GEOG 2051 : Finals
Document Summary
Cryosphere: consists of the portions of the hydrosphere and lithosphere and lithosphere that perennially frozen (glaciers, permafrost, sea ice) Climate history: for most of earth"s history, the global climate was relatively warm compared to today"s climate. Temperature: measure of kinetic energy stored in a substance. All molecules are constantly in motion-the more energy the possess in storage, the faster they v vibrate- temperature rises, increases kinetic energy. Negative: outputs>inputs- energy taken out of storage, temperature falls. 1. 2 billion bp (before present) - earth began to experience a series of long term fluctuations (cold and warm cycles) Glacial, ice periods: ice sheets covering large portions of the continents. Quaternary periods: series of glacial periods separated by interglacial (periods of meltdowns) Holocene: temperatures have been fluctuating (by a degree or 2) Something in system has to be changing for climate to change. Discovered a number of cycles in the nature of earth"s orbit.
