Tree Rings and Ice Cores

Front

What is the method used to see tree rings?

Back

Cutting a horizontal cross-section of a tree.

Front

What happens to tree growth during a summer drought?

Back

The tree will grow slower and the light bands will be small.

Front

What type of analysis provides clues about changes in atmospheric gases and Earth's climate?

Back

Ice core analysis.

Front

True or False: A cold year is indicated in a varve by a thick deposit of sediment.

Back

False.

Front

What can ice cores tell us about the environment?

Back

Ice cores can determine how the environment has changed, create a record of the local climate for thousands of years, and show how concentrations of atmospheric gases have changed.

Front

What are tree rings?

Back

Tree rings are layers of growth in a tree that can indicate age and environmental conditions.

Front

What do light bands in tree rings represent?

Back

Light bands represent periods of faster growth, typically during wet seasons.

Front

What do dark bands in tree rings indicate?

Back

Dark bands indicate slower growth, often due to drought or unfavorable conditions.

Front

How can ice cores be used in climate studies?

Back

Ice cores can provide historical data on temperature, atmospheric composition, and greenhouse gas concentrations.

Front

What is a varve?

Back

A varve is a pair of sedimentary layers that represent one year of deposition, often used in dating and climate studies.