Define ice cores.
Cylinders of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets, containing trapped air bubbles that reveal past atmospheric composition and climate data.
Define positive feedback loop.
A process where an initial change triggers a series of events that amplify the original change, leading to an accelerating effect.
Define albedo.
The measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed.
What are ice cores?
Samples of ice drilled from glaciers or ice sheets that contain trapped air bubbles revealing past atmospheric composition and climate data.
What is albedo?
The measure of how much light that hits a surface is reflected without being absorbed.
What is a positive feedback loop?
A process where the effect of a change amplifies the original change, creating a cycle.
Define permafrost.
Ground that remains frozen for at least two consecutive years.
How does ice core analysis work?
Snow compacts into ice, trapping atmospheric gases. Bubbles reveal past CO2, methane, and pollutant levels. Deeper ice equals older samples.
Explain the positive feedback loop of melting ice.
Rising temperatures melt ice/snow, reducing reflective surfaces. More solar radiation is absorbed, leading to faster warming, which causes more melting.
