Question 1

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

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 2

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH4)and carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations and temperatures.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 3

Firsthand,reliable scientific measurements of climate only date back approximately 140 years.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 4

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

Accepted Answer

A) All are composed of organic materials and are therefore good candidates for radiocarbon dating. 
B) Each has growth bands,yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C) The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 5000 years and are,therefore,only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
D) The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions. 
A) All are composed of organic materials and are therefore good candidates for radiocarbon dating. 
B) Each has growth bands,yielding evidence of the conditions under which they formed and grew. 
C) The chronology each can provide only dates back to a maximum of 5000 years and are,therefore,only useful for relatively recent climatic trends. 
D) The fossilized form of each is used for understanding past climatic conditions.

Question 5

Which correctly describes carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations over the past 800,000 years?

Accepted Answer

A) These have remained relatively constant. 
B) These were much higher in the past than the present. 
C) These fluctuated over time,but have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution. 
D) These reached a maximum about 325 000 years before present. 
A) These have remained relatively constant. 
B) These were much higher in the past than the present. 
C) These fluctuated over time,but have been increasing since the Industrial Revolution. 
D) These reached a maximum about 325 000 years before present.

Question 6

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 7

The use of tree rings to study past climates is known as dendroclimatology.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 8

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 9

Which of the following is an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Accepted Answer

A) Using a dishwasher after every meal. 
B) Improving regional land use practices. 
C) Eating imported foods. 
D) Using energy efficient light bulbs. 
A) Using a dishwasher after every meal. 
B) Improving regional land use practices. 
C) Eating imported foods. 
D) Using energy efficient light bulbs.

Question 10

Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of the world's oceans?

Accepted Answer

A) Because 18O evaporates more readily than 16O,the oceans have a higher relative abundance of 16O during warm periods and a more balanced ratio when there is less evaporation. 
B) The higher the ratio of oceanic 18O/16O,the warmer the temperatures because the 16O will have been mostly evaporated from ocean waters. 
C) During periods of colder temperature 16O is locked up in snow and ice and the oceans have a higher preponderance of 18O; during warmer periods the isotope ratio is lower. 
D) The 18O/16O ratio is low during colder temperatures because temperatures are too low for evapouration to be effective and both isotopes remain in the ocean. 
A) Because 18O evaporates more readily than 16O,the oceans have a higher relative abundance of 16O during warm periods and a more balanced ratio when there is less evaporation. 
B) The higher the ratio of oceanic 18O/16O,the warmer the temperatures because the 16O will have been mostly evaporated from ocean waters. 
C) During periods of colder temperature 16O is locked up in snow and ice and the oceans have a higher preponderance of 18O; during warmer periods the isotope ratio is lower. 
D) The 18O/16O ratio is low during colder temperatures because temperatures are too low for evapouration to be effective and both isotopes remain in the ocean.

Question 11

Which correctly pairs the rate of evaporation for 16O as compared to 18O with how it condenses?

Accepted Answer

A) Less; more. 
B) Less; less. 
C) More; less. 
D) More; more. 
A) Less; more. 
B) Less; less. 
C) More; less. 
D) More; more.

Question 12

In May 2013,the Mauna Loa Observatory recorded the highest CO2 concentrations on record.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 13

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ice cores and a climate indicated by a higher ice core 18O/16O ratio?

Accepted Answer

A) Cooler; warmer. 
B) Warmer; cooler. 
C) Cooler; cold. 
D) Warmer; hot. 
A) Cooler; warmer. 
B) Warmer; cooler. 
C) Cooler; cold. 
D) Warmer; hot.

Question 14

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

Accepted Answer

The primary methods for long-term recons

Question 15

With reference to the above figure,which describes change over the span of 70 million years of Earth's climate?

Accepted Answer

A) Climate was much warmer in the distant past than the present. 
B) Climate was much cooler in the distant past than the present. 
C) Climate has remained fairly constant,only showing a warming trend during the past 200 years. 
D) Climate was warmest approximately 10 million years ago and coolest about 56 million years ago. 
A) Climate was much warmer in the distant past than the present. 
B) Climate was much cooler in the distant past than the present. 
C) Climate has remained fairly constant,only showing a warming trend during the past 200 years. 
D) Climate was warmest approximately 10 million years ago and coolest about 56 million years ago.

