South america climate.

South America is located on either side of the equator, but most of it lies in the southern hemisphere. The widest part of the mainland is located between the equator and the southern tropic, in the subtropical and temperate latitudes lies its narrowed and dissected extremity.

Geographical position between 12 ° N NS. and 56 ° S. NS. causes high amounts of solar radiation in almost the entire territory of South America. Most of it receives 120-160 kcal / cm 2 (5000-6700 MJ / m 2) per year, and only in the extreme south this value decreases to 80 kcal / cm 2 (3300 MJ / m 2). The radiation balance of the earth's surface has a negative value in winter time years just south of 45 ° S. sh., that is, on a very small part of the mainland.

An important factor of climate formation in South America, as well as in North America, is its orography. Air currents coming from the side Atlantic Ocean, freely penetrate westward up to the foot of the Andes. In the west and partly in the north, the Andes barrier affects the movement of air currents coming from The Pacific and Caribbean... The currents of the Atlantic and Pacific oceans off the coast of the continent are also of great importance. The Guiana and Brazilian branches of the South Tradewind Current in the Atlantic Ocean create a winter positive anomaly of about 3 ° C off the coast of South America. The Peruvian cold current in the Pacific Ocean, penetrating almost to the very equator, carries to the north masses of cold waters from Antarctica and reduces the temperature in the equatorial zone by 4 ° C compared to the average for these latitudes.

The most important type of atmospheric circulation for most of South America is the trade wind circulation in both hemispheres. Along the western periphery of the Atlantic highs, masses of relatively humid tropical air are carried out, which undergoes a transformation, moving inland and giving up a significant part of its moisture to the marginal uplifts of the Brazilian and Guiana Highlands.

On the eastern edge of the mainland, south of the equator, there are trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres, and in more western regions in summer time of each hemisphere, there is a transition of trade winds to the other hemisphere and the formation of monsoon winds.

The western margin of the continent is over a considerable extent exposed to the influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Maximum and associated southern and southwestern winds and trade winds.

The extreme south of the continent is affected by the western transfer of the temperate latitudes.

In January, the warmest part of South America lies south of the equator, and an area of ​​low pressure forms above it. The North Atlantic maximum is slightly displaced to the south, and the air flow outflowing along its southern periphery in the form of a northeastern trade wind captures the northern part of South America. It leaves significant rainfall on the eastern slopes of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, while in the interior of the Highlands and Orinoco Lowlands it is a dry wind associated with a period of drought. Crossing the equator, the air of this stream transforms into equatorial, changes direction to the north and northwest and irrigates with rain a large part of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.

From the side of the South Atlantic Maximum, monsoon winds blow towards the heated continent, bringing rains to the southeastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands and the La Plata Lowland.

Most of the west coast, ranging from 30 ° S. NS. and almost to the equator, it is influenced by the eastern periphery of the South Pacific maximum and receives no precipitation. Only a stretch of coastline north of Guayaquil Bay is affected by equatorial air masses and is watered by heavy rainfall.

Humid oceanic air comes to the extreme south of the continent from the west. At the same time, the coast of the Pacific Ocean and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive abundant rainfall, and the Patagonian plateau, located under the cover of the Andes and washed by a cold current from the east, becomes the center of the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes.

In July, the entire northern part of the continent is exposed to humid equatorial air brought in by the southwestern monsoon, and no less humid tropical marine air from the Atlantic Ocean.

High pressure and dry weather are set over the Brazilian Highlands as the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere moves northward. Only the southeastern edge of the highlands is affected by the southeastern trade winds coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean, and receives a significant, albeit less than summer, amount of precipitation.

In the subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere, westerly transport prevails and cyclonic rains fall. Patagonia is still a center for relatively dry and cold air, which at times breaks north and penetrates all the way to the Amazonian lowlands, causing significant drops in temperature there.

