Question 1

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

Accepted Answer

A)  The age of trees can be determined by tree ring analysis. By establishing the age of long-lived trees, one can determine the climate conditions of the area the year the tree sprouted. 
B)  The width of annual tree rings indicates the climatic conditions; wider rings suggest favorable conditions, whereas narrower rings suggest harsher conditions. 
C)  Dendrochronology is primarily used in the tropical regions, where one can easily correlate a tree species' age with the climatic conditions there. 
D)  Because most trees only live 60 to 100 years, dendrochronology can only serve as a climate record for recent history and are primarily used to supplement instrument data. 
A)  The age of trees can be determined by tree ring analysis. By establishing the age of long-lived trees, one can determine the climate conditions of the area the year the tree sprouted. 
B)  The width of annual tree rings indicates the climatic conditions; wider rings suggest favorable conditions, whereas narrower rings suggest harsher conditions. 
C)  Dendrochronology is primarily used in the tropical regions, where one can easily correlate a tree species' age with the climatic conditions there. 
D)  Because most trees only live 60 to 100 years, dendrochronology can only serve as a climate record for recent history and are primarily used to supplement instrument data.

Question 2

Mineral deposits with caves and caverns are known as

Accepted Answer

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

Question 3

What is some of the evidence establishing that climate change is currently occurring?

Accepted Answer

Temperature data showing an undeniable w

Question 4

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

Accepted Answer

A)  placing dishes in dishwater without pre-washing 
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)  placing dishes in dishwater without pre-washing 
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 5

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 6

Both the ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O oxygen isotopes occur in water molecules and can be used for isotopic analysis to reconstruct past climates.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N₂O) primarily to

Accepted Answer

A)  automobile combustion. 
B)  agricultural activity. 
C)  wastewater management. 
D)  industrial practices. 
A)  automobile combustion. 
B)  agricultural activity. 
C)  wastewater management. 
D)  industrial practices.

Question 8

Water vapor (H₂O) has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

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

Question 10

Milankovitch cycles are currently accepted as a causal factor for long-term climatic fluctuations.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 11

Sea surface temperatures increased at an average annual rate of 0.07 C° (0.13 F°) from 1901 to 2012.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 12

The United States leads the world in total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Milankovitch cycles refer to

Accepted Answer

A)  changes in Earth-Sun relationships, namely the Earth's orbit around the sun, the Earth's axial rotation, and the Earth's axial tilt. 
B)  cyclical changes in solar irradiance caused by increases and decreases in sunspot activity. 
C)  increases and decreases in atmospheric gases and aerosols, primarily caused by natural activity such as volcanic activity and changes in net primary productivity. 
D)  tectonic changes in continental position and topographic changes from orogeny, erosion, and mass wasting. 
A)  changes in Earth-Sun relationships, namely the Earth's orbit around the sun, the Earth's axial rotation, and the Earth's axial tilt. 
B)  cyclical changes in solar irradiance caused by increases and decreases in sunspot activity. 
C)  increases and decreases in atmospheric gases and aerosols, primarily caused by natural activity such as volcanic activity and changes in net primary productivity. 
D)  tectonic changes in continental position and topographic changes from orogeny, erosion, and mass wasting.

Question 14

Halogenated gases are purely anthropogenic and have no natural sources.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 15

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice., that is, sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 16

The Younger Dryas refers to a(n)

Accepted Answer

A)  interglacial period, characterized by a general warming trend, lasting since the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the present. 
B)  brief return to near-glacial conditions during the transition period from the last glacial period to the present interglacial period. 
C)  400 year, from A.D. 800 to 1200, period characterized by warmer than normal conditions in the North Atlantic region (e.g. Greenland and Iceland). 
D)  global cooling episode, lasting from approximately A.D. 1250 to 1850. 
A)  interglacial period, characterized by a general warming trend, lasting since the last glacial maximum (LGM) to the present. 
B)  brief return to near-glacial conditions during the transition period from the last glacial period to the present interglacial period. 
C)  400 year, from A.D. 800 to 1200, period characterized by warmer than normal conditions in the North Atlantic region (e.g. Greenland and Iceland). 
D)  global cooling episode, lasting from approximately A.D. 1250 to 1850.

