What causes Glacial Climate?
Causes of Glaciation on Earth
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•Earth’s Orbit and its receipt of solar energy. A major part of the story.
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•Atmospheric composition (CO2, CH4 and others). Central to the Global Warming/Greenhouse Gases.
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•Motion and repositioning of Tectonic Plates. Perhaps important to ancient glacial periods.
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•Variations in Solar Energy Output. Seems to be only a minor effect.
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•Volcanic Eruptions. Sulfur emissions cause Earth surface temperature decreases lasting a few years.
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•Meteorite Impacts. Quite rare events, but possibly quite important.
Northern hemisphere glaciation during the last ice ages. The accumulation of 3 to 4 km thick ice sheets caused a sea level lowering of about 120 m. Also, the Alps and the Himalayas were covered by glaciers. Winter sea ice coverage was much more limited in the south.
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