Use a rough map sketch to help explain the role that the oceans play in determining the climates of southern South America and Southern Africa, poleward 20oS
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Ocean currents move warmer water toward the poles and cooler water towards the equator. The Benguela and Humboldt Currents, which are cold offshore currents, are responsible for the Namib Desert on the west coast of South Africa and the Atacama Desert on the west coast of South America, respectively. The cold ocean currents reduce evaporation and cool the air that moves over them, a combination that inhibits convection and precipitation over the adjacent coastline. The deserts that form in this way are called littoral (alongshore) deserts. In fact, one of the driest deserts in the world is the Namib Desert along the coast of southwest Africa. The desert of Baja, California (actually in Mexico), is another example.
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Walking through a national park, you step off a well-marked trail to take a photograph and accidentally trample a rare orchid. This is an example of
A) commensalism. B) mutualism. C) predation. D) amensalism.
Oxidation is a common weathering process. Which group of minerals does it affect most? What minerals do oxidation reactions commonly form? How can you quickly recognize in the field the most common minerals formed by oxidation?
What will be an ideal response?
Energy from the sun is best absorbed by
A) ozone. B) nitrogen. C) carbon dioxide. D) methane. E) argon.
The secretion of renin by the kidneys results in which of the following?
A) the conversion of angiotensinogen to angiotensin B) an increase in blood pressure C) both a and b D) neither a nor b