Question 1

Obliquity,i.e.variations in the Earth's axial tilt,range from ___to _____over a 41,000-year cycle.

Accepted Answer

A) 11.5° to 15.5° 
B) 20.5° to 23.5° 
C) 21.5° to 24.5° 
D) 23.5° to 27.5° 
E) 10.5° to 24.5° 
A) 11.5° to 15.5° 
B) 20.5° to 23.5° 
C) 21.5° to 24.5° 
D) 23.5° to 27.5° 
E) 10.5° to 24.5°

Question 2

Which of the following is true of 16O and 18O?

Accepted Answer

A) Both the 16O and 18O isotopes occur in water molecules. 
B) Only the 16O isotope occurs in water molecules. 
C) Only the 18O isotope occurs in water molecules. 
D) Neither the 16O nor 18O isotopes occur in water molecules. 
E) The 16O and 18O isotopes are so radically different they are not used in paleoclimate reconstructions. 
A) Both the 16O and 18O isotopes occur in water molecules. 
B) Only the 16O isotope occurs in water molecules. 
C) Only the 18O isotope occurs in water molecules. 
D) Neither the 16O nor 18O isotopes occur in water molecules. 
E) The 16O and 18O isotopes are so radically different they are not used in paleoclimate reconstructions.

Question 3

As permafrost thaws,increased microbial activity in the soils results in the release of more carbon to the atmosphere.More carbon in the atmosphere accelerated the greenhouse effect.As temperatures increase further,more carbon can enter the atmosphere,causing temperatures to increase even more.This is an example of a(n)

Accepted Answer

A) positive feedback loop. 
B) negative feedback loop. 
C) threshold. 
D) static state. 
E) equilibrium state. 
A) positive feedback loop. 
B) negative feedback loop. 
C) threshold. 
D) static state. 
E) equilibrium state.

Question 4

The Little Ice Age likely resulted from

Accepted Answer

A) changes in Earth's orbital shape (eccentricity). 
B) changes in Earth's axial tilt (obliquity). 
C) a cooling of the Gulf Stream from rapid glacial melt in Greenland. 
D) solar activity,volcanic activity and/or multiyear changes in global circulation. 
E) the Pleistocene megafauna extinction. 
A) changes in Earth's orbital shape (eccentricity). 
B) changes in Earth's axial tilt (obliquity). 
C) a cooling of the Gulf Stream from rapid glacial melt in Greenland. 
D) solar activity,volcanic activity and/or multiyear changes in global circulation. 
E) the Pleistocene megafauna extinction.

Question 5

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

Accepted Answer

A) Until recently,seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare. 
B) Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then. 
C) Since 1979,summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined. 
D) In the summer,most to all sea ice melts,only to refreeze in the winter.However,less water has been refreezing over the past decade. 
E) Because of high latitudes,sea ice remains throughout the year.However,for the past 30 years,the extent of sea ice has diminished. 
A) Until recently,seasonal variations in sea ice extent were rare. 
B) Summer sea ice reached its minimum extent in 2001 and has gradually increased since then. 
C) Since 1979,summer sea ice minimum extent and winter sea ice maximum extent have declined. 
D) In the summer,most to all sea ice melts,only to refreeze in the winter.However,less water has been refreezing over the past decade. 
E) Because of high latitudes,sea ice remains throughout the year.However,for the past 30 years,the extent of sea ice has diminished.

Question 6

In the case of radiocarbon dating of organic material,the half-life of 14C is

Accepted Answer

A) 1,255 years. 
B) 5,730 years. 
C) 15,397 years. 
D) 75,000 years. 
E) 113,257 years. 
A) 1,255 years. 
B) 5,730 years. 
C) 15,397 years. 
D) 75,000 years. 
E) 113,257 years.

Question 7

Which of the following is not considered a mechanism of natural climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) changes in Earth-Sun relationships 
B) movement of continents via plate tectonics 
C) volcanic eruptions 
D) solar variability 
E) the burning of fossil fuels 
A) changes in Earth-Sun relationships 
B) movement of continents via plate tectonics 
C) volcanic eruptions 
D) solar variability 
E) the burning of fossil fuels

Question 8

Which of the following has a negative radiative forcing (i.e.cools the planet)?