Over the central part of the Pacific coast in July, as in January, from 30 ° S. NS. to the equator, southerly and southwesterly winds prevail, blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian Current, which leads to great dryness on the Pacific coast in these latitudes. Only in its northern segment, where the trade wind passes into the southwestern monsoon, does a significant amount of precipitation fall.

South America is located mainly within the equatorial, both subequatorial and southern tropical climatic zones. In the extreme south, it enters the subtropical and temperate zones.

The equatorial climate belt in South America includes almost the entire Amazon lowland, except for the eastern part and the extreme south, the adjacent parts Guiana Highlands and the lowlands of Orinoco. The equatorial belt also includes the Pacific coast north of the equator. This belt is characterized by abundant rainfall and a uniform high temperature (+ 24, + 28 ° C) throughout the year. Annual precipitation ranges from 1500 to 2500 mm, and only on the slopes of the Andes and on the Pacific coast does the amount of precipitation increase to 5000-7000 mm per year. Southerly and southwesterly winds bring precipitation to this area throughout the year, and large amounts of them are explained by orographic reasons. In the Amazonian lowland, most of the precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial air masses. Abundant precipitation far exceeds evaporation, causing a high moisture coefficient throughout the year (much more than 100% everywhere).

The entire northern part of South America, including the Orinoco Lowlands, the Caribbean Sea coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, lies in the subequatorial belt of the northern hemisphere. The subequatorial belt of the southern hemisphere includes the north of the Brazilian Highlands and South part Amazonian lowlands, as well as part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5 ° S. NS. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are connected. A distinctive feature of the subequatorial climate - the seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is quite clearly expressed throughout this territory. In the southern hemisphere - in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazon Lowland and in the lower reaches of the Amazon - the equatorial monsoon rainy season lasts from about December to May, and its duration increases towards the equator. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, there is no precipitation during the trade winds. Only in the northern part of the coastal part of the Brazilian Highlands, where the trade winds, coming from the warm ocean, meet mountains on their way, it rains in winter.

The highest temperature is during the transition period between the end of the dry and the beginning of the wet season, when the average monthly temperature rises to +28, +30 6 C. At the same time, never average temperature does not happen below + 20 ° С.

Into the tropical climatic zone South America is only included in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are in an area of ​​humid trade winds, where rainfall throughout the year brings tropical air currents from the Atlantic. Climbing the slopes of the mountains, the air leaves on the windward side a large number of moisture. In terms of precipitation and humidification, this climate is close to the climate of the Amazon lowland, but is characterized by more significant temperature differences between the hottest and coldest months.

Inside the mainland in the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a maximum summer precipitation and a sharply expressed dry winter. In terms of the precipitation regime, it is close to subequatorial, but differs from it in sharp jumps in temperature, especially in winter, in lower annual precipitation amounts and insufficient moisture. Pacific coast between 5 and 30 ° S. NS. lies in the region of the climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts. This climate is most pronounced in the Atacama Desert, which is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific Maximum and temperature inversions created by the constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes and cold waters of the powerful Peruvian Current. At a relative humidity of up to 80%, very little precipitation falls - in some places only a few millimeters per year. Some compensation for the almost complete absence of rain is the abundant dew that falls on the coast in winter. The temperature of even the hottest months rarely exceeds + 20 ° С, and the seasonal amplitudes are small.

South of 30 ° S NS. South America is part of the subtropical climatic zone.

The southeast of the mainland (the southern edge of the Brazilian Highlands, the basin of lower Uruguay, the interfluve of the Parana and Uruguay, the eastern part of Pampa) has a uniform humid subtropical climate. In summer, northeastern winds of a monsoon nature bring moisture; in winter, precipitation falls due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in these areas are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures of about + 10 ° C, but temperature drops significantly below 0 ° C due to invasions of relatively cold air masses from the south.

The inland regions of the subtropical belt (Western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there a little, and precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year), falling in summer, is mainly of convective origin. Throughout the year, there are sharp fluctuations in temperature and frequent decreases in winter below 0 ° C at an average monthly temperature of + 10 ° C.

