Evidence Of the Warming Globe - Middle School Earth and Space Science
Card 1 of 25
Which option is evidence of warming: (A) ocean heat content increases, (B) ocean heat content decreases?
Which option is evidence of warming: (A) ocean heat content increases, (B) ocean heat content decreases?
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A: Ocean heat content increases. More heat stored in oceans indicates warming.
A: Ocean heat content increases. More heat stored in oceans indicates warming.
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Which pattern is evidence of warming: (A) more record highs than lows, or (B) more record lows than highs?
Which pattern is evidence of warming: (A) more record highs than lows, or (B) more record lows than highs?
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A: More record highs than record lows. Warming shifts temperature distribution toward extremes.
A: More record highs than record lows. Warming shifts temperature distribution toward extremes.
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Which instrument provides direct, continuous measurements of atmospheric $CO_2$ at sites like Mauna Loa?
Which instrument provides direct, continuous measurements of atmospheric $CO_2$ at sites like Mauna Loa?
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Infrared gas analyzer (continuous atmospheric $CO_2$ monitoring). Measures $CO_2$ concentration in parts per million continuously.
Infrared gas analyzer (continuous atmospheric $CO_2$ monitoring). Measures $CO_2$ concentration in parts per million continuously.
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What is the name of the long-term record showing rising atmospheric $CO_2$ since 1958?
What is the name of the long-term record showing rising atmospheric $CO_2$ since 1958?
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The Keeling Curve. Named after Charles Keeling who started the measurements.
The Keeling Curve. Named after Charles Keeling who started the measurements.
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Which type of proxy evidence uses trapped air bubbles to measure past atmospheric $CO_2$?
Which type of proxy evidence uses trapped air bubbles to measure past atmospheric $CO_2$?
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Ice cores (air bubbles preserve past $CO_2$ levels). Ancient air trapped in ice preserves atmospheric composition.
Ice cores (air bubbles preserve past $CO_2$ levels). Ancient air trapped in ice preserves atmospheric composition.
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Which proxy evidence uses annual growth rings to infer past climate conditions such as temperature?
Which proxy evidence uses annual growth rings to infer past climate conditions such as temperature?
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Tree rings (dendrochronology). Width and density of rings reflect temperature and moisture.
Tree rings (dendrochronology). Width and density of rings reflect temperature and moisture.
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Which evidence best indicates warming when the global average sea level is rising over decades?
Which evidence best indicates warming when the global average sea level is rising over decades?
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Thermal expansion of seawater plus land-ice melt. Warmer water expands and ice melting adds volume.
Thermal expansion of seawater plus land-ice melt. Warmer water expands and ice melting adds volume.
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What is the most direct evidence that Earth is warming from the ocean perspective?
What is the most direct evidence that Earth is warming from the ocean perspective?
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Increasing ocean heat content. Oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat from warming.
Increasing ocean heat content. Oceans absorb over 90% of excess heat from warming.
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Which observation is evidence of warming in the cryosphere: increasing or decreasing Arctic sea ice extent?
Which observation is evidence of warming in the cryosphere: increasing or decreasing Arctic sea ice extent?
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Decreasing Arctic sea ice extent. Warmer temperatures melt more sea ice each summer.
Decreasing Arctic sea ice extent. Warmer temperatures melt more sea ice each summer.
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Which change in glaciers is evidence of global warming: advancing, retreating, or stable length?
Which change in glaciers is evidence of global warming: advancing, retreating, or stable length?
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Retreating (net mass loss). Warmer temperatures cause more melting than accumulation.
Retreating (net mass loss). Warmer temperatures cause more melting than accumulation.
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What is the term for water stored as ice on land that can raise sea level when it melts?
What is the term for water stored as ice on land that can raise sea level when it melts?
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Land ice (glaciers and ice sheets). Distinguished from sea ice which doesn't raise sea level.
Land ice (glaciers and ice sheets). Distinguished from sea ice which doesn't raise sea level.
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Which satellite measurement provides strong evidence of warming: decreasing or increasing Greenland ice mass?
Which satellite measurement provides strong evidence of warming: decreasing or increasing Greenland ice mass?
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Decreasing Greenland ice mass. Satellites detect gravity changes from ice mass loss.
Decreasing Greenland ice mass. Satellites detect gravity changes from ice mass loss.
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Which trend in Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover is evidence of warming: increase or decrease?
Which trend in Northern Hemisphere spring snow cover is evidence of warming: increase or decrease?
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Decrease in spring snow cover. Earlier spring melt reduces snow-covered area.
