How Does Land Cover Affect Global Temperature?
ES1504  Polar Caps

Because Earth's icy white polar caps reflect most of the energy that strikes them, little energy is available to be absorbed. Once snow or ice is present, it continues reflecting away the energy that might melt it.

Seasonal changes affect the size of both the Antarctic and the Arctic polar caps through the year. Consider how albedo changes as Earth's polar caps grow and shrink.

Jennifer Loomis, TERC
Earth as viewed from above the South Pole 


	

 	

		
			
	

	
	

		 
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