CLIMATE 3

Ice Core Records

Natural paleoclimatic archives used to reconstruct historical temperature, atmospheric circulation strength, precipitation, ocean volume, atmospheric dust, volcanic eruptions, solar variability, marine biological productivity, sea ice and desert extent, and forest fires. 

Albedo Effect

The reflectivity of an object in space; the amount of electromagnetic radiation that reflects away compared to the amount that gets absorbed (e.g., reflective sea ice having an albedo of up to 85% vs. dark open ocean absorbing 93% of incoming radiation).

Global Conveyor Belt

A large-scale system of connected ocean currents driven by wind and thermohaline circulation that transports heat and nutrients around the planet in a 1,000-year cycle to regulate global climate stability.

Thermohaline Circulation

Deep-ocean circulation propelled by water density differences, controlled by temperature (thermo) and salinity (haline). 

Upwelling

An oceanographic process where cold, deep, and nutrient-rich ocean water rises toward the surface.

Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF)

A phrase used to describe a sudden release of a significant amount of water retained in a glacial lake.

Sea Level Rise

The rise in global ocean water elevation driven by thermal expansion of warming seawater and the melting of land-based glaciers and ice sheets (with total ice melt projected to raise sea levels by 216 feet).