Year 10 - Geography
Evidence for climate change in the Quaternary period
Climate change
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This pupil-friendly study guide includes a unit summary, clear notes, common mistakes, and quick questions with answers.
Unit Summary
This unit teaches pupils about the evidence, causes and impacts of climate change. Pupils learn that climate change is not just a recent trend but that it has occurred natuarlly over geological time. Pupils will also learn about the strategic options associated with mitigation and adaptation.
Lesson Summary
You will learn to identify evidence for climate change in the Quaternary period.
Key Notes
- Climate has changed in the past through natural causes.
- Evidence for natural climate change include ice cores, tree rings and historical sources.
- Evidence can be used to reconstruct climate change from the Quaternary to the present day.
Vocabulary To Learn
- Quaternary period: the period of geological time from 2.6 million years ago to the present
- climate change: a long-term change in Earth's climate patterns
- ice core: a cylinder of ice extracted from an ice sheet or glacier which is used to analyse past climate conditions
Common Mistakes To Avoid
- Climate change has only happened recently.
3 Quick Questions (With Answers)
1. Explain this geography topic using two clear key points.
Climate has changed in the past through natural causes. Evidence for natural climate change include ice cores, tree rings and historical sources.
2. Define this geography term and use it in an example. 'Quaternary period'
the period of geological time from 2.6 million years ago to the present.
3. Correct this common geography misunderstanding.
Mistake: Climate change has only happened recently. Correction: The Earth's climate patterns have changed numerous times in the past, for example there have been around 50 cycles of glacial (cold) phases and interglacial (warmer) phases in the Quaternary period.
More Lessons In This Unit
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