Long-Term Climate Factors

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Latitude Noun

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[lat-i-tood]

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Latitude

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The angular distance of a place north or south of the Earth's equator, a key factor in determining climate.

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Example: This diagram shows Earth with horizontal lines called lines of latitude, which measure distance north or south of the Equator (0°).

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Altitude Noun

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[al-ti-tood]

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Altitude

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The height of an object or point in relation to sea level, which causes temperatures to decrease as it increases.

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Example: This diagram shows that as altitude (height above sea level) increases, like going up a mountain, the air becomes less dense, causing atmospheric pressure to decrease.

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Biome Noun

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[by-ohm]

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Biome

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A large, naturally occurring community of flora and fauna occupying a major habitat, determined by the regional climate.

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Example: This image shows nine examples of different biomes, such as desert, rainforest, and tundra, which are large regions defined by their specific climate and life.

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Proxy data Noun

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[prok-see day-tuh]

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Proxy data

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Indirect evidence preserved in nature that allows scientists to reconstruct past climate conditions, such as ancient temperatures.

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Example: This graph shows how scientists use proxy data (like from tree rings or ice) to figure out Earth's temperature long ago, before we had thermometers.

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Oxygen Isotope Noun

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[ok-si-jen ahy-suh-tohp]

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Oxygen Isotope

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Forms of oxygen with different masses, whose ratios in materials like shells help determine past temperatures and ice volume.

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Example: In cold climates, more 'light water' (with light oxygen-16) is trapped in ice, leaving the ocean with more 'heavy water' (oxygen-18).

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Glacial period Noun

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[gley-shuhl peer-ee-uhd]

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Glacial period

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An interval of time within an ice age marked by colder temperatures and the advance of glaciers and ice sheets.

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Example: This graph shows that a glacial period is a long, cold phase in Earth's climate history, which occurs in cycles between warmer interglacial periods.

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Nuclear fusion Noun

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[noo-klee-er fyoo-zhuhn]

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Nuclear fusion

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A reaction where atomic nuclei combine to form heavier nuclei, releasing immense energy, which powers the sun.

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Example: This diagram shows two light hydrogen atoms (Hydrogen-1 and Hydrogen-2) combining to form a heavier helium atom, releasing a large amount of energy.

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Plasma Noun

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[plaz-muh]

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Plasma

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A state of matter where atoms are ionized, consisting of free electrons and atomic nuclei, found in stars.

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Example: The sun releases solar wind, a stream of plasma, which interacts with Earth's magnetic field; variations in this solar activity can influence long-term climate.

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Albedo Noun

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[al-bee-doh]

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Albedo

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The proportion of light or radiation that is reflected by a surface, influencing how much solar energy is absorbed.

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Example: This diagram shows albedo as a scale from 0 to 1. Dark surfaces like asphalt absorb more sunlight (low albedo), while light surfaces reflect more (high albedo).

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Greenhouse gas Noun

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[green-hous gas]

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Greenhouse gas

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A gas in the atmosphere that absorbs and emits radiant energy, trapping heat and warming the planet's surface.

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Example: This diagram shows how greenhouse gases like CO2 in the atmosphere trap heat from the sun, warming the Earth, which is the greenhouse effect.