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Causes of natural climate variation (Sporadic events (Ocean currents…
Causes of natural climate variation
Sporadic events
Bolide
when a planet
gets hit by space debris (comets or asteroids)
similar consequences to larger volcanic eruptions
e.g. bolide impact Mexico 6.6 million years
Ocean currents
range in continent position (due to super cycle) alters currents changes in any of these variables will change O.C and alter climate
results of the combination of solar input, orbital spin, temperature and salinity differences
Volcanic
can cause
cooling
large amounts of ash and sulfate aeroscis
decrease temperature
e.g. Mount Pinatubo decreased temp. by 0.5 degrees
warming
volume of CO2 increasing
increased greenhouse warming
Albedo
sporadic tectonic movement
land moves toward poles
increase global albedo
how much of the sunlight is reflected off the earths surface
greatest albedo = snow and ice areas
global cooling
Cyclic events
Oscillations
swing climate patterns over different time frames
North Atlantic oscillation
a cycle of 10 years
El-Nino (southern oscillation)
occurs 3 to 8 years
Pacific decadal oscillation
occurs 20 to 30 years
Sunspots
are cooler planet sized patched on the sun's surface
intense magnetic activity
produce solar flares and hot gas
11 years between peak numbers
results
warmer years
low numbers
cooler years
Plate tectonic supercycle
continents moving together, caused by ice house climate e.g. page 160
earth's inner heat moves plates, continents spread and come closer
cycle repeats 300 million years
Milankaitch
tilt
orbit change/ circulas ellipse
precession