2 - Climate History and Natural Climate Change

Multiple Choice

What is the difference between a glacial period and an interglacial period?

• A glacial period is warmer with ice retreat, while an interglacial period is colder with ice expansion.
• A glacial period has no ice, while an interglacial period is characterized by constant snowfall.
• A glacial period is marked by heavy rainfall, while an interglacial period features dry conditions.
• A glacial period is colder with ice expansion, while an interglacial period is warmer with ice retreat.

Multiple Choice

What is an ice age?

• An ice age is a brief warm period in Earth's climate history.
• An ice age refers to a time of increased volcanic activity.
• An ice age is characterized by frequent tropical storms and high temperatures.
• An ice age is a period of low temperatures, leading to the growth of ice sheets and glaciers.

Multiple Choice

What are glaciers made of?

• Glaciers are made of rock.
• Glaciers are made of sand.
• Glaciers are made of water.
• Glaciers are made of ice.

Labeling

Label the accumulation and ablation zone of this glacier.

Drag labels to their correct position on the image

accumulation

ablation

Dropdown

We are currently living in a(n) ​

Select answer

period

Multiple Choice

What three periodic changes does the Earth undergo as part of Milankovitch cycles?

• Axial tilt, orbital eccentricity, and precession
• Lunar phases, solar cycles, and tidal forces
• Magnetic field shifts, volcanic activity, and ocean currents
• Seasonal changes, atmospheric pressure, and weather patterns

Categorize

Options (6)

Eccentricity

Affects distance from the Sun and energy received

Obliquity

Affects strength of seasons

Precession

Changes timing of seasons relative to orbit

Organize these options into the right categories

Orbit Shape (Oval vs. Round)

Tilt

Wobble

Multiple Choice

Briefly describe how each of these can affect the Earth’s climate:

Volcanic eruptions –

• They can cause temporary cooling of the Earth's climate by releasing ash and sulfur dioxide, which block sunlight.

• Volcanic eruptions can lead to long-term warming by releasing carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
• Volcanic eruptions have no significant impact on the Earth's climate or weather patterns.
• They primarily increase rainfall by enhancing cloud formation and moisture.

Multiple Choice

Briefly describe how each of these can affect the Earth’s climate:

Sunspots –

• Sunspots increase volcanic activity, leading to cooler temperatures.
• Sunspots have no impact on solar energy output or climate.
• Sunspots primarily affect ocean currents, not atmospheric conditions.
• They alter solar radiation, influencing temperature patterns.

Multiple Choice

Briefly describe how each of these can affect the Earth’s climate:

Great Ocean Conveyor Belt –

• By regulating temperature and influencing weather patterns through the distribution of ocean currents.

• 
  It only affects the climate in polar regions, ignoring the tropics.

• It primarily influences land temperatures without affecting ocean currents.
• The Great Ocean Conveyor Belt has no impact on climate and only affects marine life.

Multiple Choice

Briefly describe how each of these can affect the Earth’s climate:

El Nino Southern Oscillation Cycle –

• The El Nino Southern Oscillation Cycle stabilizes weather patterns, leading to consistent temperatures and rainfall.
• The ENSO has no significant impact on global climate or weather events.

• It alters weather patterns, causing increased rainfall and droughts, and impacting global temperatures.

• The El Nino Southern Oscillation Cycle primarily affects ocean currents without influencing atmospheric conditions.

Multiple Choice

What does albedo measure?

• Albedo measures the reflectivity of a surface.
• Albedo measures the temperature of a surface.
• Albedo measures the density of a material.
• Albedo measures the humidity in the atmosphere.

Multiple Select

What is the albedo of ocean water?

Select 2

• low albedo

• high albedo

• absorbs heat

• reflects heat

Multiple Select

What is the albedo of sea ice?

Select 2

• low albedo

• high albedo

• absorbs heat

• reflects heat

Multiple Choice

What is a sunspot?

• A sunspot is a type of solar flare that emits radiation.
• A sunspot is a bright flare on the Sun's surface.
• A sunspot is a large explosion on the Sun's surface.
• A sunspot is a dark spot on the Sun's surface caused by magnetic activity.

Dropdown

The sun emits more radiation when ​

Select answer

sunspots are present.

Select answer

years.

Multiple Choice

How do volcanoes affect climate?

• They can cause temporary cooling and long-term climate changes by releasing ash and gases into the atmosphere.

• Volcanoes only affect local ecosystems without altering climate.
• Volcanoes have no significant impact on weather patterns.
• Volcanoes primarily warm the climate by releasing carbon dioxide.

Dropdown

When carbon sources of the carbon cycle are favored, the greenhouse effect ​

Select answer

.

Select answer

.

Multiple Choice

Explain what information scientists gather by studying each of these aspects of an ice core:

• Ice cores provide data on past climate, atmospheric gases, and environmental events.
• Ice cores show information about human population growth and migration.
• Ice cores contain records of volcanic eruptions and tectonic shifts.
• Ice cores reveal data on ocean currents and marine life.

Dropdown

The relative amounts of oxygen isotopes in the water: ​

Select answer

​


Sampling the air bubbles:​

Select answer

Multiple Choice

Give one historical event that is tied to each of these recent, small shifts in climate:

Medieval Warming Period –

• Civilizations expanded with the expansion of agriculture

• The signing of the Magna Carta in England.
• The start of the Black Death in Europe.
• The construction of the Great Wall of China.

Multiple Choice

Give one historical event that is tied to each of these recent, small shifts in climate:

Little Ice Age

• The Black Death from the blubonic plague

• The English Civil War over the crown

• The American Revolution from England

• The Great Famine occured because of crop failure

Open Ended

In 2–3 sentences:

Explain one natural cause of climate change

Use at least one vocabulary term from today’s lesson