Natural Processes of Variations in Climate

Question 1

What is the Greenhouse Effect

Answer 1

The process that occurs when energy from a planet’s host star goes through its atmosphere and heats the planet’s surface, but greenhouse gases in the atmosphere prevent some of the heat from returning directly to space, resulting in a warmer planet.

Question 2

What are the greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere

Answer 2

Water, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and ozone

Question 3

What are some causes of natural climate variation

Answer 3

• The Plate Tectonic Supercycle (PTSC)
• Massive volcanic eruptions
• Changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun
• Changes in ocean currents and ocean circulation