Climate Change and Earth's History

What is the main factor that influences climate changes on Earth according to the text?

• The amount of water in the oceans

• The amount of energy entering and exiting Earth's system

• The number of animals on Earth

• The distance of Earth from the sun

How does energy enter the Earth system?

• Through volcanic eruptions

• As light from the sun

• Through ocean currents

• As heat from the Earth's core

Which organisms were found in the Arctic during the Eocene Period, indicating warmer conditions?

• Polar bears

• Penguins

• Alligators

• Seals

What is one theory for the cause of warming in the early Eocene?

• Decrease in solar activity

• Increase in carbon dioxide

• Decrease in volcanic activity

• Increase in ocean currents

During the Eocene Period, what was the condition of the Arctic Ocean?

• Frozen solid

• Covered in ice caps

• Warm enough for swimming

• Filled with glaciers

What happens when more energy enters the Earth system than leaves it?

• Earth cools down

• Earth maintains its temperature

• Earth gets warmer

• Earth experiences no change

How did the increase in methane in the atmosphere affect the climate during the Eocene Period?

• It made the climate cooler.

• It had no effect on the climate.

• It made the climate warmer.

• It caused the climate to become unstable.

What is one thing scientists agree on regarding the cause of Snowball Earth?

• It was caused by volcanic eruptions.

• It was caused by a meteor impact.

• It was caused by a decrease in greenhouse gases.

• The exact cause is still debated.

Why did Earth's temperature continue to drop during the Cryogenian Period?

• More sunlight was absorbed by the ice.

• More energy was trapped in Earth's atmosphere.

• More energy was reflected back into space by the ice.

• More energy was absorbed by the oceans.

What happens when ice reflects sunlight during the Cryogenian Period?

• Earth's temperature increases.

• Earth's temperature remains constant.

• Earth's temperature decreases.

• Earth's temperature becomes unpredictable.