Assignment 4 Flashcards
Main sink of atmospheric CO2 on geological time scales?
Weathering of rocks.
Process that helps to stabilize surface temperatures on geological time scales?
Weathering rate increases with temperature, creates negative feedback.
Two reasons why CO2 concentration was so high during Cretaceous?
More volcanism; less mountain building.
What initiated global cooling that started about 50 million years ago?
India colliding into Asia, forming Himalayan mountains.
Triggers the periodic ice ages experienced during the last one million years?
Changes in Earth’s orbital parameters.
Most likely explanation for a lowering of ocean salinity around Greenland?
Addition of fresh water from melting Greenland ice.
Explanation for warmer Medieval Period about 1,000 years ago?
Stronger sun; stronger thermohaline circulation; lack of volcanoes.
What does the mid-Pliocene tell us that is relevant to climate change?
What the equilibrium climate will be with current amount of CO2.
Why did temperatures warm quickly during Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum?
Sudden and large release of organic carbon.
How was the Eemian different from current day Earth and its climate?
Greenland ice sheet smaller, sea level higher.
What effect does prolonged summer heart have on soils?
Increased carbon release due to higher decomposition rates.
How would you statistically attempt to explain the increase in record hot days as a result of global warming?
Compare area under the warm end tails of the temperature distributions.
Most likely cause of a prolonged heat wave?
Stationary or blocking high-pressure pattern in atmosphere.
