The scientific research suggests that about 635 million years ago the Earth was covered by ice from pole to pole in what is being described as “Snowball Earth.” This ice age was brought on by a lowering of atmospheric greenhouse gases to near-present levels through tectonically-mediated rock weathering, when the Sun was considerably dimmer than present.  The theory that due to climate change there could be a repeat of Snowball Earth is now becoming a trendy new topic in the polarized climate change debate.The scientific research suggests that about 635 million years ago the Earth was covered by ice from pole to pole in what is being described as “Snowball Earth.” This ice age was brought on by a lowering of atmospheric greenhouse gases to near-present levels through tectonically-mediated rock weathering, when the Sun was considerably dimmer than present.  The theory that due to climate change there could be a repeat of Snowball Earth is now becoming a trendy new topic in the polarized climate change debate.

Source, The Weather Channel

134 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in Death Valley California on July 10, 1913.134 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in Death Valley California on July 10, 1913.

Source, NOAA

Even though carbon dioxide is a necessary ingredient for plants to perform photosynthesis, and a critical component of our atmosphere, too much is not a good thing. The excess carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere increases global temperatures, leading to climate changes that can harm plants, animals, and humans.Even though carbon dioxide is a necessary ingredient for plants to perform photosynthesis, and a critical component of our atmosphere, too much is not a good thing. The excess carbon dioxide being added to the atmosphere increases global temperatures, leading to climate changes that can harm plants, animals, and humans.

Source, NOAA

Worldwide, in Bangladesh on April 26, 1989 in which approximately 1,300 died. In North America, the Tri-State Tornado (Missouri, Illinois and Indiana) on March 18, 1925 in which 695 died.Worldwide, in Bangladesh on April 26, 1989 in which approximately 1,300 died. In North America, the Tri-State Tornado (Missouri, Illinois and Indiana) on March 18, 1925 in which 695 died.

Source, NOAA

The effects of climate change in China have been widespread and varied. Perhaps the most significant factor has been the increase in floods. Since 1950 there has been a 700% increase in the number of floods and they are becoming more frequent and intense. Last year 36 million Chinese people were affected by flooding. The year prior was the worst in the country’s history with some 230 million people affected, 25 million acres of crops destroyed, 15 million evacuated and over a million homes destroyed. This significant increase in the number of floods and the overall increase in precipitation is most likely a consequence of climate change.he effects of climate change in China have been widespread and varied. Perhaps the most significant factor has been the increase in floods. Since 1950 there has been a 700% increase in the number of floods and they are becoming more frequent and intense. Last year 36 million Chinese people were affected by flooding. The year prior was the worst in the country’s history with some 230 million people affected, 25 million acres of crops destroyed, 15 million evacuated and over a million homes destroyed. This significant increase in the number of floods and the overall increase in precipitation is most likely a consequence of climate change.

Source, Bing.com

Even though Sandy was only a category 1 with sustained winds of 115 when it hit the U.S., the storm was exceptionally wide. This gave it the potential to drop a lot more rain than one that was smaller in width. In the United States, Hurricane Sandy affected 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine and west across the Appalachian Mountains to Michigan and Wisconsin. The storm was particularly severe in New Jersey and New York due to storm surge flooding streets, tunnels and subway lines and cutting power in and around the city.Even though Sandy was only a category 1 with sustained winds of 115 when it hit the U.S., the storm was exceptionally wide. This gave it the potential to drop a lot more rain than one that was smaller in width. In the United States, Hurricane Sandy affected 24 states, including the entire eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine and west across the Appalachian Mountains to Michigan and Wisconsin. The storm was particularly severe in New Jersey and New York due to storm surge flooding streets, tunnels and subway lines and cutting power in and around the city.

Source, NOAA

The only time a hurricane name is retired is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting of the international committee of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it. Notable Atlantic hurricanes whose names have been retired are Andrew (1992), Betsy (1956), Camille (1969), Donna (1960), Hugo (1989), Janet (1955), Katrina (2005), Sandy (2012). The only time a hurricane name is retired is if a storm is so deadly or costly that the future use of its name on a different storm would be inappropriate for obvious reasons of sensitivity. If that occurs, then at an annual meeting of the international committee of the United Nations World Meteorological Organization the offending name is stricken from the list and another name is selected to replace it. Notable Atlantic hurricanes whose names have been retired are Andrew (1992), Betsy (1956), Camille (1969), Donna (1960), Hugo (1989), Janet (1955), Katrina (2005), Sandy (2012).

