IB Geography Topic C.1.2 Relief and Climatic Characteristics Revision Notes (SL/HL)

IB Geography Topic C.1.2 Relief and Climatic Characteristics Revision Notes (SL/HL) | RevisionDojo

Written by official IB examiners

Factors Contributing to Extreme Conditions

Extreme environments can be broadly categorized into two types:
Cold and high-altitude environments
Hot and arid environments.

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Low Temperatures

Temperature Gradient with Altitude:

Temperatures decrease by approximately 6.5°C per 1,000 meters of elevation.
This is due to the thinning of the atmosphere, which reduces its ability to retain heat.

Polar Regions:

Temperatures can drop below -50°C due to the tilt of the Earth, which limits solar energy reaching these areas.

Example

In the Himalayas, temperatures can plummet to -20°C or lower at high altitudes, while in Antarctica, winter temperatures fall below -60°C.

2. High Winds and Snow/Ice Accumulation

Wind Chill:

High winds amplify the cold, making it feel much colder than the actual temperature.

Note

Tip

Wind chill can make a -10°C day feel like -30°C, significantly increasing the risk of frostbite and hypothermia.

Snow and Ice:

Snow and ice accumulation creates hazardous conditions, such as avalanches and glacial movement.

3. Limited Oxygen at High Altitudes

Reduced Atmospheric Pressure:

At high altitudes, the air is thinner, meaning less oxygen is available for breathing.

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IB Geography C.1.2 Relief and Climatic Characteristics Notes

Factors Contributing to Extreme Conditions

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Low Temperatures

Temperature Gradient with Altitude:

Polar Regions:

2. High Winds and Snow/Ice Accumulation

Wind Chill:

Snow and Ice:

3. Limited Oxygen at High Altitudes

Reduced Atmospheric Pressure:

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Factors Contributing to Extreme Conditions

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Low Temperatures

Temperature Gradient with Altitude:

Polar Regions:

2. High Winds and Snow/Ice Accumulation

Wind Chill:

Snow and Ice:

3. Limited Oxygen at High Altitudes

Reduced Atmospheric Pressure:

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Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

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1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

IB Geography C.1.2 Relief and Climatic Characteristics Notes

1 Changing Population3 subtopics

2 Global Climate - Vulnerability and Resilience3 subtopics

3 Global Resource Consumption and Security3 subtopics

4 Power, Places and Networks (HL only)3 subtopics

5 Human Development and Diversity (HL only)3 subtopics

6 Global Risks and Resilience (HL only)3 subtopics

Option A Freshwater - Drainage Basins4 subtopics

Option B Oceans and Coastal Margins4 subtopics

Option C Extreme Environments4 subtopics

Option D Geophysical Hazards4 subtopics

Option E Leisure, Tourism and Sport4 subtopics

Option F The Geography of Food and Health4 subtopics

Option G Urban Environments5 subtopics

Factors Contributing to Extreme Conditions

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Low Temperatures

Temperature Gradient with Altitude:

Polar Regions:

2. High Winds and Snow/Ice Accumulation

Wind Chill:

Snow and Ice:

3. Limited Oxygen at High Altitudes

Reduced Atmospheric Pressure:

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account

Factors Contributing to Extreme Conditions

Cold and High-Altitude Environments

1. Low Temperatures

Temperature Gradient with Altitude:

Polar Regions:

2. High Winds and Snow/Ice Accumulation

Wind Chill:

Snow and Ice:

3. Limited Oxygen at High Altitudes

Reduced Atmospheric Pressure:

anim nostrud sit dolore minim proident quis fugiat velit et eiusmod nulla quis nulla mollit dolor sunt culpa aliqua

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit

Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident

Unlock the rest of this chapter with a free account