How does albedo in the northern hemisphere differ between the two maps in Figure 3-7?

Question

BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

We start by restating the core question and listing the answer choices to set the stage for analysis.
Question: How does albedo in the northern hemisphere differ between the two maps in Figure 3-7?
Answer options:
- Option 1: There is very little difference due to the maritime effect.
- Option 2: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much sun reaches the northern hemisphere in winter vs. summer.
- Option 3: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much vegetation there is in winter vs. summer.
- Option 4: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much of the northern hemisphere is snow covered in winter vs. summer.

Analysis of each option:
Option 1: There is very little difference due to the maritime effect. This statement is incorrect because albedo differences across seasons in the northern hemisphere are dominated by surface state changes (snow versus bare ground or vegetation) rather than a uniform maritime influence. While coastal regions experience moderation, the overall seasonal contrast in snow cover drives large albedo changes, so claiming very little difference ignores the strong snow-ice albedo effect.

Option 2: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much sun reaches the northern hemisphere in winter vs. summer. While the Sun’s angle does change seasonally and affects insolation, albedo differences on maps are primarily about surface reflectivity changes (e.g., snow vs vegetation) rather than just sunlight amount. This option confuses insolation contrast with surface reflectivity differences, making it an incomplete or misleading explanation for albedo differences.

Option 3: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much vegetation there is in winter vs. summer. Vegetation changes do influence albedo, but in the northern high latitudes the snow cover in winter is the dominant factor driving albedo by large margins. Relying solely on vegetation variability understates the seasonal albedo contrast produced by snow cover, so this option is not the best explanation.

Option 4: There is significant difference as there is a difference between how much of the northern hemisphere is snow covered in winter vs. summer. This option directly points to the primary driver of albedo changes in the region: snow cover is bright and highly reflective in winter, whereas reduced snow and more bare ground or vegetation in summer lowers albedo. The contrast between snow-dominated winter maps and less-snow summer maps accounts for a substantial albedo difference, matching the expected interpretation of Figure 3-7.

In summary, while multiple factors can influence albedo, the most substantial seasonal shift in the northern hemisphere arises from the snow cover varying between winter and summer, making Option 4 the most accurate explanation among the choices.

How does albedo in the northern hemisphere differ between the two maps in Figure 3-7?

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