Natural Causes of Climate Change (OCR GCSE Geography B (Geography for Enquiring Minds)): Flashcards
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3 main natural causes of climate change
3 main natural causes of climate change
Milankovitch cycles, sun spot activity, volcanic eruptions
Milankovitch cycles (definition)
Milankovitch cycles (definition)
Changes in Earth's movement & position relative to the Sun
Eccentricity cycle & what it changes
Eccentricity cycle & what it changes
100,000 yrs; orbital shape (circular to elliptical)
Precession cycle & what it is
Precession cycle & what it is
23,000 yrs; wobble of Earth's axis (like a spinning top)
Obliquity cycle & tilt range
Obliquity cycle & tilt range
40,000 yrs; axial tilt varies between 21.5° and 24.5°
Current Earth's axial tilt
Current Earth's axial tilt
Approximately 23.5°
Sun spot cycle length
Sun spot cycle length
11-year cycle
What sun spots indicate despite appearing dark
What sun spots indicate despite appearing dark
Increased solar activity; Sun releases MORE energy overall
Effect of large volcanic eruptions on climate
Effect of large volcanic eruptions on climate
Short-term cooling (several yrs); ash/dust block solar radiation
Mount Pinatubo (1991) temperature impact
Mount Pinatubo (1991) temperature impact
Dropped global temps by approx. 0.5°C for about 2 years