Question 16

During the last 800 000,climate reconstructions show that CO2 never changed more than how many ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1000 years,though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years?

Accepted Answer

A) 30. 
B) 60. 
C) 120. 
D) 240. 
A) 30. 
B) 60. 
C) 120. 
D) 240.

Question 17

Currently,atmospheric methane (CH4)concentrations are increasing at a rate faster than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

Question 18

Of the following greenhouse gases,which have actually decreased in atmospheric concentrations during the past 30 years?

Accepted Answer

A) Methane (CH4). 
B) Carbon dioxide (CO2). 
C) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
D) Nitrous oxides (N2O). 
A) Methane (CH4). 
B) Carbon dioxide (CO2). 
C) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). 
D) Nitrous oxides (N2O).

Question 19

Seasonal fluctuations in CO2 emissions reflect which of the following?

Accepted Answer

A) Increased fuel use for home and building heat in winter months. 
B) Seasonal changes in vegetation cover in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. 
C) Geothermal activity,which is highest in the fall. 
D) Summer melting in the tundra. 
A) Increased fuel use for home and building heat in winter months. 
B) Seasonal changes in vegetation cover in the higher latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere. 
C) Geothermal activity,which is highest in the fall. 
D) Summer melting in the tundra.

Question 20

Though the United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol,the U.S.Congress never ratified it.

Accepted Answer

A) True 
 B)False

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

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH4)and carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations and temperatures.

Firsthand,reliable scientific measurements of climate only date back approximately 140 years.

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

Which correctly describes carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations over the past 800,000 years?

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

The use of tree rings to study past climates is known as dendroclimatology.

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Which of the following is an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of the world's oceans?

Which correctly pairs the rate of evaporation for 16O as compared to 18O with how it condenses?

In May 2013,the Mauna Loa Observatory recorded the highest CO2 concentrations on record.

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ice cores and a climate indicated by a higher ice core 18O/16O ratio?

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

With reference to the above figure,which describes change over the span of 70 million years of Earth's climate?

During the last 800 000,climate reconstructions show that CO2 never changed more than how many ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1000 years,though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years?

Currently,atmospheric methane (CH4)concentrations are increasing at a rate faster than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Of the following greenhouse gases,which have actually decreased in atmospheric concentrations during the past 30 years?

Seasonal fluctuations in CO2 emissions reflect which of the following?

Though the United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol,the U.S.Congress never ratified it.

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

Oceans, coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters

Exam 11: Climate Change

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

Ice core analysis shows a close correlation between atmospheric methane (CH4)and carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations and temperatures.

Firsthand,reliable scientific measurements of climate only date back approximately 140 years.

In which of the following ways is the study of tree rings,speleothems,and corals for understanding past climatic conditions similar?

Which correctly describes carbon dioxide (CO2)concentrations over the past 800,000 years?

Vulnerability to sea level rise is not uniformly distributed across the world.

The use of tree rings to study past climates is known as dendroclimatology.

Ice shelves and icebergs are an example of sea ice.

Which of the following is an example of an action an individual can take to help mitigate against climate change?

Which of the following accurately describes 18O/16O ratios of the world's oceans?

Which correctly pairs the rate of evaporation for 16O as compared to 18O with how it condenses?

In May 2013,the Mauna Loa Observatory recorded the highest CO2 concentrations on record.

Which of the following correctly lists the climate indicated by a lower 18O/16O ratio in ice cores and a climate indicated by a higher ice core 18O/16O ratio?

What methods do scientists use to reconstruct both long-term and shorter term climate histories?

With reference to the above figure,which describes change over the span of 70 million years of Earth's climate?

During the last 800 000,climate reconstructions show that CO2 never changed more than how many ppm upward or downward in any span of less than 1000 years,though it has risen by this amount in the last 13 years?

Currently,atmospheric methane (CH4)concentrations are increasing at a rate faster than carbon dioxide (CO2).

Of the following greenhouse gases,which have actually decreased in atmospheric concentrations during the past 30 years?

Seasonal fluctuations in CO2 emissions reflect which of the following?

Though the United States is a signatory to the Kyoto Protocol,the U.S.Congress never ratified it.

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

Oceans, coastal Processes, and Wind Processes

Glacial and Periglacial Landscapes

The Geography of Soils

Ecosystem Essentials

Terrestrial Biomes

Filters