Milankovitch cycles
Quick Summary
Milankovitch cycles are long-term astronomical cycles that affect Earth's climate by altering the amount of solar radiation received at its surface. These cycles are driven by predictable changes in Earth's orbit around the Sun and the tilt of its axis.123
The three primary orbital parameters involved are:
* Eccentricity: The shape of Earth's orbit varies from nearly circular to elliptical over cycles of 100,000 and 413,000 years.1
* Axial Tilt (Obliquity): The tilt of Earth's axis changes between 22.1° and 24.5° over a 41,000-year cycle, influencing seasonal variations in solar radiation.1
* Precession: A wobble in Earth's axis, combined with the rotation of its orbital ellipse, creates a 26,000-year cycle that affects the timing of seasons relative to Earth's closest approach to the Sun.14
These variations in solar radiation distribution are believed to be a primary driver of glacial-interglacial cycles and other climate shifts throughout Earth's history.13
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climate changeMillennial and multimillennial variation…of Earth’s surface owing to Milankovitch variations (changes in the seasons resulting from periodic adjustments of Earth’s orbit around the Sun)—affected atmospheric circulation. The diverse changes of the past 10,000 years across the globe are difficult to summarize in capsule, but some general highlights and large-scale patterns are worthy of…
Read More…of Earth’s surface owing to Milankovitch variations (changes in the seasons resulting from periodic adjustments of Earth’s orbit around the Sun)—affected atmospheric circulation. The diverse changes of the past 10,000 years across the globe are difficult to summarize in capsule, but some general highlights and large-scale patterns are worthy of…
Read More- climate changeThe Earth system
…of glaciation was driven by cyclic changes in eccentricity as well as two other orbital parameters: precession (a change in the directional focus of Earth’s axis of rotation) and axial tilt (a change in the inclination of Earth’s axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun).…
Read More…of glaciation was driven by cyclic changes in eccentricity as well as two other orbital parameters: precession (a change in the directional focus of Earth’s axis of rotation) and axial tilt (a change in the inclination of Earth’s axis with respect to the plane of its orbit around the Sun).…
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