Mesozoic Climate Flashcards
1
Q
Q: How was the climate different during the Mesozoic compared to today?
A
A: It was much warmer, with average temperatures 15°C higher and no glaciers or snow in polar regions.
2
Q
Q: What evidence supports warmer Mesozoic climates?
A
A: Fossil plants, such as those discovered by Robert Falcon Scott in Antarctica.
3
Q
Q: Why was Antarctica warmer during the Mesozoic?
A
A: Altered ocean circulation transported warm water from the equator to polar regions.
4
Q
Q: How do ocean currents affect global temperatures?
A
A: They distribute heat, such as the Gulf Stream warming Europe compared to similar latitudes in North America.
