Preview
Description
One of a world-wide series of ice ages sets in. Thick ice sheets expand over vast areas of Earth. What causes these ice ages is not completely understood. One theory attributes the ice ages to fluctuations in Earth's orbit, which affect the delivery of solar radiation to Earth.
Temperature swings can be amplified by other factors. If solar radiation decreases, for example, Earth cools and glaciers expand. Since glaciers are reflective, the expansion reduces the amount of heat absorbed by Earth. Thus, temperatures spiral down.
The life system of Earth is closely coupled to climate change. Since the origin of life, microbes have played a major role in the carbon cycle. Ocean-floor and ice-core drilling shows precision synchrony between climate change and atmospheric carbon dioxide. This coupling affects the magnitude of climate change.
Date Created
1997
Holding Institution
University of Montana--Missoula. Environmental Studies Program
Rights Statement
Rights Holder
© 1997 Stiftung Drittes Millennium
Item Type
Exhibit
Digital File Format
image/jpeg
Media Type
Text; Image
Digital Image Number
47_wtt_file03_40-59.jpg
Recommended Citation
Liebes, Sid; Mittelstadt, Laurie; Waugh, Barbara; and Brynes, Lois, "Panel 47: Some Like It Cool" (1997). A Walk Through Time - From Stardust To Us. 47.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/awalkthroughtime/47