Reasons for Climate change and Ice Ages

Some definitionsAn interglacial is a geological interval of warmer

global average temperature that separates glacial periods within an ice age.

A glacial is a period of colder temperatures when ice thickens and advances

A stadial is a period of colder temperatures during an interglacial, of insufficient duration or intensity to be considered a glaciation, or glacial period.

An interstadial is a warmer period during a glaciation of insufficient duration or intensity to be considered an interglacial. Generally, interstadials endure for less than ten thousand years, interglacials for more than ten thousand.“There’s only one Inter in Milan!”

This is the patterns of Glacials and interglacials;

There are 5 possible reasons given1. Changes in the earth’s position in space, its

orbit and tilt2. Variations in sunspot activity, changing the

amount of solar radiation received by the Earth

3. Changes in the amount of volcanic dust affecting the amount of radiation reflected and trapped by the atmosphere

4. Trapping of CO2 by the oceans 5. Variations in ocean currents

Choose one of these to research in a pair. You will have 2-3 minutes at the end of the lesson to;•Explain how the theory works in relation to climate change•Discuss the evidence that exists to support the theory•Justify your opinion on the theory

Mini presentations

Opinion line; do you strongly agree with or strongly disagree with...1. Changes in the earth’s position in space, its

orbit and tilt2. Variations in sunspot activity, changing the

amount of solar radiation received by the Earth

3. Changes in the amount of volcanic dust affecting the amount of radiation reflected and trapped by the atmosphere

4. Trapping of CO2 by the oceans 5. Variations in ocean currents

What have we discovered this lesson?