Natural Causes of Climate change

• Sun Spots : (sun spots are on the face of the sun).

  More sun spots mean more heat is given off.

  Less sun spots mean less heat is given off.
• Sun Spot - Case Study Detail ( The “Little Ice Age“ )

  • In the last 1,000 years, there have been times when there have been much fewer sun spots.
  • This resulted in a very cold period called the “Little Ice age“. It lasted from 1303 - 1860.
  • During the time, the winters were so cold that people could go ice skating on the frozen river Thames and hold “frost fairs” on the ice.
• Volcanic Activity:

  1. Violent volcanic eruptions blast huge quantities of ash, gases and liquids into the atmosphere. Fine ash particles can travel around the whole world in the weeks and months after the eruptions.
  2. Volcanic ash can block sunlight from reaching the Earth’s surface. This can reduce the temperatures on the surface and is usually short term until the ash settles.
  3. Fine droplets of sulphur dioxide are turned into sulphuric acid and act like tiny mirrors reflecting radiation from the sun. This can last for longer and affects the climate for years.
• Volcanic Activity - Case Study Detail ( Mount Tambora 1815)

  • This was the most powerful eruption in the world for over 1,600 years.
  • Ash and sulphuric acid caused the average global temperatures to fall by 0.4 degrees - 0.7 degrees.
  • It became known as the year with no summer.
  • Across the world, harvests failed causing major food shortages in Europe and North America.
  • Food prices rose and there were many riots because of it.
  • It was the worst famine in Europe and resulted in around 200,000 deaths.