Which theory describes the collective effects of changes in Earth's movements on its climate over thousands of years?

Key Points

• Milankovitch theory describes the collective effects of changes in Earth's movements on its climate over thousands of years.
• These movements include changes in the Earth's eccentricity, axial tilt, and precession, collectively known as Milankovitch cycles.
• The theory suggests that these cycles influence the distribution of solar energy received by the Earth, impacting long-term climate patterns such as ice ages.
• Named after Serbian geophysicist and astronomer Milutin Milankovitch, who extensively studied and developed this theory in the early 20th century.

Additional Information

• Milankovitch cycles operate over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years, making them significant for understanding past climate changes and predicting future trends.
• The theory has been supported by evidence from ice core samples, ocean sediments, and other geological data that show periodic climate changes corresponding to the cycles.
• While Milankovitch cycles play a crucial role in long-term climate patterns, other factors such as greenhouse gas concentrations and volcanic activity also contribute to Earth's climate system.