On the Pacific coast (from 30 to 37 ° S lat.) The climate is subtropical, with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific maximum, the summer there is almost rainless and cool (especially on the coast itself). Winters are mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.

In the temperate zone (south of 40 ° S lat.) Lies the narrowest part of South America. Patagonia is the center of the formation of the continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by westerly winds, the way of which is blocked to Patagonia by the Andes, therefore, their number does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter, there are severe colds due to the penetration of cold air from the south. Frosts in exceptional cases reach -30, -35 ° С, however, the average monthly temperatures are positive.

In the extreme southwest of the mainland and on the coastal islands, the climate is moderately warm, oceanic. This entire area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, rainfall is particularly high in winter. In summer, it rains less, but cloudy cloudy weather prevails. Annual precipitation amounts everywhere exceed 2000 mm. The differences in temperatures between summer and winter months are small.

The geographical position of the South American continent determines high values solar radiation: most of it receives it in the amount of 5000-6700 MJ / m2 (120-160 kcal / cm2) per year. The radiation balance of the earth's surface is negative in the winter season only south of 45 ° S, that is, on a very small part of the continent. Air currents coming from the Atlantic Ocean freely penetrate westward up to the foot of the Andes. In the west and partly in the north, the Andes barrier affects the air currents from the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. The Guiana and Brazilian branches of the South Tradewind Current in the Atlantic Ocean create a winter positive anomaly of about 3 ° C off the coast of South America. The Peruvian cold current in the Pacific Ocean, penetrating almost to the equator itself, carries to the north masses of cold waters from Antarctica and reduces the temperature in the equatorial zone by 4 ° C compared to average for these latitudes. Masses of relatively humid tropical air are carried along the western periphery of the Atlantic highs, which transforms, moving inland and giving up a significant part of its moisture to the marginal uplifts of the Brazilian and Guiana Highlands. On the eastern edge of the continent south of the equator, there are trade winds of the northern and southern hemispheres, and in more western regions in the summer, for each hemisphere, there is a transition of trade winds to another hemisphere and the formation of monsoon winds. The western margin of the continent is over a considerable extent exposed to the influence of the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Maximum and associated southern and southwestern winds and trade winds. The extreme south of the continent is affected by the western transfer of the temperate latitudes.

The North Atlantic maximum is slightly displaced to the south, and the air flow outflowing along its southern periphery in the form of a northeastern trade wind captures the northern part of South America. It leaves a significant amount of rainfall on the eastern slopes of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, and in the interior of the highlands and the Orinoco lowlands, this is already a dry wind, which is associated with a period of drought. Crossing the equator, the air flow transforms into an equatorial flow, changes direction to the north and north-west and irrigates with rain a large part of the Brazilian Highlands and the Gran Chaco plain.

From the side of the South Atlantic Maximum, monsoon winds blow towards the heated continent, bringing rains to the southeastern edge of the Brazilian Highlands and the La Plata Lowland. Most of the west coast, from 30 ° to almost the equator, is influenced by the eastern periphery of the South Pacific Maximum and receives no precipitation. Only the coastal area north of Guayaquil Bay is affected by equatorial air masses and is watered by heavy rainfall.

Humid oceanic air comes to the extreme south of the continent from the west, the Pacific coast and especially the western slopes of the Andes receive a large amount of precipitation, and the Patagonian Plateau, which is under the cover of the Andes and washed from the east by the cold Falkland Current, becomes the center for the formation of relatively dry continental air masses of temperate latitudes ...

In July, the entire northern part of the continent is exposed to humid equatorial air brought in by the southwestern monsoon, and no less humid tropical marine air from the Atlantic Ocean.

Set over the Brazilian Highlands high pressure and dry weather prevails due to the northward movement of the tropical maximum of the southern hemisphere. Only the southeastern edge of the highland is affected by the southeastern trade wind, coming directly from the Atlantic Ocean, and receives a significant, albeit less than summer, amount of precipitation.

