Climate change and glaciation

• When was the last epoch where there have been major periods of ice activity?

  The Pleistocene epoch
• What are cold periods and warm periods in the Earth's temperature called?

  Glacials (cold periods),and interglacials (warm periods)
• What is one long term factor leading to climate change and glaciation? (MC)

  Milankovitch cycles - Changes in the Earth's axis and orbit which determines the amount of solar radiation on Earth, leading to both glacial and interglacial periods
• How long are each three Milankovitch cycles?

  21,000 years, 41,000 years, and 100,000 years
• What occurs in the 100,000 year Milankovitch cycle?

  The Earth's orbit stretches from nearly circular to eliptical and back, with glacials occuring during the former and interglacials occuring during the latter
• What occurs in the 41,000 year Milankovitch cycle?

  Earth's axis completes a full tilt with summers being hotter and winters being colder when the tilt increases
• What occurs in the 21,000 year Milankovitch cycle?

  Earth's axis rotates in a circular movement
• What is short long term factor leading to climate change and glaciation? (SS)

  Sun spots - These emit variable amounts of solar radiation, and therefore cause small changes in the Earth's temperature
• What is one short term factor leading to climate change and glaciation? (VE)

  Volcanic eruptions - These prdouce thick gases, and when they rise high enough into the atmosphere solar radiation will be reflected back into space, meaning the Earth's temperature will cool