Geography Ch.35
What happens to Antarctica's small amount of solar energy?
It is reflected back into space.
Why does Antarctica get so cold?
It is the farthest continent from the equator.
A large ecosystem such as a forest or wetland is called
a biome.
When researchers count the number of penguins in a certain location, it is called
a census.
Antarctica is known for
being the coldest continent on Earth.
The levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere are rising due mostly to people
burning fossil fuels.
Continued warming due to climate change could lead to
common crop failures that cause widespread hunger.
Scientists use ice cores to
determine the temperatures during a given year.
Antarctica is mostly covered by
glaciers.
What do ice shelves form when their edges break off?
icebergs
Who will be most affected by rising sea levels?
low and flat countries
Some scientists doubt that climate change is caused by people. They believe that Earth is warming due to
natural causes.
Seven countries that claimed Antarctica signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1959. This treaty made it so Antarctica was
reserved for peaceful activities.
Global warming could affect the Adelie penguins because an increase in snowfall would
ruin the bare spots they need for nesting.
Scientists trace changes to global climate back to which event in history?
the Industrial Revolution
What do many scientists believe relates to climate change?
the greenhouse effect
What is the name of the natural process that keeps Earth warm?
the greenhouse effect
Researchers go to Antarctica to study climate change. Climate change is
the long term change in Earth's climate.
How might the melting of ice shelves affect Earth's temperature?
the temperature would get higher because less energy would be reflected into space.