Natural Causes of Climate Change
Geography: AQA GCSE, topic 1.4.3
Which Natural Things Can Change the Climate?
Below are some natural factors that are potential causes of climate change.
Changes in the Earth's orbit
- The Earth's orbit around the Sun changes from circular to elliptical and back to circular over a period of 96,000 years. This is known as Milankovitch cycles.
- When the Earth is closer to the sun, more of the sun's radiation will reach the Earth, warming it.
- Orbital cycles could explain the interglacial eras.
,w_800.jpg)
Volcanic activity
- Very large volcanic eruptions can change the atmosphere.
- Particles can reflect the Sun's radiation away from Earth, cooling it down. This can be described as a volcanic winter.
- Volcanic eruptions also release Carbon Dioxide, which is a greenhouse gas.
- However, volcanic winters only last for a few years and would cool the earth down.
- Volcanoes don't produce enough CO2 to explain global warming over 150 years.
Solar output variation
- The Sun's energy output changes in cycles. It is possible that a period of high output could increase the Earth's temperature, however, the scientific consensus is that solar output variation cannot explain recent global warming.
Test yourself on Natural Causes of Climate Change
Potential natural causes of climate change