EQ1

Question 1

Greenhouse earth

Answer 1

When there are no continental glaciers on the planet

Question 2

Icehouse earth

Answer 2

A global ice age when large ice sheets are present on earth

Question 3

Glacials

Answer 3

Cold periods

Question 4

Interglacials

Answer 4

Warm periods

Question 5

How many ice ages has there been and what is the most recent

Answer 5

5

Quaternary ice age started 2.6 million years ago and extends to the present day

Question 6

What is an epoch

Answer 6

A subdivision of a geological period
For example, Pleistocene which lasted up until 12000 years ago and the Holocene which began 10000 years ago and continues today

Question 7

What is the Loch Lomond stadial

Answer 7

The last glacial advance of the Pleistocene epoch which marked its end between 12000 and 10000 years ago

Question 8

What was the Pleistocene epoch

Answer 8

The ice age

Question 9

What are stadials

Answer 9

The short lived pulses of ice advance

Question 10

Interstadials

Answer 10

The retreat of ice in a warmer period

Question 11

Gulf Stream

Answer 11

Redirection of Gulf Stream after north and South America collided forcing extra moisture north to the Arctic which fell as snow building up ice sheets

Question 12

Milankovitch theory

Answer 12

Obliquity cycle - tilt of the earth changing over 41000 year cycles.
Eccentricity cycle - shape of earths orbit changes over 100000 year cycles making earth closer or further from the sun.
Precession of the equinoxes + the earth wobbles as it spins on its axis changing severity of seasons

Question 13

Solar output variations

Answer 13

Increased sunspots means the sun is more active and gives off more energy. Vary over an 11 year cycle

Question 14

Volcanic emissions

Answer 14

Injection of large quantities of sulphur dioxide gas which remains in atmosphere for 3 years. Sulphate aerosols are formed which increase the reflection of radiation from the sun back into space, cooling the earth