Earth's climate changes on timescales of about 23,000 to 400,000 years caused by ________.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The Milankovich cycles include changes in the Earth's distance from the sun, the tilt of its axis, and the wobbling of its axis, which all affect the amount and distribution of solar radiation the Earth receives. These cycles cause long-term changes in the Earth's climate over tens to hundreds of thousands of years. Plate tectonics, volcanic eruptions, and sun spots can also influence the Earth's climate, but they typically operate on shorter timescales and do not explain the observed long-term climate changes. Human activity, such as burning fossil fuels and deforestation, can also contribute to climate change but is not the primary cause for the long-term changes mentioned in the question.

Earth's Climate Changes on Timescales of About 23,000 to 400,000