In the subtropical and temperate latitudes of the southern hemisphere, westerly transport prevails and cyclonic rains fall. Patagonia is still a center for relatively dry and cold air, which at times erupts northward all the way to the Amazonian Plain, causing significant temperature drops there.

Over the central part of the Pacific coast from 30 ° S lat. almost to the equator, in July, as in January, southerly and south-westerly winds prevail, blowing parallel to the coast over the waters of the cold Peruvian Current. Low inversion levels prevent rainfall on the Pacific coast at these latitudes. Only on the northern coast, where the trade wind passes into the southwestern monsoon, receives a significant amount of precipitation.

South America is located mainly within the equatorial, both subequatorial and southern tropical climatic zones. In the extreme south, it enters the subtropical and temperate zones.

The equatorial climate zone in South America covers the entire Amazonian lowlands (except for the eastern part and the extreme south), the adjacent parts of the Guiana Highlands and the Orinoco Lowlands, and the Pacific coast north of the equator. This belt is characterized by abundant rainfall and uniform high temperatures (24 ... 28 ° C) throughout the year. Annual precipitation ranges from 1500 to 2500 mm, and on the slopes of the Andes and on the Pacific coast, the amount of precipitation increases to 5000 - 7000 mm per year.

Precipitation in this area throughout the year brings southerly and south-westerly winds, their large amounts are explained by orographic reasons. In the Amazonian lowland, most of the precipitation falls due to convective processes in the equatorial air masses. Abundant precipitation far exceeds evaporation, causing a high moisture coefficient throughout the year (much more than 100% everywhere).

The entire northern part of South America, including the Orinoco Lowlands, the Caribbean Sea coast, a significant part of the Guiana Highlands and the Guiana Lowlands, is located in the subequatorial belt of the northern hemisphere. The subequatorial belt of the southern hemisphere includes the north of the Brazilian Highlands and the southern part of the Amazonian Lowland, as well as part of the Pacific coast from the equator to 4-5 ° S. In the east, the subequatorial belts of the northern and southern hemispheres are connected. A distinctive feature of the subequatorial climate - seasonality in the distribution of precipitation - is quite clearly expressed in this territory. In the southern hemisphere - in the Brazilian Highlands, in the south of the Amazon Lowland and in the lower reaches of the Amazon - the equatorial monsoon rainy season lasts from about December to May, and its duration increases towards the equator. In the north, the rainy season lasts from May to December. In winter, there is no precipitation during the trade winds. Only in the northern part of the coastal part of the Brazilian Highlands, where the trade winds, coming from the warm ocean, meet mountains on their way, it rains in winter.

The highest temperature is during the transition period between the end of the dry season and the beginning of the wet season, when the average monthly temperature rises to 28 ... 30 ° C. Moreover, the average temperature is never below 20 ° C.

South America is part of the tropical climatic zone only in the southern hemisphere. The east and southeast of the Brazilian Highlands are in an area of ​​humid trade winds, where rainfall throughout the year brings tropical air currents from the Atlantic. Climbing the slopes of the mountains, the air leaves a large amount of moisture on the windward side. In terms of precipitation and humidification, this climate is close to the climate of the Amazon lowland, but is characterized by more significant temperature differences between the hottest and coldest months.

In the inner parts of the continent within the tropical zone (Gran Chaco Plain), the climate is arid, with a maximum summer precipitation and a sharply expressed dry winter. In terms of the precipitation regime, it is close to the subequatorial one, but differs from it in sharp jumps in temperature, especially in winter, in lower annual precipitation amounts and insufficient moisture.

Pacific coast between 5 and 30 ° S characterized by a climate of coastal deserts and semi-deserts. This climate is most pronounced in the Atacama Desert, which is under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific Maximum and temperature inversions created by the constant influx of relatively cold air from high latitudes and cold waters of the powerful Peruvian Current. At a relative humidity of up to 80%, very little precipitation falls - in some places only a few millimeters per year. Some compensation for the almost complete absence of rain is the abundant dew that falls on the coast in winter. Even the hottest months rarely exceed 20 ° C, and seasonal amplitudes are small.