Source, NOAA

Icebergs are pieces of ice that form on land and float in large lakes and the oceans. Ranging in size from ice-cube-sized chunks to ice islands the size of a small country, the North Atlantic and the cold waters surrounding Antarctica are home to most of the icebergs on Earth.  They form when chunks of ice break off from glaciers or ice shelves and travel with ocean currents. When an iceberg reaches warm waters, the new climate attacks it from all sides. The warm water laps at the iceberg edges, melting the ice and causing chunks to break off. Icebergs can develop into a variety of shapes as they break apart. Icebergs pose a danger to ships traversing the North Atlantic and the waters around Antarctica. After the Titanic sank near Newfoundland in 1912, the United States and twelve other countries formed the International Ice Patrol to warn ships of icebergs in the North Atlantic that track icebergs floating into major shipping lanes. Icebergs can also serve as tools for scientists, who study them to learn more about climate and ocean processes. By studying the factors that cause icebergs to break up, researchers can better predict how ice shelves will respond to a warming climate. Oceanographers follow icebergs because the cold freshwater they contribute to the sea can influence currents and ocean circulation far away from their origins. Icebergs are pieces of ice that form on land and float in large lakes and the oceans. Ranging in size from ice-cube-sized chunks to ice islands the size of a small country, the North Atlantic and the cold waters surrounding Antarctica are home to most of the icebergs on Earth.  They form when chunks of ice break off from glaciers or ice shelves and travel with ocean currents. When an iceberg reaches warm waters, the new climate attacks it from all sides. The warm water laps at the iceberg edges, melting the ice and causing chunks to break off. Icebergs can develop into a variety of shapes as they break apart. Icebergs pose a danger to ships traversing the North Atlantic and the waters around Antarctica. After the Titanic sank near Newfoundland in 1912, the United States and twelve other countries formed the International Ice Patrol to warn ships of icebergs in the North Atlantic that track icebergs floating into major shipping lanes. Icebergs can also serve as tools for scientists, who study them to learn more about climate and ocean processes. By studying the factors that cause icebergs to break up, researchers can better predict how ice shelves will respond to a warming climate. Oceanographers follow icebergs because the cold freshwater they contribute to the sea can influence currents and ocean circulation far away from their origins.

Source, Washington Post

The tallest tsunami ever recorded in history hit Alaska in 1964, measuring 220 feet high and claiming 107 lives. The March 28 event was brought on by the Great Alaskan Earthquake in Prince William Sound measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. Before it became a state, Hawaii was hit by a tsunami on April 1, 1946 where all the water drained from the three-mile-wide harbor at Hilo, followed by a tsunami that rushed onshore, destroying the waterfront. The process repeated itself twice and resulted in the death of more than 150 people. Although the risk is small, tsunamis are possible on the East Coast of the United States caused by underwater avalanches along the continental slope. Several other possible sources would be earthquakes and collapsing volcanoes.The tallest tsunami ever recorded in history hit Alaska in 1964, measuring 220 feet high and claiming 107 lives. The March 28 event was brought on by the Great Alaskan Earthquake in Prince William Sound measuring 9.2 on the Richter scale. Before it became a state, Hawaii was hit by a tsunami on April 1, 1946 where all the water drained from the three-mile-wide harbor at Hilo, followed by a tsunami that rushed onshore, destroying the waterfront. The process repeated itself twice and resulted in the death of more than 150 people. Although the risk is small, tsunamis are possible on the East Coast of the United States caused by underwater avalanches along the continental slope. Several other possible sources would be earthquakes and collapsing volcanoes.

Source, NOAA

The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean on Sunday, May 22, 1960. The quake was rated 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The epicenter was 350 miles south of Santiago, with Valdivia being the most affected city. The resulting tsunami affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, and Alaska. The tremor caused localized tsunamis that severely battered the Chilean coast with waves up to 82 feet. The main tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean and devastated Hilo, Hawaii. Waves as high as 35 feet were recorded 6,200 miles from the epicenter, and as far away as Japan. The death tolls from the disaster are not certain, ranging from 2,231, 3,000, or 5,700 to a staggering 6,000 killed.The 1960 Valdivia earthquake or Great Chilean on Sunday, May 22, 1960. The quake was rated 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. The epicenter was 350 miles south of Santiago, with Valdivia being the most affected city. The resulting tsunami affected southern Chile, Hawaii, Japan, the Philippines, eastern New Zealand, southeast Australia, and Alaska. The tremor caused localized tsunamis that severely battered the Chilean coast with waves up to 82 feet. The main tsunami raced across the Pacific Ocean and devastated Hilo, Hawaii. Waves as high as 35 feet were recorded 6,200 miles from the epicenter, and as far away as Japan. The death tolls from the disaster are not certain, ranging from 2,231, 3,000, or 5,700 to a staggering 6,000 killed.

Source, Washington Post