÷š÷š÷š÷š÷š÷š÷š Topic N8 ("The Weather and Climate Fluctuations")
'Funny weather we are having' is a statment÷š of÷š the÷š obvious÷š we
have used for generations as a greeting. When the deep cold lasts
long and heavy snow and blizzards give us the shivers we÷š replace
"funny" with something stronger, such as÷š "terrible",÷š "ghastly".
At times like these people ask what is happening to the÷š weather.
So we go to the experts, who tells us, in language appropriate to
the subject, what happened yesterday, what÷š is÷š happening÷š today,
and what might happen in the next few years. Weather and÷š climate
specialists all over the world have ammassed a÷š vast÷š quanity÷š of
information. They can describe what is happening around us.÷š With
satellites they can forecast more accurately what might happen in
the immediate future. Their research has produced evidence of why
past climatic changes took place.
÷š÷š÷š÷š There have been many climate fluctuations÷š ovver÷š th÷š 10,000
years since Britain was last covered with an ice sheet.÷š Advances
and retreats of ice in the northern hemisphere÷š during÷š the÷š past
500,000 years can be accounted for by changes in the warmth÷š from
the Sun.
÷š÷š÷š÷š This was caused by÷š alterations÷š in÷š the÷š Earth's÷š orbit÷š at
periods of 96,000, 40,000 and 20,000 years.
÷š÷š÷š÷š Although that÷š theory÷š is÷š widley÷š accepted÷š as÷š a÷š possible
explanations for ice ages, it has not been proved. More÷š than÷š 50
theories have been put forward, but only÷š a÷š few÷š have÷š not÷š been
completely dismissed.
÷š÷š÷š÷š Not long ago a new÷š theory÷š was÷š published÷š in÷š the÷š science
journal "Nature". According to÷š Dr.÷š Garry÷š Hunt,÷š of÷š University
College, intense radiations÷š from÷š the÷š nuclear÷š explosion÷š of÷š a
nearby supernova - a star - could cause the destruction÷š of÷š part
or all of the ozone layer and in this way trigger an ice age.
÷š÷š÷š÷š As for me, i like÷š Autumn÷š best÷š of÷š all.÷š The÷š days÷š become
shorter and the nights longer. It isn't so hot in÷š the÷š day-time.
The trees are covered with yellow and red leaves. At the÷š end÷š of
summer apples, pears, plums and other fruit become ripe.÷š In÷š the
South there are many oranges, peaches and tangerines.÷š Autumn÷š is
plesant when it does not rain. General Autumn is a÷š rainy÷š season
of the year. When it rains the÷š weather÷š is÷š nasty.÷š The ÷šsky÷š is
covered with heavy clouds. It drizzles. It is muddy and wet.
A*.FRM*.MAC