Paleoclimate

1 credits · Undergraduate

Through our planetary history and in the face of changing solar luminosity, volcanic eruptions and asteroid impacts, Earth has maintained a temperate climate and sustained a liquid water ocean with active biological activity. Earth has also experienced severe, transient perturbations to the climate system, with global warming and cooling episodes that have impacted plant, animal and microbial life. We will explore the history of Earth's climate, with a focus on reading the ancient rock record for clues about past climate conditions. Topics covered: climate regulation, coevolution of climate/biosphere, global warming, cooling episodes, geochemical and sedimentological paleoclimate proxies.