Milankovitchsyklitmaan

Milankovitch cycles, named after Serbian astronomer and geophysicist Milutin Milankovitch, describe long-term variations in Earth's orbit around the Sun and its axial tilt. These cyclical changes are believed to be a primary driver of Earth's climate patterns, particularly the glacial-interglacial cycles of the Quaternary period. The cycles occur over tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of years and influence the amount and distribution of solar radiation reaching Earth's surface.

The three main components of Milankovitch cycles are: eccentricity, axial tilt (obliquity), and precession. Eccentricity refers to the shape of Earth's orbit, which varies from nearly circular to slightly elliptical over approximately 100,000 and 400,000-year periods. Axial tilt, or obliquity, describes the angle of Earth's rotational axis relative to its orbital plane, fluctuating between 22.1 and 24.5 degrees over a cycle of about 41,000 years. Precession involves the wobble of Earth's axis, which alters the timing of seasons in relation to Earth's position in its orbit, with a cycle of roughly 26,000 years.

These orbital variations affect the intensity of seasons and the total amount of solar energy received at different latitudes. When the cycles combine in a way that reduces summer solar radiation in the Northern Hemisphere, it can lead to cooler summers, allowing snow and ice to accumulate year-round. This buildup of ice sheets is thought to trigger glacial periods. Conversely, when the cycles favor warmer summers and more direct sunlight at high latitudes, ice sheets can melt, leading to interglacial periods. While Milankovitch cycles provide a strong astronomical explanation for long-term climate change, other factors like greenhouse gas concentrations and tectonic activity also play a role in Earth's complex climate system.