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14.3 – Climatic Changes

14.3 – Climatic Changes. Ice Age. Periods of extensive glacial coverage Lots of ice sheets Average global temperature decreased by about 5°C Most recent ice age ended about 10,000 years ago Right now we are experiencing a warm period Interglacial intervals.  Short-Term Climatic Changes.

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14.3 – Climatic Changes

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  1. 14.3 – Climatic Changes

  2. Ice Age • Periods of extensive glacial coverage • Lots of ice sheets • Average global temperature decreased by about 5°C • Most recent ice age ended about 10,000 years ago • Right now we are experiencing a warm period • Interglacial intervals

  3.  Short-Term Climatic Changes • Seasons = short-term periods of climatic change caused by regular variations in daylight, temperature and weather patterns • Result from changes in the amount of solar radiation received • When the North pole points towards the sun, the Northern Hemisphere experiences summer • When it points away, it is winter

  4. El Niño • Band of warm ocean temperatures that develops off the coast of South America • High-pressure system and weak trade winds allow warm water to move towards South America • Causes warmer and wetter conditions

  5. Natural causes for climatic changes • Solar Activity • E.W. Maunder discovered that changes in Earth’s climate coincided with cycles of low sunspot activity • Little Ice Ages • Europe experienced bitterly cold winters and below-normal temperatures all year long

  6. Natural causes for climatic changes • Earth’s orbit = Elliptical orbit • When Earth is closer to sun, temperatures are warmer than normal • When orbit is farther away from sun, temperatures are below normal

  7. Natural causes for climatic changes • Earth’s tilt = the angle of the tilt of Earth’s axis is 23.5° • Change in tilt affects differences in seasons • Scientists hypothesize that changes in the angle can cause ice sheets to form near the poles

  8. Earth’s wobble • Every 26,000 years or so, the Earth wobbles as it spins on its axis • Currently axis points towards the North Star • Determines seasons • In about 13,000 years, scientists believe the axis will point towards Vega and our seasons will flip-flop

  9. Volcanic activity • Particles released during volcanic eruptions trigger climate changes • Dust and ash clog the atmosphere and block solar radiation • High volcanic activity = cool climatic periods

  10. In-Class Assignment/Homework • 14.3 WKT

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