Question

1. According to the lecture, we are currently in an ice age and have been for the last 2.8 million years. a. True b. False

2. According to the lecture, we are within an interglacial period today. a. True b. False

3. According to the lecture, methane stays in the atmosphere for how long? a. 10 years b. 100 years c. 1000 years d. Forever

Answer 1

Answer: 1- FALSE

2- TRUE

3- Option (A)

Explanation: The earth at present, is still experiencing the Quaternary ice age that started approximately 2.6 million years ago. And this will continue if there is not any frequent increase in the amount of green house gases and insolation amount.

Currently, we are in a Quaternary ice age but the amount of insolation as well the green house gases has been constantly increasing, thereby increasing the earth's global temperature. Due to this changing temperature, the earth now is included in the inter-glacial period.

Methane is a green house gas, that has the capacity to be trapped in the atmosphere for nearly 10 years.