Climate Change Flashcards
When was the Quaternary period and how long was it
2.6 million years ago to today
What is a glacial period
Period where ice covers part of Europe and North America
(‘spikes’ on graph)
What is a interglacial period
Periods in between glacial periods that are warmer
Effects of climate change
Glaciers and ice caps shrinking
Arctic sea ice less extensive
Low lying islands are under threat of sea-level rising
(sea levels rising)
Evidence of climate change
Ice cores
Study oxygen in ocean sediment or water molecules in ice
Recent evidence of climate change
Shrinking glaciers and melting
Seasonal changes
Rising sea level
Natural Causes of climate change
Changes in earth’s orbit
Variation in heat output from sun
Volcanic activity
The 3 Milankovitch cycles
Eccentricity
Axial Tilt
Precession
