Blue Planet: Finding the Cause

Select all the factors below that contribute to Earth's ability to support liquid water - Answer- Albedo Distance from the sun Atmosphere As you learned in Our Blue Planet, there is one key factor that this simulation does not take into account. What major factor is missing? - Answer- Atmospheric Composition What are the maximum and minimum albedo values for these planets? - Answer- Maximum: 0.76 Minimum: 0.1 Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -1st - Answer- -19.1 Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -2nd - Answer- 2.7 While we can calculate the temperature of an asphalt-covered Earth, is this realistic? - Answer- No, it's not feasible to pave the oceans because asphalt is heavy and would sink. Temperature of Earth (degrees C) -3rd - Answer- -99.7 While we can calculate the temperature of a snow-covered Earth, do you think this is realistic? - Answer- Yes, shifts in Earth's climate could bring about a snow-covered Earth. Make a hypothesis - what will the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo and the aerosol it releases do to Earth's albedo and temperature? - Answer- The aerosol increased albedo, decreasing Earth's temperature Can natural processes change the albedo of the Earth? - Answer- Temperature of Earth after eruption (degrees C): - 19.8 Degrees colder (C): 1.6 Was your hypothesis supported by the data? (see #9) - Answer- Yes it was supported What trends did you notice about snow and ice in Then and Now? - Answer- Levels of snow and ice are generally decreasing What is the most likely direct cause of the snow and ice loss you observed in Then and Now? - Answer- Increasing temperature What will