Assignment no.2: Climate Change
1. Explain how volcanic eruption can affect climate change?
Volcanic eruptions can have a significant impact on climate change, primarily by
injecting large amounts of ash, gas, and aerosols into the atmosphere. During an
eruption, volcanoes release large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2), water vapor (H2O),
and sulfur dioxide (SO2) into the atmosphere. Carbon dioxide is a greenhouse gas that
traps heat and contributes to global warming, while sulfur dioxide reacts with other
gases in the atmosphere to form sulfate aerosols, which can reflect sunlight and cool the
planet. The cooling effect of sulfate aerosols from volcanic eruptions can last for a few
years, while the warming effect of carbon dioxide can last for centuries. The net effect
of an eruption on global temperatures depends on the amount of carbon dioxide and
sulfur dioxide released, the height of the eruption column, and the latitude of the
eruption. Large volcanic eruptions can also have regional impacts on weather patterns
and precipitation, leading to droughts or flooding. In some cases, volcanic activity can
also trigger secondary hazards like landslides, lahars (mudflows), and tsunamis, which
can cause additional damage and affect the environment and climate.
2. What is Orbital changes according to Milankovitch Theory?
According to the Milankovitch theory, orbital changes refer to periodic changes
in Earth’s orbital characteristics such as eccentricity, obliquity, and precession. These
cycles control how much sunlight Earth receives, thus affecting its climate.
3. Explain the Carbon Dioxide Theory.
The carbon dioxide theory states that as the amount of carbon dioxide increases, the
atmosphere becomes opaque over a larger frequency interval and outgoing radiation is
trapped more effectively near the Earth’s surface. This causes temperatures to rise due
to the absorption of infrared radiation by carbon dioxide molecules. The theory is based
on the fundamental physics of how gases absorb and re-radiate heat, and has been
supported by numerous lines of evidence, including direct measurements of
atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations, satellite observations of the Earth’s energy
budget, and computer simulations of the Earth’s climate.
4. Explain how Human activities contribute to climate change?
Human activities are a major contributor to climate change, primarily through the
release of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. Greenhouse gases, such as carbon
