EQ 1

Question 1

Icehouse Climate

Answer 1

A global ice age

When large ice sheets present on earth

During this time the climate fluctuates between cooler glaciates, when ice advances, and interglacial, ice retreat

Question 2

Greenhouse Climate

Answer 2

Occurs when there are no continental glaciers on the planet, as a result of warming processes such as height levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere

Question 3

Current geological era

Answer 3

Cenozoic

Question 4

Current period

Answer 4

Quaternary Ice Age

Question 5

Quaternary Ice age

Answer 5

Started approximately 2.6 million years age and extends up to and including the present day

Divided into two epochs:

• Pleistocene
• Holocene

Question 6

Holocene

Answer 6

began 10,000 years ago and continues today

Question 7

Pleistocene

Answer 7

Wasn’t just a single ice age. Over the 2 million or so years during which it lasted, temperatures fluctuated enough to allow a number of ice advances and retreats

The extent to the ice advance during each glacial was different

There are fluctuations within each major glacial. These relatively short-lived pulses of ice advance are known as stadial, and warmer periods of retreat known as interstadials

Question 8

end of the Pleistocene epoch

Answer 8

The last glacial advance is known as the Loch Lomond Stadial, which occurred between 12,000 and 10,000 years ago

Question 9

Cryosphere

Answer 9

water is permanently frozen and stored as snow or ice

Question 10

Why is the cryosphere important

Answer 10

Drinking water

Glaciers are visible and sensitive barometers of climate change because they constantly grow/advance and shrink/retreat in response of changes in temperature and precipitation

Vital role in Earth’s climate. Snow and ice reflect heat from the sun - called the albedo effect which help regulate temperature on Earth

Question 11

Stadial/Interstadial

Answer 11

Relatively short-lived pulses of ice advance are known as stadial, and warmer periods of retreat known as interstadials.

Question 12

Describe the cause of the Loch Lomond Stadial

Answer 12

Ice sheets began retreating about 18,00 years ago, with rapid deglaciation by 15,000 years ago (late glacial interstadial) with similar temperatures as today leading to widespread distribution of deciduous woodlands across Europe. However, around 12,000 years ago the temperatures plunged downwards and by 11,500 years ago glacial conditions occurred with temperatures 6-7*C lower

Question 13

Time line order

Answer 13

Era, period, epoch