Science Homework Help

Question

Figure 1 is in the insert.

Figure 1 shows annual and 5-year moving average rainfall data for two measuring

stations in South Africa: Royal Observatory and Dwarsberg. Analyse the data shown in Figure 1.

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AO3

Both graphs show substantial fluctuation in terms of annual rainfall

data and the moving 5-year average. The Royal Observatory has a

range from 350 to around 950 – a range of 600 mm. In 2009–2011 that

range and variation is strongly exemplified. The range is much higher

for the Dwarsberg station. Here the range is from 1800 to 4500 – a

range of 2700 mm.

Rainfall at the Dwarsberg Observatory is generally much higher than

the Royal Observatory. The lowest rainfall at Dwarsberg appears to be

just under 2000 mm in 2014, whereas the highest rainfall at the Royal

Observatory is around 950 mm in 2009. This is a difference of over

1000 mm. Similarly peak rainfall is around 4500 at Dwarsberg. This is

over 3500 mm higher than the peak at the Royal Observatory.

In relative terms, the peaks and troughs are in both locations. So whilst

the figures are very different, both locations do appear to show similar

wet and drier periods. An exception occurs around 2003 to 2009. The

relative variation on the 5-year moving average is narrowed.

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