The Medieval Warming Period and

The Little Ice Age

Medieval Warm Period (MWP)

• The Medieval Warm Period (MWP) or Medieval Climate Optimum was an unusually warm period in history, particularly warmer in the North Atlantic region (includes North America and Europe).

• Lasted from about 800-1300 CE ≈ 500 years.

Medieval Warm Period (MWP)

Flying Buttresses

Viking Expansion

An Early MWP Viking Deck Party

Evidence Supporting MWP

Polynesian Explorers

• Colonized:– Hawaii– Easter Island– New

Zealand

THE LITTLE ICE AGE

The frozen Thames River, England 1677

The Little Ice Age (aka: LIA)

However, by the mid 1300s, temperatures

started to drop.

More Peoples Reaction

• Increased rioting – i.e. Marie Antoinette saying “Let them eat cake” - starts French Revolution

• Climate/famine/disease blamed on scapegoats: • extensive witch hunts during 14th and 15th Centuries.

What Caused LIA?

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L9zjmC8InKA

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3niR_-Kv4SM

MWP & LIA QUIZ

• ha-ha!