The Little Ice Age

Climate has a profound effect on our planet and all of whom are on it. From the fluctuations in temperatures to the fluctuations in weather patterns there are constant changes in our climate. With these changes there could be both good and bad affects that come along with these changes. For example, the Ice Age killed off much of the ancient species that once lived on our planet, like the mammoth, or the Global Warming that we are facing today which could cause famines. Whether these changes occur as a natural cycle or because of man they all have and will affect us. One of these climate changes that will be discussed here is The Little Ice Age. In order for one to truly appreciate what The Little Ice Age is they must also understand when it occurred, what caused it, and how it effects the environment.

The Little Ice Age occurred during the era from approximately the 1300 to 1850 A.D. (Little Ice Age, n.d.). During this era "the Northern Hemisphere experienced colder than normal temperatures" (Little Ice Age, n.d.). Because we call it 'The Little Ice Age' it shows that there was a considerably larger ice age in the past (Tkachuck, 1983). This was the case and during this 'Great Ice Age' the glaciers were much more impressive and the climate was much cooler and moister that it is today (Ray, 1992). Although the 'Great Ice Age' had a huge impact on life on Earth the Little Ice Age was not as dramatic. It had a lesser change in temperate, glaciers, and moisture, however; it did have some of an impact. Just as with the controversy of Global Warming being blamed on human activity, many people have blamed The Little Ice Age on many different 'natural' sources.

There could have been a large amount of things that could have caused the Little Ice Age to occur. These causes were natural due to the fact that there was little or no human activity that could have had been the cause of the Little Ice Age. There are a few scientists that believe the "major volcanic eruption in 1258 A.D. and another in 1600 A.D." assisted in the decrease in temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere (Little Ice Age, n.d.). Another possible cause for The Little Ice Age is the solar activity (Little Ice Age, n.d.). The scientists believe that the "unusually low solar activity, indicated by little or no sunspot activity, between 1643 and 1715 likely triggered the Little Ice Age in Europe and North America" (Little Ice Age, n.d.). No matter what the causes are there is bound to be some type of effect on the planet.

The Little Ice Age had some impact on our Earth. It caused the ice around Greenland to cut it off from other parts of the world. The "canals in Holland routinely froze solid" (Little Ice Age, n.d.). Also the "glaciers advanced in the Alps" (Little Ice Age, n.d.). One of the other effects that the Little Ice Age had on the Earth was "present in any direction around Iceland in 1695" (Little Ice Age, n.d.). Even though, The Little Ice Age did not have much effect on the Earth as the 'Great Ice Age,' it is really difficult for anyone to really decide exactly what caused it.

The Little Ice Age was much like its larger cousin the 'Great Ice Age.' It caused the change in temperature, moisture, and weather patterns. There were many natural causes that brought on The Little Ice Age. Along with The Little Ice Age there have been some effects on the Earth. In conclusion, even though the Earth is warming and could be caused by human activity, there is a chance for the Earth to go through another Ice Age.

References

Little Ice Age. (n.d.). Retrieved October 7, 2009, from Goddard Space Flight Center:

http://www.gsfc.nasa.gov/scienceques2005/20051128.htm

Ray, L. L. (1992). The Great Ice Age. Retrieved October 7, 2009, from USGS science for a changing world:

http://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/ice_age/ice_age.pdf

Tkachuck, R. D. (1983). The Little Ice Ag. Retrieved October 7, 2009, from Geoscience Research Institute:

http://www.grisda.org/origins/10051.htm