 |
| X-ray coral samples from Hawaii taken from different time periods (Rothwell) |
|
|
Paleoceanography, Paleoclimatology, & Global Change
Cluster Members Climate exerts a powerful influence on the diversity and organization of continental and marine ecosystems. Researchers in this cluster investigate the big picture of Earth's marine and terrestrial history and past climates and biogeochemical environments. They develop tools and procedures that are used to investigate the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the seafloor or preserved sediments that contain the store of Earth's historical record.
These past records are used to understand the mechanisms of historical ocean-circulation patterns, global climate changes, past carbon and nutrient cycles, and the subsequent variations in Earth's floral and faunal populations.
Paleoceanography involves not only the consideration of traditional disciplines, such as sedimentary geology and paelontology, but also includes newer approaches, such as elemental and isotopic analysis and modeling of the Earth's systems. With this knowledge, more recent human influences on global climate change can be better understood, and insight is gained into the global carbon cycle and biosphere changes, including extinction events. |
