2.1.2

Natural Causes

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Milankovitch Cycles

Long-term climate change has been due to a range of natural causes, including Milankovitch cycles. Milankovitch cycles refer to the 'wobble, roll and stretch' changes in the Earth’s orbit around the sun.

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Stretch (eccentricity)

  • The 'stretch' part of the Milankovitch cycles describes the Earth’s orbit changes from circular to elliptical.
  • This affects how much solar radiation is received on the Earth's surface.
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Roll (tilt)

  • The 'roll' part of the Milankovitch cycles describe the axis tilting from 21 to 24 degrees and back again, over a period of 41,000 years.
  • This leads to changes in the amount of solar radiation received at the Earth's surface.
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Wobble (precession)

  • The Earth's axis is said to ‘wobble’, altering the distance between the sun and the Earth.

Other Natural Causes of Climate Change

Long-term climate change has been due to a range of natural causes, including sunspot activity and volcanic activity.

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Sunspot activity

  • Sunspots are temporary spots on the Sun's photosphere that send more solar radiation towards the Earth.
  • They happen on a range of cycles, the smallest being every 11 years.
  • The net increase in radiation with sunspots is 0.1%.
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Volcanic activity

  • Volcanoes emit ash, sulphur dioxide, carbon dioxide and water into the atmosphere.
  • These gases and ash reduce the amount of solar radiation received at the surface by forming a buffer between the sun's rays and the Earth's surface.
  • A recent example was Mt Pinatubo, which erupted in 1991.

Jump to other topics

1Tectonic Processes & Hazards

2Option 2A: Glaciated Landscapes & Change

3Option 2B: Coastal Landscapes & Change

4Globalisation

5Option 4A: Regenerating Places

6Option 4B: Diverse Places

7The Water Cycle & Water Insecurity (A2 only)

8The Carbon Cycle & Energy Security (A2 only)

9Superpowers (A2 only)

10Option 8A: Health & Human Rights (A2 only)

11Option 8B: Migration & Identity (A2 only)

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