Proxy data Flashcards
1
Q
What are historical written records and how does it determine earth’s conditions in the past
A
- newspapers , diary entries , ships logs
- gives us actual evidence of conditions in the past
2
Q
What are tree rings and how does it determine earth’s conditions in the past
A
- trees grow rings per year - the depth and width changes
- thinner and darker = colder and dryer years
- thicker and lighter = warmer and wetter
3
Q
What are ice cores and how does it determine earth’s conditions in the past
A
- ice builds up in layers annually
- thicker and lighter = more precipitation and warmer weather
- thinner and darker = less precipitation and colder conditions
- oxygen isotope analysis - change in the ratio of 016 : 018
4
Q
What are the limitations of proxy data
A
- subjective
- doesn’t go back very far
- biased
5
Q
What methods do we use today
A
- weather stations
- weather balloon
- satellites
6
Q
How do we collect atmospheric data
A
- % of GHG’s
- temp - thermometer
- pressure - borometer
7
Q
How do we collect data on land
A
- temp - thermometer
8
Q
How do we collect data from oceans
A
- temp - thermometer
- sea levels
- salinity
9
Q
How do we collect data from space
A
- cloud cover
- number of storms
-colour of oceans
10
Q
Pros of modern methods
A
- more advanced
- more ways of collecting more data
11
Q
Cons of modern methods
A
- only a short history
- expensive
12
Q
Pros of proxy methods
A
- they’ve been used for longer so more data to compare
13
Q
Cons of proxy methods
A
- can be subjective and biased
- there are limitations to collecting data as not all places have the right things
