Textbook: Chapter 1 - An Evolving Earth 3 Flashcards
What was the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum?
A warming event 55 million years ago, caused by massive carbon release, that lasted for 100,000 years and influenced ocean and climate systems.
What is the Antarctic Circumpolar Current, and why is it important?
It’s a cold water current around Antarctica that helped end the greenhouse phase by promoting global cooling.
What are the “Icehouse” and “Greenhouse” phases?
Geological periods of cooling (Icehouse) and warming (Greenhouse) driven by changes in atmospheric carbon dioxide.
How did the Antarctic Circumpolar Current contribute to global cooling?
It isolated Antarctica with cold waters, creating a permanent ice cap and promoting the Icehouse phase.
What role did the Himalayas and Tibetan Plateau play in climate change?
They altered wind patterns, created monsoons in Asia, and contributed to global cooling.
How did the formation of the Isthmus of Panama impact global climate?
It separated the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, changing ocean currents and contributing to global cooling.
Fill-in-the-Blank
The ________________ occurred approximately 13 billion years ago, marking the beginning of the universe.
Big bang
Fill-in-the-Blank
Earth’s first atmosphere was primarily composed of ________________ and ________________.
hydrogen, helium
Which of the following best describes the Antarctic Circumpolar Current’s impact?
A. It raises global temperatures by warming the polar regions.
B. It prevents warm water from reaching Antarctica, cooling Earth.
C. It connects the Atlantic and
Pacific Oceans.
D. It caused the formation of the Himalayas.
B
What is continental drift?
A. The movement of tectonic plates over millions of years
B. The gradual separation of Earth’s atmospheric layers
C. The process of volcanic islands forming in the ocean
D. The warming of Earth due to greenhouse gases
A
The movement of India towards Asia, creating the Himalayas, resulted in:
A. Formation of the Antarctic ice sheet
B. Creation of the supercontinent Pangaea
C. Changes in monsoon patterns and regional climate
D. Increase in volcanic activity worldwide
C
