Solar activity is one of the climate-forming factors. Its action does not depend on human activities. Despite the fact that solar radiation is characterized by surprising constancy, some fluctuations were nevertheless detected, namely, 11-year and 24-year cycles of solar activity were detected. But besides them, there are other oscillations that have not been studied much. Among them is the so-called Maunder minimum (Maunder minimum).
The impact of solar activity on climate
Solar activity has a marked effect on the climate for relatively short periods of time. As a result, climatic fluctuations occur. With an increase in solar activity, the influx of short-wave ultraviolet radiation and cosmic particles increases. The total amount of solar energy entering the Earth is also increasing slightly. More significant may be the indirect effect of the growth of solar activity on the climate through an increase in the number of high cirrus clouds, which enhance the greenhouse effect.
The relationship between solar activity and climate has been confirmed through various observations and studies. The relationship between the state of the sun and the number of wars, epidemics, accidents and accidents has also been established.
Features of the Maunder minimum of solar activity
The Mounder minimum is called the deep decline in the activity of the Sun, which was observed from 1645 to 1715. During the Maunder minimum, the number of sunspots has decreased many times, and the magnetic field of the sun has weakened. Instead of the normal 50 thousand, only 50 spots were observed.
The Maunder minimum does not fit into the usual solar cycle and has a much longer duration. Its beginning was very sharp, and the end, on the contrary, was gradual. The deep phase of the minimum occurred in 1645-1700.
During the minimum, the intensity of auroras and the speed of rotation of the Sun around its axis decreased significantly.
Climatic features of the period
The Maunder minimum is considered the coldest era in modern human history. It is the bottom of the Lesser Ice Age. At the same time, many scientists consider the decrease in solar activity an insufficient factor for serious climatic changes. Frequent volcanic eruptions and the weakening of oceanic circulation are also cited as causes of cooling. Nevertheless, during this period, the global temperature decreased by about half a degree, and in winter it became colder by 1.0-1.5 о С.
Low temperatures led to snowfall and frost in the summer months, and in winter rivers such as the Thames and Danube were covered with strong ice, which allowed them to be used for fairs and sledding. In some years, even the Bosphorus Strait froze; the usually warm Adriatic Sea partially covered with ice.
In France and Germany, frosts remained all winter; there were even cases of freezing of birds on the fly. In the annals records are written about the terrible consequences of severe frosts in Russia: a large number of people died from frostbite, many had their ears and limbs frozen, their skin burst, and the bark cracked on the trees. As in Europe, the death of birds on the fly was noted. But at the same time, not every winter was so harsh.
Glaciers were rapidly advancing all over the world, and the inhabitants of Greenland were forced to leave their lands and move to the mainland.
Economic impact
The Maunder temperature minimum had a negative effect on agriculture and led to numerous crop failures and famine. In Russia, this was the era of the reign of Peter 1. Due to the low temperatures, the trees formed more dense wood. This circumstance had a positive effect on the work of the famous violinist Antonio Stradivari, who made violins from spruce.
