Climate Change through geological time
GeoMôn has a set of posters in the Watch House visitor center depicting climate change through geological time and emphasising how it has affected the geology of Anglesey. We all know about recent Ice Ages [depicted in the first poster below] , but do you know there have been several since the earth formed, including one which covered the entire planet? Snowball earth as it is often called is illustrated below. But there have been almost constant changes in the earth’s climate, driven by a variety of external influences and by the changing distribution of land and sea. Where continents are clumped together, either at the poles or along the equator affects the redistribution of incoming solar radiation [heat] and the direction and strength of ocean currents. We have a poster for each geological period on view. Anglesey has also been affected by its [continental] drift across the planet from near the south pole to its current position in the northern hemisphere – crossing what are currently tundra, temperate, sub-tropical, equatorial and desert zones. Our rocks reflect these climatic zones, even if they were not where they currently are.
See also our latest news section for information on current climate change
What of our future ? View Climate Central’s various sea level predictions. By changing the map type predictions can be seen by year, by sea level rise etc. This link will take you to a map of Anglesey where you can choose to view by year, or by setting your own sea level rise. Climate change is a serious issue that threatens all our lives and for Anglesey, will drown quite a few important geosites.