What is orbital forcing?
Q: What is orbital forcing?
A: Orbital forcing refers to the effect on climate that results from slow changes in the tilt of Earth's axis and shape of its orbit.
Q: How do orbital changes affect the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth?
A: Orbital changes can alter the amount of sunlight reaching the Earth by up to 25% at mid-latitudes.
Q: What is the meaning of the term "forcing" in the context of climate?
A: In the context of climate, the term "forcing" refers to a physical process that affects the Earth's climate.
Q: What is the relationship between orbital forcing and ice age cycles?
A: Orbital forcing is believed to be responsible for the timing of ice age cycles, as the timing of past glacial periods coincides very well with the predictions of the Milankovitch theory.
Q: Can the effects of orbital forcing be calculated into the future?
A: Yes, the effects of orbital forcing can be calculated into the future.
Q: What is the pattern of the cycles shown in the graphic in the text?
A: The cycles shown in the graphic have a strong 100,000 year periodicity, and there is a striking asymmetry of the curves. Ice ages deepen by progressive steps, but the recovery to interglacial conditions occurs in one big step.
Q: Is orbital forcing a natural phenomenon?
A: Yes, orbital forcing is a natural phenomenon resulting from slow changes in the tilt of Earth's axis and shape of its orbit.