South of 30 ° S South America is part of the subtropical climatic zone.

The southeast of the mainland (the southern edge of the Brazilian Highlands, the basin of lower Uruguay, the interfluve of the Parana and Uruguay, the eastern part of Pampa) is characterized by a uniformly humid subtropical climate. In summer, northeastern winds of a monsoon nature bring moisture; in winter, precipitation falls due to cyclonic activity along the polar front. Summers in these areas are very hot, winters are mild, with average monthly temperatures of about 10 ° C, but temperature drops well below 0 ° C due to invasions of relatively cold air masses from the south.

The inland regions of the subtropical belt (Western Pampa) are characterized by an arid subtropical climate. Moisture from the Atlantic Ocean gets there a little, and precipitation (no more than 500 mm per year), falling in summer, is mainly of convective origin. Throughout the year, there are sharp fluctuations in temperature and frequent decreases in winter below 0 ° C at average monthly temperatures of 10 ° C.

On the Pacific coast from 30 to 37 ° S lat. the climate is subtropical, with dry summers. Under the influence of the eastern periphery of the Pacific maximum, the summer there is almost rainless and cool (especially on the coast itself). Winters are mild and rainy. Seasonal temperature amplitudes are insignificant.

The temperate zone (south of 40 ° S) is the narrowest part of South America. Patagonia is the center of the formation of the continental air of temperate latitudes. Precipitation in these latitudes is brought by westerly winds, the way of which is blocked by the Andes to Patagonia, therefore their number does not exceed 250-300 mm. In winter, there are severe colds due to the penetration of cold air from the south. Frosts in exceptional cases reach -30 - -35 ° C, but the average monthly temperatures are positive.

In the extreme southwest of the mainland and on the coastal islands, the climate is moderately warm, oceanic. This entire area is under the influence of intense cyclonic activity and the influx of oceanic air from temperate latitudes. On the western slopes of the Andes, rainfall is particularly high in winter. In summer, it rains less, but cloudy cloudy weather prevails. Annual precipitation amounts everywhere exceed 2000 mm. The differences in temperatures between summer and winter months are small.

The climatic features of the Earth are mainly determined by the amount of incoming solar radiation on its surface, by the peculiarities of atmospheric circulation. The amount of solar radiation entering the Earth depends on the geographical latitude.

Solar radiation

Solar radiation - the whole set solar radiation coming to the surface of the Earth. In addition to the visible sunlight, it includes invisible ultraviolet and infrared radiation... In the atmosphere, solar radiation is partially absorbed and partially scattered by clouds. Distinguish between direct and diffuse solar radiation. Direct solar radiation- solar radiation reaching the earth's surface in the form of parallel rays emanating directly from the sun. Scattered solar radiation- a part of direct solar radiation scattered by gas molecules coming to the earth's surface from the entire firmament. On cloudy days, diffuse radiation is the only source of energy in the surface layers of the atmosphere. Total solar radiation includes direct and diffuse solar radiation and reaches the surface of the Earth.

Solar radiation is the most important source of energy for atmospheric processes - the formation of weather and climate, a source of life on Earth. Under the influence of solar radiation, the earth's surface heats up, and from it - the atmosphere, moisture evaporates, and the water cycle in nature takes place.

The earth's surface, absorbing solar radiation (absorbed radiation), heats up and itself radiates heat into the atmosphere. The radiation absorbed by the earth's surface is spent on heating the soil, air, and water. The lower layers of the atmosphere to a large extent retard the terrestrial radiation. The main part of the radiation entering the earth's surface is absorbed by arable land (up to 90%), coniferous forest (up to 80%). Some of the solar radiation is reflected from the surface (reflected radiation). Freshly fallen snow, the surface of reservoirs, and a sandy desert have the highest reflectivity.

The distribution of solar radiation on the Earth is zonal. It decreases from the equator to the poles in accordance with the decrease in the angle of incidence sun rays to the earth's surface. The influx of solar radiation to the Earth's surface is also influenced by cloudiness and transparency of the atmosphere.

