SEE Social Studies Notes (Unit 5: Our Earth: Climate, Vegetation and Earthquakes)

Unit 5: Our Earth: Climate, Vegetation and Earthquakes

34. List the factors that influence the climate of a place and describe them in brief.

Ans. The factors that affect the climate of a place are as follows:

a) Latitude or distance from the equator

b) Altitude or height above the sea level

c) Distance from the sea

d) Slope of land

a) Latitude or distance from the equator:

The rays of the sun are vertical throughout the year at the equator whereas the sun rays are slanting when we move north and south of the equator. The rays of the sun have to heat a small area at the equator whereas the rays have to heat larger areas at the poles. Similarly, the rays of the sun have to travel a shorter distance at the equator whereas the rays have to travel longer distance at the poles. So, there is hot in equator and cold in the poles.

b) Altitude or height above the sea level:

The plain areas are hotter than the hills and mountains. The density of air is thicker in the plain area or near the surface of the earth. The air in lower altitude contains dust particles and water vapour and they absorb more heat from the sun and climate become hot. As the altitude increase the air becomes thinner and thinner as they contain less amounts of dust particles and water vapour and they absorb less amount of heat and climate become cold. On the other hand, with the ascent of 165 meters in height, the temperature decreases by 1° Celsius. That is why Nepalgunj in the terai is hotter than Namche Bazar situated in the mountain region.

c) Distance from the sea:

Coastal region or the places near the sea or ocean are comparatively moderate that those places situated far away. This is due to the phenomena of land and sea breeze. Sea gets heated and cools down very slowly. Therefore the areas situated near the sea are neither too hot nor too cold. Whereas land being solid heated and cooled down very quickly. That is why the areas situated far away from the sea has extreme climate.

d) Slope of land:

Slopes facing south in the Northern Hemisphere are warmer than those facing north. This is because the rays of the sun strike the south facing slopes as steeper or vertical angle than they do in the northern slopes. Manang and mustang are very cold and dry as they lie in the northern slopes of the Himalayas. While the southern slopes are warmer and receives good amount of rainfall in summer.

35. With reference to various natural vegetation zones and climatic zone, describe how climate has controlled the features of vegetation.

OR

"Natural vegetation is the product of the climate". Explain the statement with suitable examples.

Ans. Climate has direct influence of natural vegetation. The growth and development of vegetation depends upon climatic features like temperature, rainfall, moisture, etc. thus, particular vegetation grows in a particular climate. An area having high temperature and rainfall like around equator has dense tropical Rainforest. But as rainfall decrease we find vast grassland or barren desert with some thorny bushes. Similarly, as temperature decreases we find cone shaped trees like pine, fir, etc. further decreased in temperature result in occurrence of mosses and lichen or no vegetation at all. So, we cannot grow coconut in Solukhumbu, nor we can grow rhododendron in Terai.

The characteristics of vegetation differ with difference in climatic features. What does plant do to adopt with the climate? Write with examples.

Or

The features of vegetation change according to the change of nature of climate. How do plants adopt themselves according to the climate? Write with examples.

Ans. Different types of vegetation's are found in different types of climate. Vegetation must struggle with climate or nature to survive. The successful one survives as the fittest and failures disappeared. Thus for the sake of survival, vegetation modify their leaves, roots, timber, trunk, etc. to associate themselves with a particular climate. For example, most of the plants in desert have long roots which go deep down to the earth surface in search of water and waxy leaves to protect the moisture from evaporation. Similarly, the trees in savanna region has umbrella shaped to protect them from strong wind. The trees in cold region has cone shaped to protect them from snow.

36. Distinguish between savanna and Equatorial climatic region.

Equatorial climatic region	Savanna climatic Region
It lies between 0 to 5° north and south of the equator.	It lies between of 5 to 20° north and south of the equator.
There is no change in season.	It experiences two seasons- summer and winter.
It is hot and wet throughout the year.	It is hot and dry, less rainfall occurs in summer.
Tropical rainforest is found.	Tall grasses, scrubby bushes and shrubs are found.
It receives rainfall daily in the afternoon.	It receives rainfall during the summer.

37. Differentiate between tropical desert and Equatorial climate.

Tropical desert	Equatorial climate
It lies between the latitudes of 20 to 30° north and south of the equator.	It lies between the latitude of 0 to 5° north and south of the equator.
It is hot and dry throughout the year.	It is hot and wet throughout the year.
Natural vegetation is extremely poor.	Tropical rainforest is found.
It experiences two seasons- summer and winter.	There is no change in season.
It receives very less annual rainfall throughout the year.	It receives rainfall daily in the afternoon.

