ESS200A
Prof. Jin-Yi Yu
Insolation
Control of Monsoons
qMonsoon circulations exit on Earth because the land responds to seasonal changes in solar radiation more quickly than does the ocean.
qChanges in
insolation over orbital time scales
have driven major changes in the
strength of the summer monsoons.
qChanges of 12% in the amount of insolation received at low latitudes have caused large changes in heating of tropical landmass and in the strength of summer monsoons at a cycle near 23,000
years in length.
(from
Earth’s Climate: Past and Future)