Earth's elliptical orbit has a measurable effect on its climate
Earth's elliptical orbit and associated orbital parameters such as eccentricity, obliquity, and precession exert a well-documented, measurable effect on global climate, ice volumes, and oceanic circulation.
The retrieved papers consistently support the well-established Milankovitch theory and broader paleoclimate research demonstrating that Earth's orbital geometry—including its orbital eccentricity (ellipticity)—drives major climatic cycles, glacial periods, monsoons, and ocean currents. None of the retrieved papers refute this fundamental geophysical consensus.
A. Berger, M. F. Loutre, J. L. Mélice. Equatorial insolation: from precession harmonics to eccentricity frequencies. 2006. https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-2-519-2006
Paper 1 demonstrates that orbital eccentricity and precession cycles drive measurable components of equatorial insolation and climate variance.
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A. Ganopolski, R. Calov. The role of orbital forcing, carbon dioxide and regolith in 100 kyr glacial cycles. 2011. https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-7-2391-2011
Paper 2 shows that Earth's orbital eccentricity successfully simulates 100-kyr glacial cycles and ice volume variations.
Lu L, Zheng X, Weber ME, Peck V, Reilly BT, Chen Z, Yan W, Chen T, Yan H, Gong X, Wu S, Zheng L, Wan S, Du Y, Tauxe L, Yang Q, Brachfeld S, Williams T, Martos YM, Du Z, Garcia M, Pérez LF, Yang H, Huang B, Warnock J, Kao SJ. Extremely poleward shift of Antarctic Circumpolar Current by eccentricity during the Last Interglacial.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-63933-x
Paper 3 establishes that eccentricity-driven orbital forcing controls low-frequency shifts in oceanic currents and regional climate.
Chu R, Wu H, Zhang J, Fang Q, Zeeden C, Chen P, Zhu R, Cui J, Zhang S, Yang T, Wang C. Orbital eccentricity and internal feedbacks drove the Triassic megamonsoon variability.. 2025. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-09295-2
Paper 5 uses data-model synthesis to link Earth's orbital variations and eccentricity to megamonsoon climate variability.
R. K. Kaufmann, K. Juselius. Glacial cycles: exogenous orbital changes vs. endogenous climate dynamics. 2010. https://doi.org/10.5194/cpd-6-585-2010
Paper 8 concludes that variations in Earth's orbit and solar insolation are necessary to accurately simulate late Quaternary glacial cycles.
Jamart V, Pas D, Hinnov LA, Spangenberg JE, Adatte T, Nielsen AT, Schovsbo NH, Thibault N, Arts M, Daley AC. Astronomical calibration of the middle Cambrian in Baltica: global carbon cycle synchronization and climate dynamics.. 2026. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-026-70651-5
Paper 9 highlights that orbital eccentricity-driven climate oscillations modulate sea-level and dust fluxes in geological climate records.
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