Question 17

How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

Accepted Answer

A)  Oceans may absorb up to 50% of rising concentrations of rising carbon. When dissolved CO₂ mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H₂CO₃). 
B)  Atmospheric CO₂ combines with atmospheric moisture forming a light carbonic acid forms (H₂CO₃), that is precipitated over the world's oceans. 
C)  Increased photosynthetic activity in phytoplankton resulting from increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations results in acidification due to a complex chemical reaction during plant decay. 
D)  Thermohaline circulation exchanges carbon between surface dissolved organic carbon and deep layers of dissolved inorganic carbon. 
A)  Oceans may absorb up to 50% of rising concentrations of rising carbon. When dissolved CO₂ mixes with saltwater, carbonic acid forms (H₂CO₃). 
B)  Atmospheric CO₂ combines with atmospheric moisture forming a light carbonic acid forms (H₂CO₃), that is precipitated over the world's oceans. 
C)  Increased photosynthetic activity in phytoplankton resulting from increased atmospheric CO₂ concentrations results in acidification due to a complex chemical reaction during plant decay. 
D)  Thermohaline circulation exchanges carbon between surface dissolved organic carbon and deep layers of dissolved inorganic carbon.

Question 18

Present atmospheric methane (CH₄) concentrations are at approximately________ ppb.

Accepted Answer

A)  750 
B)  1000 
C)  1500 
D)  1800 
A)  750 
B)  1000 
C)  1500 
D)  1800

Question 19

Climate has fluctuated naturally over Earth's long history. As a result, most scientists are skeptical that human activity has contributed to recent trends in global climate.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 20

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

Accepted Answer

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

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

Mineral deposits with caves and caverns are known as

What is some of the evidence establishing that climate change is currently occurring?

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

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Both the ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O oxygen isotopes occur in water molecules and can be used for isotopic analysis to reconstruct past climates.

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N₂O) primarily to

Water vapor (H₂O) has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

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

Milankovitch cycles are currently accepted as a causal factor for long-term climatic fluctuations.

Sea surface temperatures increased at an average annual rate of 0.07 C° (0.13 F°) from 1901 to 2012.

The United States leads the world in total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Milankovitch cycles refer to

Halogenated gases are purely anthropogenic and have no natural sources.

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice., that is, sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

The Younger Dryas refers to a(n)

How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

Present atmospheric methane (CH₄) concentrations are at approximately________ ppb.

Climate has fluctuated naturally over Earth's long history. As a result, most scientists are skeptical that human activity has contributed to recent trends in global climate.

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 11: Climate Change

Which of the following accurately describes the use of tree rings for studying past climates (dendroclimatology)?

Mineral deposits with caves and caverns are known as

What is some of the evidence establishing that climate change is currently occurring?

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

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Both the ¹⁶O and ¹⁸O oxygen isotopes occur in water molecules and can be used for isotopic analysis to reconstruct past climates.

Scientists attribute the recent rise in atmospheric concentrations of nitrous oxide (N₂O) primarily to

Water vapor (H₂O) has a longer residence time in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide (CO₂).

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

Milankovitch cycles are currently accepted as a causal factor for long-term climatic fluctuations.

Sea surface temperatures increased at an average annual rate of 0.07 C° (0.13 F°) from 1901 to 2012.

The United States leads the world in total carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions.

Milankovitch cycles refer to

Halogenated gases are purely anthropogenic and have no natural sources.

There has been a decrease in multi-year ice., that is, sea ice that survives through two or more summers.

The Younger Dryas refers to a(n)

How is ocean acidification possibly linked to increased anthropogenic emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂)?

Present atmospheric methane (CH₄) concentrations are at approximately________ ppb.

Climate has fluctuated naturally over Earth's long history. As a result, most scientists are skeptical that human activity has contributed to recent trends in global climate.

Which of the following gases accounts for the largest amount of radiative forcing?

Essentials of Geography

Solar Energy to Earth and the Seasons

Earths Modern Atmosphere

Atmosphere and Surface Energy Balances

Global Temperatures

Atmospheric and Oceanic Circulations

Water and Atmospheric Moisture

Weather

Water Resources

Global Climate Systems

The Dynamic Planet

Tectonics, Earthquakes, and Volcanism

Weathering, Karst Landscapes, and Mass Movement

River Systems and Landforms

The Oceans, Coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Processes and Landforms

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters