Natural changes: Orbital changes

Question 1

Milankovitch Cycles: cause climate change

Answer 1

Glacial and interglacial periods are triggered by the combined effect of all 3 cycles, however too small to account for the dramatic climate changes

When all 3 unite to produce a cooler summer: glaciers form, sea levels fall, ice ages occur

Produce warmer summer: Glaciers melt, interglacial period

Question 2

Eccentricity

Answer 2

Earth’s orbit changes from almost circular to elliptical over 100,000 year cycles

When earth is closer to sun more solar radiation-> warmer

Question 3

Axial Tilt

Answer 3

Earth tilted on axis causes night and day

The degree of tilt changes over a period of 41,000 years from 21-42 degrees

Greater degree the more intense summer and winter

Question 4

Precession

Answer 4

Earth has a natural wobble and a complete one takes 26,000 years

Northern hemisphere receives more solar radiation when precession points the North Pole
vice versa