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Long-Term and Short-Term Changes in Climate. The Earth is 4.54 billion years old In it’s history, there have been many natural variations to it’s climate These change have occurred due to changes in how energy is absorbed and trapped by the Earth. For example…. Ice Ages - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
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Long-Term and Short-Term Changes in Climate
•The Earth is 4.54 billion years old
•In it’s history, there have been many natural variations to it’s climate
•These change have occurred due to changes in how energy is absorbed and trapped by the Earth
For example…•Ice Ages
▫a period in Earth’s history where the Earth is colder and much of the planet is covered in ice
Long-Term Changes are due to:Continental Drift•According to plate tectonics, all of the continents have been moving and are continuing to shift their position on the Earth’s surface
•How it impacts climate?▫Changes ocean currents and wind
patterns▫Changes how land masses are
distributed which reduces the effect of local bodies of water on climate
▫Creates mountains which affect climate
Video
Cycles in Climate•Long term cycles (over tens and hundreds of thousands of years) occur alternating between ice ages and warmer interglacial periods
•Theories on why the climate changes:▫Shape of the orbit changes over time▫Earth’s tilt changes and wobbles
Short-Term Changes are caused by:Volcanic Eruptions•When an eruption occurs, rocks, dust and
gas are shot high into the atmosphere•These particles reflect the suns rays and
lower the energy transmitted to the Earth
Changing Ocean Currents•El Nino – a recurring change in the Pacific
winds and ocean currents that brings warm, moist air and water toward South America instead of Africa
Changes in the Sun’s Radiation•If the amount of radiation from the Sun drops, the Earth receives less energy and cools
•Scientist’s are constantly monitoring the Sun’s energy output
Homework•Pg 353 # 2, 4, 5, 7