Decrease in spring snow cover. Earlier spring melt reduces snow-covered area.
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What is the term for the rise in average global surface temperature over multiple decades?
What is the term for the rise in average global surface temperature over multiple decades?
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Global warming (long-term increase in global mean temperature). Distinguished from short-term weather variations.
Global warming (long-term increase in global mean temperature). Distinguished from short-term weather variations.
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Which gas is the most important human-caused greenhouse gas by total emissions: $CO_2$ or $O_2$?
Which gas is the most important human-caused greenhouse gas by total emissions: $CO_2$ or $O_2$?
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$CO_2$. $O_2$ is not a greenhouse gas; $CO_2$ traps heat.
$CO_2$. $O_2$ is not a greenhouse gas; $CO_2$ traps heat.
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Which observation is evidence of warming: earlier spring events (earlier blooms) or later spring events?
Which observation is evidence of warming: earlier spring events (earlier blooms) or later spring events?
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Earlier spring events (phenology shifts earlier). Warmer springs trigger earlier biological responses.
Earlier spring events (phenology shifts earlier). Warmer springs trigger earlier biological responses.
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Which change in permafrost is evidence of warming: thickening and freezing or thawing and shrinking?
Which change in permafrost is evidence of warming: thickening and freezing or thawing and shrinking?
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Thawing and shrinking permafrost. Frozen ground thaws as temperatures rise.
Thawing and shrinking permafrost. Frozen ground thaws as temperatures rise.
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Which dataset is a direct thermometer-based record used to track global temperature since the late $1800$s?
Which dataset is a direct thermometer-based record used to track global temperature since the late $1800$s?
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Instrumental surface temperature record (land and ocean thermometers). Combines weather station and ship measurements globally.
Instrumental surface temperature record (land and ocean thermometers). Combines weather station and ship measurements globally.
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Identify the evidence of warming if a graph shows global mean temperature rising from $0.0^{\circ}C$ to $+1.0^{\circ}C$ anomaly.
Identify the evidence of warming if a graph shows global mean temperature rising from $0.0^{\circ}C$ to $+1.0^{\circ}C$ anomaly.
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A positive temperature trend (warming). Positive anomaly means warmer than baseline period.
A positive temperature trend (warming). Positive anomaly means warmer than baseline period.
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Identify the evidence of warming if sea level rises by $3\ \text{mm}$ each year for $10$ years.
Identify the evidence of warming if sea level rises by $3\ \text{mm}$ each year for $10$ years.
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Rising sea level indicates warming-related expansion and ice melt. Consistent rise over time indicates warming effects.
Rising sea level indicates warming-related expansion and ice melt. Consistent rise over time indicates warming effects.
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Which stratospheric temperature trend is evidence consistent with greenhouse-gas warming?
Which stratospheric temperature trend is evidence consistent with greenhouse-gas warming?
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Stratosphere cooling. Less heat reaches the stratosphere as greenhouse gases trap it below.
Stratosphere cooling. Less heat reaches the stratosphere as greenhouse gases trap it below.
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Which proxy evidence uses layered mud on lake or ocean floors to infer past climate conditions?
Which proxy evidence uses layered mud on lake or ocean floors to infer past climate conditions?
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Sediment cores. Layers accumulate annually, preserving fossils and chemicals that indicate past climate.
Sediment cores. Layers accumulate annually, preserving fossils and chemicals that indicate past climate.
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Which proxy evidence uses annual growth rings to infer past temperature and precipitation patterns?
Which proxy evidence uses annual growth rings to infer past temperature and precipitation patterns?
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Tree rings. Ring width varies with temperature and moisture, creating a yearly climate record.
Tree rings. Ring width varies with temperature and moisture, creating a yearly climate record.
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Which proxy evidence uses trapped air bubbles to measure past greenhouse gas levels linked to temperature?
Which proxy evidence uses trapped air bubbles to measure past greenhouse gas levels linked to temperature?
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Ice cores. Ancient air trapped in ice preserves atmospheric composition from thousands of years ago.
Ice cores. Ancient air trapped in ice preserves atmospheric composition from thousands of years ago.
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Which option is stronger evidence of climate change: a $1$-day heat wave or a $30$-year temperature trend?
Which option is stronger evidence of climate change: a $1$-day heat wave or a $30$-year temperature trend?
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A $30$-year temperature trend. Climate change requires long-term trends, not short-term weather events.
A $30$-year temperature trend. Climate change requires long-term trends, not short-term weather events.
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