EARTH SCIENCE
CLIMATE AND ENVIRONMENTAL CHANGE
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Question
[CLICK ON ANY CHOICE TO KNOW THE RIGHT ANSWER]
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Scientists can tell how climate has changed by how quickly the ice cores melt
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Scientists can study the colour of the cores
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Scientists are able to study the gases and chemicals in the cores
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Scientists can study the taste of ice cores to see how climate has changed
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Detailed explanation-1: -By measuring the ratios of different water isotopes in polar ice cores, we can determine how temperature in Antarctica and Greenland has changed in the past.
Detailed explanation-2: -By looking at past concentrations of greenhouse gasses in layers in ice cores, scientists can calculate how modern amounts of carbon dioxide and methane compare to those of the past, and, essentially, compare past concentrations of greenhouse gasses to temperature. Ice coring has been around since the 1950s.
Detailed explanation-3: -The isotopes of hydrogen and oxygen preserved in ice cores can tell us about temperatures of past climates. Similarly, isotopes of other elements give clues to past environments.
Detailed explanation-4: -Higher temperatures in the polar regions melt sea ice and reduce seasonal snow cover, exposing a darker ocean and land surface that can absorb more heat, causing further warming.