The continents, in comparison with the oceans, receive more solar radiation due to less (15-30%) cloud cover over them. In the Northern Hemisphere, where most of the Earth is occupied by continents, the total radiation is higher than in the Southern Oceanic Hemisphere. In Antarctica, where fresh air and high transparency of the atmosphere, a large amount of direct solar radiation comes in. However, due to the high reflectivity of the Antarctic surface, the air temperature is negative.

Heat zones

Depending on the amount of solar radiation entering the Earth's surface, there are 7 heat zones on the globe: hot, two moderate, two cold and two zones of eternal frost. Isotherms are the boundaries of the thermal zones. The hot belt from the north and south is limited by the average annual isotherms of +20 ° С (Fig. 9). Two temperate zones to the north and south of the hot zone are bounded from the equator by the average annual isotherm of +20 ° С, and from the side of high latitudes by the isotherm of + 10 ° С (the average air temperature of the warmest months - July in the Northern and January in the Southern hemispheres) ... The northern border coincides approximately with the border of forest distribution. Two cold zones to the north and south of the temperate zone in the Northern and Southern Hemispheres lie between the isotherms of + 10 ° С and 0 ° С of the warmest month. Two zones of eternal frost are limited by the 0 ° C isotherm of the warmest month from the cold zones. The kingdom of eternal snow and ice extends to the North and South Poles.

Air temperature distribution on Earth

Just like solar radiation, air temperature on Earth changes zonal from the equator to the poles. This pattern is clearly reflected in the distribution maps of isotherms of the warmest (July in the Northern Hemisphere, January in the Southern Hemisphere) and the coldest (January in the Northern Hemisphere, July in the Southern) months of the year. The "warmest" parallel is 10 ° N. NS. - thermal equator, where the average air temperature is +28 ° С. In summer, it shifts to 20 ° N. sh., in winter it approaches 5 ° n. NS. Most of the land is located in the Northern Hemisphere, respectively, the thermal equator is shifting to the north.

The air temperature at all parallels of the Northern Hemisphere is higher than at similar parallels in the Southern Hemisphere. The average annual temperature in the Northern Hemisphere is +15.2 ° C, and in the Southern Hemisphere - +13.2 ° C. This is due to the fact that in the Southern Hemisphere, the ocean occupies large area, and, therefore, more heat is spent on evaporation from its surface. In addition, the continent Antarctica, covered with eternal ice, has a cooling effect on the Southern Hemisphere.

The average annual temperature in the Arctic is 10-14 ° C higher than in Antarctica. This is largely due to the fact that Antarctica is covered by an extensive ice sheet, and most of the Arctic is represented by the Arctic Ocean, where warm currents from lower latitudes penetrate. For example, the Norwegian Current has a warming effect on the Arctic Ocean.

Equatorial and tropical latitudes are located on both sides of the equator, where the average temperature in winter and summer is very high. Over the oceans, the isotherms are evenly distributed, almost coinciding with the parallels. At the coasts of the continents, they are strongly curved. This is due to unequal heating of land and ocean. In addition, warm and cold currents and prevailing winds affect the air temperature off the coast. This is especially noticeable in the Northern Hemisphere, where most of the land is located. (Use an atlas to trace the distribution of temperatures across the heat zones.)

In the Southern Hemisphere, the temperature distribution is more even. However, there are hot areas here - the Kalahari Desert and Central Australia, where the January temperature rises above + 45 ° С, and July drops to -5 ° С. The pole of cold is Antarctica, where an absolute minimum of –91.2 ° С was recorded.

The annual variation in air temperature is determined by the course of solar radiation and depends on the geographical latitude. In temperate latitudes, the maximum air temperatures are observed in July in the Northern Hemisphere, in January - in the Southern Hemisphere, and minimum - in January in the Northern Hemisphere, in July - in the Southern Hemisphere. Above the ocean, the highs and lows are one month late. The annual amplitude of air temperatures increases with the latitude of the area. Highest values it reaches on the continents, much smaller - over the oceans, on the sea coasts. The smallest annual amplitude of air temperatures (2 ° C) is observed at equatorial latitudes. The largest (over 60 ° C) is in subarctic latitudes on the continents.