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide (CO2) 
B) nitrous oxides (N2O) 
C) stratospheric ozone (O3) 
D) methane (CH4) 
E) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 
A) carbon dioxide (CO2) 
B) nitrous oxides (N2O) 
C) stratospheric ozone (O3) 
D) methane (CH4) 
E) chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)

Question 9

Mineral deposits within caves and caverns are known as

Accepted Answer

A) earlywood. 
B) latewood. 
C) varves. 
D) speleothems. 
E) foraminifera 
A) earlywood. 
B) latewood. 
C) varves. 
D) speleothems. 
E) foraminifera

Question 10

Which of the following is not an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) planting trees to remove CO2 
B) improving regional land use practices 
C) eating locally sourced foods 
D) using energy efficient light bulbs 
E) driving a vehicle with high fuel economy 
A) planting trees to remove CO2 
B) improving regional land use practices 
C) eating locally sourced foods 
D) using energy efficient light bulbs 
E) driving a vehicle with high fuel economy

Question 11

Since 1880,the years with the highest land surface temperature were

Accepted Answer

A) 1990 and 2000. 
B) 2010,2014,and 2015. 
C) 1985 and 1992. 
D) 1900,1940,and 1962. 
E) 1910,1940,and 1950. 
A) 1990 and 2000. 
B) 2010,2014,and 2015. 
C) 1985 and 1992. 
D) 1900,1940,and 1962. 
E) 1910,1940,and 1950.

Question 12

The ____is the most recent epoch of repeated glaciation on the Earth.

Accepted Answer

A) Holocene 
B) Pleistocene 
C) Pliocene 
D) Miocene 
E) Oligocene 
A) Holocene 
B) Pleistocene 
C) Pliocene 
D) Miocene 
E) Oligocene

Question 13

The 650,000-year record for carbon dioxide (CO2)

Climate reconstructions indicate that carbon dioxide (CO2)levels

Accepted Answer

A) are at the highest levels now of any time during the past 650,000 years. 
B) have consistently decreased over the past 650,000 years. 
C) were highest approximately 350,000 years ago and have decreased since. 
D) have fluctuated over the past 650,000 years,so recent upward trends are not a concern. 
E) have steadily increased (with some minor fluctuations)over the past 350,000 years. 
A) are at the highest levels now of any time during the past 650,000 years. 
B) have consistently decreased over the past 650,000 years. 
C) were highest approximately 350,000 years ago and have decreased since. 
D) have fluctuated over the past 650,000 years,so recent upward trends are not a concern. 
E) have steadily increased (with some minor fluctuations)over the past 350,000 years.

Question 14

The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is

Accepted Answer

A) carbon dioxide (CO2). 
B) methane (CH4). 
C) water vapor (H2O). 
D) nitrous oxide (N2O). 
E) sulfur dioxide (SO2). 
A) carbon dioxide (CO2). 
B) methane (CH4). 
C) water vapor (H2O). 
D) nitrous oxide (N2O). 
E) sulfur dioxide (SO2).

Question 15

The primary factors contributing to present sea-level rise are

Accepted Answer

A) melting of land ice and thermal expansion of seawater. 
B) melting of land ice and melting of sea ice. 
C) melting of sea ice and thermal expansion of seawater. 
D) thermal expansion of seawater,only. 
E) melting of land ice,only. 
A) melting of land ice and thermal expansion of seawater. 
B) melting of land ice and melting of sea ice. 
C) melting of sea ice and thermal expansion of seawater. 
D) thermal expansion of seawater,only. 
E) melting of land ice,only.

Question 16

Scientists use_____ to study past climates,using ____to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.

Accepted Answer

A) proxy methods;climate proxies 
B) direct measurements;historical records 
C) indirect evidence;conjecture 
D) computer models;algorithms 
E) inference;supposition 
A) proxy methods;climate proxies 
B) direct measurements;historical records 
C) indirect evidence;conjecture 
D) computer models;algorithms 
E) inference;supposition

Question 17

The rate of sea-level rise

Accepted Answer

A) is higher than predicted by most climate models,though appears to be decreasing. 
B) is lower than predicted by most climate models,and appears to be decreasing. 
C) is lower than predicted by most climate models,though appear to be accelerating. 
D) has remained constant throughout the past century,though appears to be accelerating. 
E) is higher than predicted by most climate models,and appears to be accelerating. 
A) is higher than predicted by most climate models,though appears to be decreasing. 
B) is lower than predicted by most climate models,and appears to be decreasing. 
C) is lower than predicted by most climate models,though appear to be accelerating. 
D) has remained constant throughout the past century,though appears to be accelerating. 
E) is higher than predicted by most climate models,and appears to be accelerating.