38. Point out four differences in vegetation and lifestyle found in Equatorial and Mediterranean climatic region.

Equatorial climatic region	Mediterranean climatic region
Tropical rain-forest is found.	Most of the forest has been cleared for settlement and cultivation.
The trees are tall with hard wood.	Trees are short, hard wood, spongy bark and thick leathery leaves.
People live by hunting wild animals and gathering wild fruits and edible roots.	People engaged in industry, trade, tourism, viticulture, etc.
People follow primitive way of living.	People's life standard is very high.
There is no change in season.	It experiences two seasons- summer and winter.
It is hot and wet throughout the year.	Summer is hot and dry and winter is cold and wet.
It receives rainfall daily in the afternoon.	It receives rainfall in winter.

39. Compare between the Mediterranean climate and St. Lawrence climate.

Mediterranean climate	St. Lawrence climate
Trees are short, hard wood, spongy bark and thick leathery leaves.	Mixed type vegetation is found.
It receives rainfall in winter.	It receives rainfall throughout the year.
It lies between the latitude of 30° to 40° north and south of the equator.	It lies between the latitude of 45° to 60° north of the equator in the northern hemisphere only.
Summer is hot and dry and winter is cold and wet.	Summer is short, warm and wet and winter is long and very cold with snowfall.

40. Compare between the Equatorial climate and Tropical Monsoon climate.

Equatorial climate	Tropical Monsoon climate
It lies between the latitude of 0° to 5° north and south of the equator.	It lies between the latitude of 5° to 30° north and south of the equator.
Tropical rain-forest is found.	Deciduous types of forest are found.
There is no change in season.	It experiences two seasons- summer and winter.
It has hot and wet climate throughout the year.	It has hot and wet summer and cold and dry winter.
It receives rainfall daily in the afternoon.	It receives rainfall during summer.

41. Differentiate between tropical and subtropical climate.

Tropical climate	Subtropical climate
It lies between the latitude of 0° to 30° north and south of the equator.	It lies between the latitude of 30° to 60° north and south of the equator.
Agriculture is the main economic activities of the people living in this climate.	Industry and trade are the main economic activities of the people living in this climate.
Hot and wet climate with plenty of rainfall in summer.	Hot and dry in summer and cold and wet in winter. Rainfall takes place in winter.
Most of the countries are developing and people have low standard of living. People produce plenty of paddies.	Most of the countries are highly developed and people have high standard of living. This climate is famous for wine production.

42. Areas where earthquake originates frequently

a) The area around the Pacific Ocean and rocky and Andes Mountain ranges.

b) East Asia along with Himalayas, Hindu Kush and Suleiman Mountain range.

c) Iran and Turkey of Asia.

d) Alps Mountain in Europe.

43. Differences between hypocenter and epicenter.

Hypocenter	Epicenter
It is the point from where the earthquake originates first.	It is the place/point where the earthquake effect reaches first.
It is the point below the earth surface.	It is the point just above the hypocenter.

More Important Questions on Earthquake

A. What is an earthquake? Write its causes.

The sudden shaking or vibration of the earth's surface due to the release of energy inside the earth is called an earthquake. Its main causes are:

a) Movement of tectonic plates. This is the main cause. Nepal lies where the Indian plate pushes under the Eurasian plate, so Nepal has a high risk of earthquakes.

b) Volcanic eruptions.

c) Collapse of underground caves and mines.

d) Human activities like building very large dams and nuclear tests.

B. Effects of earthquake

a) Loss of human lives and injuries.

b) Destruction of houses, roads, bridges, schools and hospitals.

c) Damage to historical and cultural heritage.

d) Landslides in hilly areas and tsunamis in coastal areas.

e) People become homeless and the economy of the country suffers.

C. Safety measures against earthquake

Before an earthquake:

a) Build earthquake-resistant houses by following the building code.

b) Fix heavy furniture and shelves to the wall.

c) Keep an emergency kit (water, dry food, torch, first aid box, whistle) ready.

During an earthquake:

a) Drop, cover and hold on under a strong table or bed.

b) Stay away from windows, glass and heavy objects.

c) If you are outside, move to an open space away from buildings, trees and electric poles.

After an earthquake:

a) Go out carefully to an open place and be ready for aftershocks.

b) Help the injured and give first aid.

c) Do not use lifts and do not enter damaged buildings.

D. Richter scale

The Richter scale is used to measure the magnitude (strength) of an earthquake. An increase of 1 on the scale means about 10 times stronger shaking and about 32 times more energy. The instrument that records an earthquake is called a seismograph.

E. Gorkha Earthquake 2072 B.S.

A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.8 struck Nepal on 12 Baisakh 2072 B.S. (25 April 2015). Its epicenter was at Barpak in Gorkha district. Nearly 9,000 people lost their lives and more than 22,000 were injured. Hundreds of thousands of houses and many heritage sites, including Dharahara and temples of Kathmandu Valley, were damaged or destroyed. A major aftershock of magnitude 7.3 struck on 29 Baisakh 2072 B.S. (12 May 2015).