Climate Review

Many periods of global warming have occurred during the last 100,000 years. The inferred primary cause of the current rise in global temperatures is the

• change in the eccentricity of Earth's orbit

• change in position of tectonic plates

• increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases

• increase in sunspot activity

Two major greenhouse gases that can be found in Earth's atmosphere are

• carbon dioxide and methane

• methane and nitrogen

• nitrogen and oxygen

• oxygen and carbon dioxide

When major volcanic eruptions send large amounts of ash and dust into the atmosphere, worldwide air temperatures usually become

• warmer, because the atmosphere is less transparent

• warmer, because the atmosphere is more transparent

• cooler, because the atmosphere is less transparent

• cooler, because the atmosphere is more transparent

Which gas is a greenhouse gas that has increased in Earth's atmosphere partly as a result of deforestation over the last 100 years?

• ozone

• oxygen

• nitrogen

• carbon dioxide

Compared to the average air temperature at the stratopause, the average air temperature at the mesopause is

• 55°C lower

• 55°C higher

• 90°C lower

• 90°C higher

Compared to the summer and winter temperatures at low elevations, higher elevations at the same latitude have

• warmer summers and warmer winters

• warmer summers and cooler winters

• cooler summers and cooler winters

• cooler summers and warmer winters

The graph below shows the yearly air temperature and precipitation of a location on Earth. This location would be most likely at a latitude of

• 0°

• 35° S

• 50° N

• 90° N

Mount Kilimanjaro is located in eastern Africa at 3° S. Which climate factor best explains the presence of permanent snow on its peak?

• latitude

• elevation

Which event causes a temporary slowing or reversal of the surface ocean currents in the equatorial region of the Pacific Ocean, which may disrupt normal weather patterns in North America?

• a volcanic eruption

• a tsunami

• El Niño

• Grenville orogeny

Which ocean current warms the climate along a continent's east coast?

• California Current

• Brazil Current

• Falkland Current

• Guinea Current