The amount of solar radiation entering the Earth depends on the angle of incidence of sunlight, cloudiness and transparency of the atmosphere. Just like solar radiation, the air temperature on Earth is distributed zonal and decreases from the equator to the poles.

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"City of Miass" - Plastics machine tools. Miass. Miass enterprises. City leadership. The modernity of Miass. Education. Administrative device. Interesting Facts... History of the city. Religion. National park"Taganay". Ilmensky reserve. Biryukov Ivan Alexandrovich. The situation in Russia. Orthodox Church of the Holy Trinity. Enterprises.

"Earth's crust and lithospheric plates" - Pangea disintegration. Hypotheses of the origin of continents and ocean depressions. Internal structure of the Earth. The ratio of land and ocean. The structure of the earth's crust. Plates of the lithosphere. Platforms and seismic belts. Lithospheric plates and their movement. Map of the structure of the earth's crust. Test questions.

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"Components of the Geographic Shell" - Consists of evaporation, condensation and precipitation. Geographic envelope. Geographic envelope components. Earth's crust Troposphere Stratosphere Hydrosphere Biosphere Anthroposphere (Noosphere). The water cycle in nature. Large and small water cycle in nature. The greatest thickness of the geographic envelope is close to 55 km.

Within the territory of the globe there are places where indicators of radiation pollution literally go off scale, so it is extremely dangerous for a person to be there.

Radiation is destructive for all life on earth, but at the same time humanity does not stop using nuclear power plants, develop bombs and so on. There are already several vivid examples in the world of what the careless use of this enormous power can lead to. Let's take a look at the places with the highest levels of radioactive background.

1. Ramsar, Iran

The city in northern Iran has the most high level natural background radiation on Earth. Experiments have determined values ​​of 25 mSv. per year at a rate of 1-10 millisieverts.

2. Sellafield, UK

This is not a city, but atomic complex used to produce weapons-grade plutonium for atomic bombs... It was founded in 1940, and 17 years later there was a fire that triggered the release of plutonium. This terrible tragedy claimed the lives of many people who later died from cancer for a long time.

3. Church Rock, New Mexico

In this city, there is a uranium enrichment plant, where a serious accident occurred, as a result of which more than 1,000 tons of solid radioactive waste and 352,000 m3 of acidic radioactive waste solution fell into the Puerco River. All this led to the fact that the level of radiation increased greatly: the indicators are 7 thousand times higher than the norm.

4. Coast of Somalia

Radiation in this place appeared quite unexpectedly, and the responsibility for the terrible consequences lies with European companies located in Switzerland and Italy. Their leadership took advantage of the unstable situation in the republic and brazenly dumped radioactive waste on the coast of Somalia. As a result, innocent people suffered.

5. Los Barrios, Spain

At the Acherinox scrap metal recycling plant, a cesium-137 source was melted due to an error in control devices, which led to the release of a radioactive cloud with a radiation level that exceeded normal levels by 1000 times. Over time, the pollution spread to Germany, France, Italy and other countries.

6. Denver, America

Studies have shown that in comparison with other regions, Denver itself has a high level of radiation. There is an assumption: the whole point is that the city is at an altitude of one mile above sea level, and in such regions the atmospheric background is thinner, which means that the protection from the radiation of the sun's rays is not so strong. In addition, Denver has large deposits uranium.

7. Guarapari, Brazil

Brazil's beautiful beaches can be hazardous to health, especially in Guarapari, where the natural radioactive element monazite is eroded in the sand. Compared to the prescribed norm of 10 mSv, the indicators for measuring sand turned out to be much higher - 175 mSv.

