(1605) Milankovitch

Abstract

The Master thesis at hand, entitles “Milankovitch Cycles and climate change” aims to study climate changes that occurred until this day, as well as an attempt to forecast the changes that might occur in the future with the application of the astronomic theory of climate change (Milankovitch Cycles). The First Chapter, “An analysis of the climate of the Earth in the past and methods of observation” attempts to understand and analyse climate changes that took place during the Precambrian years until the Holocene era of the Tetriary period (today). Additionally, this chapter presents the basic methods of studying climate changes by examining ice cores, tree rings and oceans’ oxygen isotope. Moreover, Chapter Two “Theories and mechanisms of climate changes” outlines some of the basic theories and mechanisms that contributed in the increasing velocity of climate change. Some of these basic theories and mechanisms are the theory of plate tectonics, the formation of continents, the theory of volcanic activity, the ocean circulation, the change of sea levels, changes in solar activity, changes in the magnetic field of the Earth and the effect of carbon dioxide emissions on climate change. Chapter Three, “The Astronomic theory of climate change”, refers to the Astronomical theory of Paleoclimate (Milankovitch Theory) and introduces the evolution of this theory through a historical overview. Furthermore, Milankovitch Cycles are reported in detail, the eccentricity of Earth's orbit around the Sun and the inclination of the Earth's axis as well as the precession of the equinoxes. Subsequently, a current state of the Cycles is made as well as the course that will follow after thousands of years. Last, but not least, the Chapter Four “Climate change in the past, present and future-Milankovitch Cycles and climate forecasting models” attempts to understand and analyse the degree that periodicity of Milankovitch Cycles is affecting climate change. In addition, it presents a future climate change forecast in conjunction with Milankovitch Cylces. Closing, this chapter, an analysis of the role of climate change models is provided, in predicting future temperature and sets climate models used by the IPCC. It also provides results which emerge from global warming and the increase in CO2 concentrations in the atmosphere.