1000 ft) in elevation are about equivalent in high latitudes to horizontal changes experienced when traveling 300 km (186 mi) northward (a distance equal to 3° latitude). Moreover, as air rises along the windward side of a mountain, precipitation amounts usually increase the higher you go. Therefore, when ascending a high mountain, once can travel through many climatic regions in a relatively short distance. Thus, highland climates can show a great deal of variation in temperature, precipitation, and vegetation over a relatively short vertical change in elevation, which can be compared to environments found at the North and South Poles.

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

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What is an anthropogenic landscape?

A) a landscape that has been heavily transformed by human activities B) a landscape the bears an uncanny resemblance to the human physical form C) a landscape that anthropologists have studied extensively D) a steppe -like landscape E) a pristine, natural landscape, in its original state

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

As a result of China's "one-child" policy, the number of baby boys far outweighs the number of baby girls

Indicate whether the statement is true or false

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Among the following choices, the closest match for a divergent boundary is ________

A) the East African Rift valley B) the San Andreas Fault C) the Appalachian Mountains D) the Mariana Trench

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences

Which region of the U.S. has the lowest percents of workers covered by labor unions?

A) the southeast B) the northeast C) the west D) the Great Plains E) New England

Environmental & Atmospheric Sciences