7th Grade Weather and Climate 3-4

How will the warming of the Earth affect agriculture in different parts of the world? Explain.

Global warming might improve farming at higher latitudes. Closer to the equator, an increase in evaporation and less rainfall might make growing crops difficult.

Describe the possible causes of an ice age.

Ice ages could be caused by changes in the Earth's orbit, in the tilt of the Earth's axis, by plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, or asteroid impacts.

How has the Earth's climate changed over time?

The Earth has experienced periods of cold and warm temperatures called glacial and interglacial periods.

What might have caused the Earth's climate to change?

The Earth's climate may have changed because of the change in the Earth's orbit, a change in the tilt of the Earth's axis, plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, impact from a large asteroid, the sun's cycle, and global warming.

Explain how the greenhouse effects warms the Earth.

The greenhouse effect occurs when gases in the atmosphere trap thermal energy and warm the Earth.

How would deforestation (the cutting of trees) affect global warming?

Trees store carbon, so deforestation could cause carbon dioxide levels in the air to increase, which might increase global warming.

Which period of an ice age are we in currently? Explain.

We are in an interglacial period. Ice sheets are melting instead of advancing.

Global warming

a gradual increase in the average global temperature

Ice age

a long period of climate cooling during which ice sheets cover large areas of Earth's surface; also known as a glacial period

Greenhouse effect

the warming of the surface and lower atmosphere of Earth that occurs when carbon dioxide, water vapor, and other gases in the air absorb and trap thermal energy

What can cause a change in the climate due to dust particles?

volcanic eruptions