One large, but not often discussed, factor the drives the climate is the positions of the continents. It is thought that the Pliestocene ice age began when volcanic activity in present day Panama closed the isthmus of Panama. This caused a change in the ocean currents cutting off a heat source for the higher latitudes.
The Antarctic would not be so cold if Antartica was not there as the oceans are much better heat sinks than land. Land surrounding the Arctic keeps it colder than if it were more open.
The ulitmate global cooling theory is Snowball Earth. It theorizes that the Earth was covered with ice from pole to pole. Recent research indicates that it was more likely Slushball Earth. Either way though it would not be possible with out the continents position equatorially.
I have read and I saw this on a history channel show that because of the present day continental positions that the current warming would only delay the onset of the next ice age by 200 years.
Any thoughts?
Andreas
The Antarctic would not be so cold if Antartica was not there as the oceans are much better heat sinks than land. Land surrounding the Arctic keeps it colder than if it were more open.
The ulitmate global cooling theory is Snowball Earth. It theorizes that the Earth was covered with ice from pole to pole. Recent research indicates that it was more likely Slushball Earth. Either way though it would not be possible with out the continents position equatorially.
I have read and I saw this on a history channel show that because of the present day continental positions that the current warming would only delay the onset of the next ice age by 200 years.
Any thoughts?
Andreas
DSOs observed:
NGCs 2005, ICs 103, Other 70, Palomar GCs 6, Abell PNs 12, Herschel 400: 316.
Equipment
Celestron CPC 1100, Lunt 60mm Ha Solar Scope