Physical Causes Of Climate Change

Question 1

Fully explain sunspots as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 1

• Sunspots are dark spots which appear on the sun which follow
an 11 year pattern

• If sun spot activity is higher then subsequently global temperatures will increase

• E.g. The Little Ice Age (1650–1850) has been linked to very low sunspot activity

Question 2

Fully explain volcanic eruptions as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 2

• Millions of tonnes of ash, dust and droplets of sulphur are put
into the atmosphere.

• This lowers global temperatures as in increases reflection
meaning less insolation reaches the Earth’s surface.

• E.g. The Mount Pinatubo eruption in 1991. This resulted in
average temperatures falling by 0.5 Degrees Celsius.

Question 3

Fully explain melting permafrost as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 3

• As places within the Arctic Circle are exposed to warmer temperatures, the permafrost found in these regions is
slowly melting.

• Melting permafrost releasing large quantities of the greenhouse gas methane.

• This contributes to the enhanced greenhouse effect and raises temperatures.

Question 4

Fully explain ocean currents as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 4

• Retreating ice caps release additional fresh water leading to changes in oceanic circulation.

• These changes affect the climate of the land that they flow past.

• E.g., the last ice age was caused by the North Atlantic Drift altering
its course.

Question 5

Fully explain the earths tilt as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 5

• Every 41,000 years, there is a change in the tilt of the Earth’s axis.

• A greater tilt means more/less sunlight in polar regions depending on the time of year

Question 6

Fully explain stretch of the earths orbit as a physical cause of climate change

Answer 6

• Over a 97,000-year cycle, the Earth’s orbit
stretches

• The temperatures drop when the Earth is further from the sun