8. Arkarula, Australia

For more than one hundred years, the underground sources of Paralana, which flow through the rocks rich in uranium, have been spreading radiation. Research has shown that these hot springs carry radon and uranium to the surface of the earth. It is not clear when the situation will change.

9. Washington, America

The Hanford Complex is a nuclear facility and was founded in 1943 by the American government. Its main task was to generate nuclear energy for the manufacture of weapons. On the this moment it was taken out of service, but radiation continues to emanate from it, and this will remain for a long time.

10. Karunagappalli, India

In the Indian state of Kerala, in Kollam County, there is a municipality of Karunagappalli, where mining is carried out rare metals, and some of them, for example, monazite, as a result of erosion have become like sand. Because of this, in some places on the beaches, the radiation level reaches 70 mSv / year.

11. Goias, Brazil

In 1987, there was a deplorable incident in the state of Goias, located in the central-western region of Brazil. Scrap collectors decided to take a radiation therapy machine from a local abandoned hospital. Because of it, the entire region was in danger, since unprotected contact with the device led to the spread of radiation.

12. Scarborough, Canada

Since 1940, the residential area in Scarborough has been radioactive, and this site is called McClure. The contamination was provoked by radium extracted from the metal, which was planned to be used for experiments.

13. New Jersey, America

Burlington County is home to McGwire Air Force Base, which has been incorporated by the Conservation Agency environment to the list of the most polluted air bases in America. In this place, operations were carried out to clean up the territory, but elevated levels radiation is still recorded here.

14. Bank of the Irtysh River, Kazakhstan

In times cold war even on the territory of the USSR, the Semipalatinsk test site was created, where tests were carried out nuclear weapons... Here, 468 tests were carried out, the consequences of which were reflected in the inhabitants of the surrounding area. Data show that approximately 200,000 people were affected.

15. Paris, France

Even one of the most famous and beautiful European capitals has a place contaminated with radiation. Large values The radioactive background was found in Fort D "Obervillers. The thing is that there are 61 tanks with cesium and radium, and the territory itself, 60 m3, is contaminated.

16. Fukushima, Japan

In March 2011, a terrible nuclear disaster struck at a nuclear power plant in Japan. As a result of the accident, the area around the station became desert-like, as approximately 165,000 local residents fled their homes. The place was recognized as an exclusion zone.

17. Siberia, Russia

This place is home to one of the largest chemical plants in the world. It generates up to 125 thousand tons of solid waste, which pollute the groundwater in the surrounding areas. In addition, experiments have shown that precipitation spreads radiation to wildlife, from which animals suffer.

18. Yangjiang, China

In Yangjiang County, bricks and clay were used to build houses, but apparently no one thought or knew that this construction material not suitable for building houses. This is due to the fact that sand is supplied to the region from parts of the hills, which contain a large amount of monazite - a mineral that decomposes into radium, anemones and radon. It turns out that people are constantly exposed to radiation, so the rate of cancer is very high.

19. Mailuu-Suu, Kyrgyzstan

This is one of the most polluted places in the world, and the whole point is not in nuclear power, but in the extensive mining and processing of uranium, as a result of which about 1.96 million m3 of radioactive waste is released.

20. Simi Valley, California

IN small town The state of California is home to a NASA field laboratory called Santa Susanna. Over the years of its existence, there have been many problems associated with ten nuclear reactors low power, which led to the release of radioactive metals. Now in this place, operations are being carried out aimed at cleaning the territory.

21. Ozersk, Russia

IN Chelyabinsk region there is a production association "Mayak", which was built in 1948. The enterprise is engaged in the production of nuclear weapons components, isotopes, storage and regeneration of spent nuclear fuel. There have been several accidents here leading to pollution drinking water, and this has increased the number of chronic diseases among local residents.

22. Chernobyl, Ukraine

The catastrophe that occurred in 1986 affected not only the inhabitants of Ukraine, but also other countries. Statistics have shown that the incidence of chronic and oncological diseases has increased significantly. Surprisingly, it was officially recognized that only 56 people died from the accident.