Glacial and interglacial cycles refer to the periodic fluctuations in Earth's climate, characterized by the advance and retreat of ice sheets over tens of thousands of years. These cycles are primarily driven by variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt, which affect the distribution and intensity of sunlight reaching the planet's surface.

Glacial And Interglacial Cycles

Glacial cycles are periodic changes in the Earth's climate characterized by the expansion and contraction of ice sheets, driven primarily by variations in Earth's orbit and axial tilt. These cycles have profound impacts on global climate, sea levels, and ecosystems, occurring over tens of thousands of years and are crucial for understanding past climate changes and predicting future trends.

Glacial Cycles

Interglacial cycles

Periodic fluctuations in Earth's climate

Advance and retreat of ice sheets

Earth's orbit is the gravitationally curved trajectory that Earth follows around the Sun, taking approximately 365.25 days to complete one full revolution, which defines the length of a year. This orbit is elliptical, causing variations in Earth's distance from the Sun and contributing to seasonal changes and variations in solar energy received by different parts of the planet.

Earth's Orbit

Axial tilt, also known as obliquity, is the angle between a planet's rotational axis and its orbital axis, influencing the severity of seasons. Earth's axial tilt is approximately 23.5 degrees, which is crucial for the variation in climate and daylight throughout the year.

Axial Tilt

Distribution of sunlight

Intensity of sunlight

Climate change refers to significant, long-term changes in the global climate, largely driven by human activities such as burning fossil fuels, deforestation, and industrial processes. It results in global warming, extreme weather events, sea level rise, and disruptions to ecosystems, affecting biodiversity and human societies worldwide.

Climate Change

Ice Sheets

Earth's climate is a complex system influenced by various natural and human-induced factors, resulting in a dynamic environment that affects global ecosystems and human societies. Understanding the climate requires studying atmospheric patterns, ocean currents, and the balance of energy entering and leaving the planet, as these are pivotal in predicting changes and impacts of climate variability and change.

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