Geology: Ch.21 (Global Climate Change)

Ozone is concentrated in the ________.

stratosphere

The increase in global temperature during the twentieth century was approximately ________.

0.8°C

Eccentricity, obliquity, and precession are considered to be causes of ________ climate change.

natural

A surface's ________ is the amount of total radiation that it reflects.

albedo

The temperature decrease in the troposphere is termed the ________.

 

environmental lapse rate

Burning which of the following materials contributes carbon dioxide to Earth's atmosphere?

 coal, petroleum, and wood

A general term for particulate matter found in the atmosphere is ________.

aerosols

Some scientists believe that these huge magnetic storms are responsible for variations in temperature and precipitation.

sunspots

If Earth's atmosphere contained no greenhouse gases, the average surface temperature would be ________.

lower

Temperatures rise to more than 1000 ºC in the ________.

thermosphere

Methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) are considered ________ (greenhouse) gases.

trace

Methane is produced by ________ bacteria.

anaerobic

As you ascend in elevation within the troposphere, the air temperature decreases ________.

6.5 ºC/km

Tree rings can be used ________.

to reconstruct paleoclimates and as a dating tool

Global warming is likely to have a greater adverse effect on ________ regions.

polar

The increase in atmospheric nitrous oxide ("laughing gas") results primarily from ________.

fertilizers

Explosive volcanic eruptions can act to ________ global temperatures.

lower

Increased levels of atmospheric CO₂ will ultimately ________ the pH of global oceans.

lower

Lines of indirect evidence that scientists use to reconstruct past climates are termed ________.

proxy data

Melting of permafrost will release ________ as a result of decomposing vegetation.

carbon dioxide and methane