Earth's Climate Over Time

To learn about Earth’s past climate, scientists must gather data from sources such as:

• Ice cores, rocks, fossils, tree rings, and sediment

• old buildings, statues, towers, and roadways

• weather balloons, weather stations, and space satellites

• old meteorologists who have been reporting the weather for a long time

_________ have affected Earth's climate throughout its history.

• asteroids and meterorites

• plants and animals

• rising and falling sea levels

• rising and falling carbon dioxide levels

Earth has undergone periods of _______ with _________ covering much of the planet.

• extreme cold; ice

• extreme warmth; volcanoes

• heavy rainfall; floods

• rampant plant growth; vegetation

Over its history, Earth has experienced very cold and very warm periods caused by

• the formation of volcanoes.

• the melting of glacial ice.

• changes to the Earth system.

• the cycling of the four seasons.

Climate is affected by how much _______Earth receives from________

• oxygen; plants.

• energy; the sun.

• wind; storm fronts.

• precipitation; clouds.

Which event would be big enough to cause rapid changes in climate by blocking sunlight?

• an extensive cold front

• a large hurricane

• an asteroid impact

• a spacecraft lifting off into space

Variations in the percentage of gases and the number of particles in the atmosphere affect climate by

• increasing air density and thus affecting barometric pressure.

• throwing weather out of whack.

• fluctuating so much, Earth's orbit is altered.

• changing the amount of energy Earth radiates back into space.

Changes in the_________ have affected climate throughout Earth's history.

• location and shape of Earth's land masses

• number and type of animal populations

• location and size of Earth's weather fronts

• severity and duration of severe weather events

Changes in Earth's climate throughout its history have shaped the world you live in. Recent changes in climate are affecting

• Earth's orbit.

• the length of day.

• your future world.

• the business world.

Climate change is a long-term change in climate patterns and typically includes changes in

• the seasons and amount of daylight.

• average global humidity patterns, barometric pressure, and wind speed.

• average global temperatures, precipitation patterns, and severe weather.

• building and construction practices in cities and farming practices in rural areas.