Milankovitch Cycles
Cyclical variations in Earth's orbital eccentricity, axial tilt (obliquity), and precession that alter the seasonal and latitudinal distribution of solar insolation.
Governing formula
Eccentricity (100ky), Obliquity (41ky), Precession (23ky)
SI unit
Geologic Climate Cycles (Years)
In depth
Formulated by Milutin Milankovitch. Eccentricity (~100,000 yr), obliquity (~41,000 yr), and precession (~23,000 yr) combine to modulate high-latitude summer insolation, serving as the primary driver of Quaternary ice age glacial-interglacial cycles.
Examples in the real world
Minimization of high-latitude Northern Hemisphere summer insolation initiating major continental glaciation epochs.