C
LIMATE IS MORE THAN
JUST AN EXPRESSION OF
AVERAGE ATMOSPHERIC
conditions. To accurately portray
the character of a place or an area,
variations and extremes must also
be included.
F O C U S O N C O N C E P T S
To assist you in learning
the important concepts in this
chapter, focus on the following
questions:
Why is it important to unravel
past climate changes? How are
such changes detected?
What is the composition and
structure of Earth’s atmosphere?
How is the atmosphere heated?
What are some natural causes of
climate change?
In what ways are humans
changing the composition of
the atmosphere? How is the
atmosphere responding to
these changes?
What are climate feedback
mechanisms? What part might
they play in global climate
change?
What are some possible
consequences of global
warming?
Mauna Loa Observatory, 3397 meters (11,140 feet) atop Mauna
Loa volcano is an important atmospheric research facility. For
more about the observatory, see “Did You Know” on p. 510.
(Photo by Forrest M. Mims III)