Milankovitch Cycles

Question 1

What are the three aspects of Milankovitch cycles?

Answer 1

Eccentricity, Tilt and Precession

Question 2

What is eccentricity? Period?

Answer 2

Eccentricity refers to changes in the shape of the Earth’s ornot around the sun. The Earth’s orbit is not a perfect circle but more of an ellipse and the degree of eccentricity varies over time. When there is higher eccentricity, there is a greater variation in distance between the Earth and Sun and a greater variation in energy it recieves from the sun. Eccentricity cycles occur roughly every 100,000 years.

Question 3

What is Tilt? Cycle?

Answer 3

The tilt of Earth’s axis varies between 22.2° and 24.5°. The greater the tilt angle is, the more solar energy the pole receives. Earth’s axis rotation is tilted relative to its orbit, causing seasonal variations. Cycle of about 41,000 years

Question 4

What is Precession? Cycle?

Answer 4

Precession refers to the gradual change in the orientation of the Earth’s axis of rotation. A gradual change, or “wobble”, in the orientation of Earth’s axis affects the relationship between Earth and eccentricity. Cycle occurs roughly every 26,000 years