GEOG 205 Lecture Notes - Medieval Warm Period, Little Ice Age, Neoglaciation
Document Summary
February 25th, 2013: vulnerability of past societies to climate change and legacies of the medieval warm period & little ice age still debate towards timing, cause & existence of medieval warm period & little ice. Archaeological evidence & historical records provide indications of past climate. Aren"t stopped by lack of meteorological instruments, can use records of crop harvests & length of growing season tax records also provide data. Resisting pressure to relinquish powers in norway & losing too many battles in europe to continue exploitation to the south the little ice age: colder winters & summer + increased storminess following medieval warm. Volcanoes release ash (dust) into air & block sunlight, cooling air temperatures. When snow falls it collects insoluble dust particles, soluble compounds & water in snow itself. Annual layers of snow accumulate & atmospheric gases fill open pores between snow crystals.