Question 18

Why is the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic of special concern?

Accepted Answer

A) Thawing permafrost will lead to increased solifluction. 
B) Most permafrost is in the Southern Hemisphere where the thawing is contributing to a decline in global biodiversity. 
C) Wet peatland forests will be further drained and logged as the conditions are conducive for such activity. 
D) Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere,which could further amplify warming. 
E) As permafrost thaws,it will contribute to global sea level rise. 
A) Thawing permafrost will lead to increased solifluction. 
B) Most permafrost is in the Southern Hemisphere where the thawing is contributing to a decline in global biodiversity. 
C) Wet peatland forests will be further drained and logged as the conditions are conducive for such activity. 
D) Permafrost thawing releases massive amounts of methane into the atmosphere,which could further amplify warming. 
E) As permafrost thaws,it will contribute to global sea level rise.

Question 19

The ____is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO2 concentrations since 1958.

Accepted Answer

A) Keeling Curve 
B) PETM 
C) Maunder minimum 
D) Younger Dryas 
E) MCA 
A) Keeling Curve 
B) PETM 
C) Maunder minimum 
D) Younger Dryas 
E) MCA

Question 20

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

Accepted Answer

A) oceans 
B) rocks 
C) forests 
D) farmlands 
E) soils 
A) oceans 
B) rocks 
C) forests 
D) farmlands 
E) soils

Obliquity,i.e.variations in the Earth's axial tilt,range from _to ___over a 41,000-year cycle.

Which of the following is true of 16O and 18O?

The Little Ice Age likely resulted from

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

In the case of radiocarbon dating of organic material,the half-life of 14C is

Which of the following is not considered a mechanism of natural climate change?

Which of the following has a negative radiative forcing (i.e.cools the planet)?

Mineral deposits within caves and caverns are known as

Which of the following is not an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Since 1880,the years with the highest land surface temperature were

The ____is the most recent epoch of repeated glaciation on the Earth.

The 650,000-year record for carbon dioxide (CO2) Climate reconstructions indicate that carbon dioxide (CO₂)levels

The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is

The primary factors contributing to present sea-level rise are

Scientists use_ to study past climates,using to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.

The rate of sea-level rise

Why is the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic of special concern?

The ____is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO2 concentrations since 1958.

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems

Aeolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

Oceans and Coastal Systems

Glacial Landscapes and the Cryosphere

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 10: Climate Change

Obliquity,i.e.variations in the Earth's axial tilt,range from ___to _____over a 41,000-year cycle.

Which of the following is true of 16O and 18O?

The Little Ice Age likely resulted from

Which of the following is correct regarding Arctic sea ice?

In the case of radiocarbon dating of organic material,the half-life of 14C is

Which of the following is not considered a mechanism of natural climate change?

Which of the following has a negative radiative forcing (i.e.cools the planet)?

Mineral deposits within caves and caverns are known as

Which of the following is not an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Since 1880,the years with the highest land surface temperature were

The ____is the most recent epoch of repeated glaciation on the Earth.

The 650,000-year record for carbon dioxide (CO2) Climate reconstructions indicate that carbon dioxide (CO2)levels

The most abundant greenhouse gas in the Earth's atmosphere is

The primary factors contributing to present sea-level rise are

Scientists use_____ to study past climates,using ____to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.

The rate of sea-level rise

Why is the thawing of permafrost in the Arctic of special concern?

The ____is a graph which plots monthly averages of CO2 concentrations since 1958.

Which of the following is not considered an important carbon sink?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earth’s Atmosphere

Atmospheric Energy and Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Earth’s Climatic Regions

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems

Aeolian Processes and Arid Landscapes

Oceans and Coastal Systems

Glacial Landscapes and the Cryosphere

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Obliquity,i.e.variations in the Earth's axial tilt,range from _to ___over a 41,000-year cycle.

The 650,000-year record for carbon dioxide (CO2) Climate reconstructions indicate that carbon dioxide (CO₂)levels

Scientists use_ to study past climates,using to reconstruct climates that extend back further than our present instrumentation allows.