Flashcards
Milankovitch Cycle
Cards in this deck (6)
- 1The Milankovitch CycleThe cycle of the Earth's orbit around the sun.
- 2The three cyclical movements1) Eccentricity
2) Axial Tilt
3) Precession - 3The Milankovitch theoryThe Milankovitch theory tells us that the three cyclical movements combine to affect the amount of solar heat on the Earth's surface, which subsequently influences climate change.
- 4EccentricityEccentricity affects how close the Earth is to the sun. The orbit of the Earth changes from less elliptical, almost like a circle, to more elliptical and back. This is due to the gravitation effect of neighboring planets. When the Earth is closer to the sun, it's warmer, and when the Earth's orbit is farther, it's colder. This cycle lasts for approx. 100,000 years.
- 5The Axial tiltThe Axial tilt lasts for 41,000 years. It causes the Earth to tilt between 22.1 degrees and 24.5 degrees and back. Regions in the upper/lower hemisphere will experience hottest summers (greater tilt towards the sun) and coldest winters.
- 6PrecessionPrecession is when the Earth wobbles on its axis, and a cycle lasts for approx. 26,000 years. It is caused by tidal forces from the sun and moon, and it results in the poles experiencing very long days/nights at certain times of the year (more or less solar radiation).
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- - Geography Flashcards on Milankovitch Cycle, created by Minseo Kim on 11/12/2016.
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- Minseo Kim
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