Frequency variations of the Earth's obliquity and the 100-kyr ice-age cycles
Article Abstract:
Periodic changes in the Earth's orbital obliquity are a possible cause for the 100,000-year climatic cycle that in turn causes ice ages to recur at fixed intervals. These ice ages along with other less drastic climatic variations result from fluctuations in the seasonal distribution of solar radiation. Scientists have long debated whether orbital eccentricities, obliquity or precession of equinoxes brought on these fluctuations. However, a new analysis of the orbital data indicates that variations in obliquity are sufficient to account for the 100,000 year cycle.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1992
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Glacial climate instability in the northeast Pacific ocean
Article Abstract:
Significant climate variations are evident during the last glacial period from North Pacific Ocean sediment core data despite the belief that glacial and interglacial periods had stable climates. The rapid melt and refreeze of the Laurentide ice sheet during the glacial period may explain the climate changes through both fluctuations in ice thickness and the influence of the ice sheet on atmospheric circulation.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1995
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Stabilization of the Earth's obliquity by the Moon
Article Abstract:
The Moon most likely acts as a climate regulator for the Earth because of its stabilizing effect on the Earth's obliquity. Projections of the Earth's original spin rate with estimates of its initial obliquity reveal that without the lunar torque, the Earth's obliquity would be subject to large chaotic variations and there would be dramatic climatic variations.
Publication Name: Nature
Subject: Zoology and wildlife conservation
ISSN: 0028-0836
Year: 1993
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