4.2 Natural causes of Climate Change

Question 1

What are 3 natural causes of climate change?

Answer 1

➢ Changes in the Earth’s orbit
➢ Variations in heat output from the Sun
➢ Volcanic activity

Question 2

What is Eccentricity?

Answer 2

➢ This describes the path of the Earth as it orbits the Sun.

➢ The Earth’s orbit is not fixed - it changes from being almost circular to being mildly elliptical

Question 3

What is Axial tilt?

Answer 3

➢ The Earth spins on it axis, causing night and day

➢ Over a period of 41000 years the Earth’s axis moves back forth between two extremes

Question 4

What is precession?

Answer 4

➢ This describes a natural ‘wobble’ rather like a spinning top
➢ The Earth’s wobble accounts for certain regions in the world
➢ It is responsible for countries such as Norway experiencing very long days and very long nights at certain times of the year

Question 5

How does Solar output affect Climate change?

Answer 5

➢ A sunspot is a dark spot that appears from time to time on the surface of the Sun
➢ When sunspot output is at a maximum, the Sun gives off more heat
➢ When sunspot output is at a minimum the solar output is reduced. This can lead to lower temperatures