Concept Map Tectonic Processes Regulate Atmosphere

Volcanoes
Pinatubo eruption in June 1991 increased aerosol concentration by 2
orders of magnitude.
Over the following decade caused a global mean temperature drop of
0.12oC.
This volcanic SO2 aerosol has a bigger atmospheric impact the higher the
release point so influenced by tectonic lifting that increases or decreases
height of volcanoes.
Such eruptions result in warmer winters and cooler summers for up to 3
years.
Water droplets increase the SO2 to H2SO2 conversion which in turn
increases the sulphate aerosol production.
Such large, sudden eruptions effect global air circulation patterns to
change the movement of cyclones and cloud formation so subsequently
effects where and how much precipitation occurs.
Volcanoes release 130 million tonnes of CO2 every year into the
atmosphere.
HCl released forms acid rain that is toxic to vegetation so destroys flora
and thus less CO2 absorbed so increases greenhouse effect and the
resulting warming of the Earths atmosphere.
When a lava flow and ocean make contact a white plume called a lava
haze forms that may contain significant HCl up to 10-15ppm. This causes
very local areas of vegetation to die to thus lower CO2 absorption.

Orographic Processes
Solar heating on mountain slopes is ideal for creation of thermal updrafts
that catalyse the formation of thunderstorms heavy precipitation and
strong winds erosion.
On a plateau, solar heating forces air to circulate in such a fashion that
hinders cloud formation and results in significantly less precipitation.
An example of this phenomenon is where the descending air reduces
clouds forming on the Mesopotamian plateau.
Windward side of mountains = more precipitation.
On reaching a slope, air rises, cools and expands, humidity increases and
water vapour condenses. Therefore mountainous terrain will induce higher
rainfall.
Continental compression forms local topographical minima that are
excellent candidates for a lake forming. Lake regulates the water cycle,
providing source of water evaporation and collection of rainfall.
Active tectonic processes extend a lakes life and tectonic lifting controls
its evolution into a river and vice versa.
Additional erosion controls the expansion of a lake or its drying up.
Growth in topography will cause enhanced erosion rates like an elevated
mountain range.

 The forces fuelling the deformation and uplifting of Earths crust by

continental plates crumbling and thickening are referred to as orogeny.
Orogen simply refers to a belt in the crust for mountain formation.
Very high amount of orogeny occurred leading to the formation of
Gondwana.
Lifting on the scale of 2mm a year but occurs over millions of years.