Sea level change

• What is the main focus of the inter-governmental panel on climate change?


  Climate change causes and effects
• What is the significance of astronomical forcing in climate change?

  It affects Earth's climate over long timescales
• What gases are primarily responsible for the greenhouse effect?

  Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide
• How much has atmospheric carbon dioxide increased in the last 100 years?

  About 30%
• What is the relationship between human activity and greenhouse gas concentrations?

  Human activity increases greenhouse gas levels
• What is the greenhouse effect?

  Trapping of heat by atmospheric gases
• What temperature would the Earth average without the greenhouse effect?

  -15°C
• What happens to global temperatures when ice melts at the end of an Ice Age?

  Global temperatures rise and sea levels increase
• What are rias?

  Drowned river valleys partially submerged
• How are fjords formed?

  By the submergence of glacial valleys
• What is the difference between rias and fjords?

  Rias are drowned river valleys; fjords are glacial valleys
• What processes contribute to the formation of fjords?

  Plucking and abrasion by glaciers
• What is the typical depth of fjords?

  Over 1000m
• What happens to fjords during the Flandrian Transgression?

  They are filled with water as sea levels rise
• How do hanging valleys form in fjords?

  From glacial erosion at higher altitudes
• What is the role of freeze-thaw weathering in fjord formation?

  It weakens valley sides for mass movement
• What is the typical shape of fjords?

  U-shaped valleys
• What is the significance of the threshold in fjords?

  It marks the glacier's furthest advance
• How do rias and fjords differ in their planforms?

  Rias have a dendritic pattern; fjords are straighter
• What is the impact of sea level changes on coastal landforms?

  They shape and modify coastal features
• What are the characteristics of rias?

  Gently sloping sides and variable depth
• How do rivers behave during an Ice Age?

  They erode deep valleys due to lowered sea levels
• What is the effect of glacial retreat on fjords?

  It can lead to infilling with sediments
• What is the significance of the Flandrian transgression?

  It caused significant sea level rise
• Where can fjords be found?

  Norway, Scotland, and New Zealand
• What is the role of vegetation in carbon dioxide processing?

  It helps absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• How do human activities contribute to climate change?

  By increasing greenhouse gas emissions
• What volcanic activity is known to have impacted climate change?

  Krakatoa, Tambora, Mount Pinatubo
• How does solar output affect climate change?

  It can cause variations in global temperatures
• What processes are involved in river erosion?

  Hydraulic action and abrasion
• What are the characteristics of Dalmatian coastlines?

  Parallel islands and sounds along the shore
• Where are fjords found in North America and South America?

  Parts of North America and south Chile
• How many fjords does New Zealand's South Island have?

  Fourteen fjords
• What caused high marine erosion rates in fjords during the Flandrian Transgression?

  Rising sea levels following the last ice age
• What has happened to some fjords on the west coast of South Island, New Zealand?

  They have experienced infilling with sediments
• What has increased significantly in recent decades in fjords?

  Volume of sediment from glaciers
• What are fjords described as?

  Submerged lowland areas that were glaciated
• How do fjords differ from gorges?

  Fjords are wider, shallower, and less branched
• What are drumlins?

  Low-relief features found in fjords
• What happens to glacial deposits as sea levels rise?

  They can become submerged