Restless Earth Key Words Flashcards
Atmosphere
The layer of gases that surrounds the Earth.
Eruption Theory
The theory that volcanic eruptions can affect the earths climate.
Sunspots
Areas of increased activity on the surface of the sun that affect the Earth’s Climate.
Orbital Theory
Variations in the Earth’s orbit and tilt of it’s axis that affect it’s climate.
The Little Ice Age
A period of cool climate from the 1300s to the 1800s ad.
Medieval Warming Period
A period of warm climate from 900 to 1200 ad.
Solar Radiation
Energy from the sun.
Carbon Dioxide
A greenhouse gas emitted by the burning of fossil fuels e.g. oil and coal to create electricity.
Methane
A greenhouse gas emitted by livestock farming and rice cultivation.
Greenhouse Effect
The trapping of heat in the Earth’s atmosphere by greenhouse gases.
Enhanced Greenhouse
The stronger greenhouse effect caused by greenhouse gas emissions from human activities.
Invasive Species
Species that move into an area that are not native to it e.g. the water fern in the UK.
Polar Front
the boundary between cold polar air to the north and warm tropical air to the south.
North Atlantic Drift
A warm ocean current that brings heat to the UK.
Cyclone
A powerful tropical storm that may increase in strength and frequency due to climate change.
