Earth Science Mr. Barry. Ice Ages Ice Age: period of extensive glacial coverage, producing long-term...
Transcript of Earth Science Mr. Barry. Ice Ages Ice Age: period of extensive glacial coverage, producing long-term...
Changes in ClimateEarth Science
Mr. Barry
Ice AgesIce Age: period of
extensive glacial coverage, producing long-term climatic changes
Average global temperatures decrease by 5˚ C
Last Ice Age ended 10,000 years ago, covered northern USA plus parts of Europe and Asia
Short-Term ChangesSeasons: short-term
periods of climatic change caused by regular variations in daylight, temperature, and weather patterns
These changes are a result of the amount of solar radiation a location receives
Cause by tilting of the Earth as it revolves around the Sun
Short-Term ChangesEl Nino: warm ocean
current that develops off the western coast of South America that causes short-term climatic changes felt worldwide
Extended periods of rain cause warmer temperatures leading to heavier than usual rainfall and flooding in some areas
Natural ChangesClimate changes are
natural and have been occurring for many years
Solar Activity: sunspot cycles can cause warmer and colder temperatures on Earth
Earth’s Orbit: the Earth’s orbit goes from circular to elliptical over the course of a 100,000 year cycle
Natural ChangesEarth’s Wobble: over a
period of 26,000 years Earth wobbles as it rotates. This will eventually lead to a change in Earth’s seasons
Volcanic Activity: large amounts of ash get caught in the atmosphere, blocking the Sun and causing cooler than normal conditions
The Greenhouse EffectGreenhouse Effect:
natural heating of Earth’s surface by certain atmospheric gases, which helps keep Earth warm enough to sustain life
This is necessary for life to survive on Earth
Greenhouse Effect & Global WarmingAn increase in the Greenhouse Effect could
lead to temperatures in excess of what we could survive (470+˚ C)
The balance of the gases that cause the Greenhouse Effect (mainly CO2) is vital to regulating Earth’s temperature
Adding to the amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere can cause the overall average temperature of the Earth to rise
Global WarmingGlobal Warming: rise in global
temperatures due to increases in atmospheric CO2
Deforestation: removal of trees lowers the amount of organisms using CO2 to live, thus increasing the amount in the atmosphere
Burning Fossil Fuels: burning of fossil fuels releases CO2 as a waste product