Paleoclimatology

@article{doi101126science1443619719a,
    author = "Durham, J.",
    title = "Paleoclimatology: Climates of the Past . An introduction to paleoclimatology. Martin Schwarzbach. Translated from the German second edition by Richard O. Muir. Van Nostrand, Princeton, N.J., 1963. xii + 328 pp. Illus. $10.75.",
    year = "1964",
    journal = "Science",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/aff1784f6a272697cb32b574c9a97f5a42912827",
    doi = "10.1126/science.144.3619.719.a",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "3619",
    pages = "719-719",
    semanticscholar_id = "aff1784f6a272697cb32b574c9a97f5a42912827",
    volume = "144"
}

@article{heusser1965climates,
    author = "Heusser, Calvin J. and Schwarzbach, Martin and Muir, Richard O.",
    title = "Climates of the Past: An Introduction to Paleoclimatology",
    year = "1965",
    journal = "Geographical Review",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.2307/213148",
    doi = "10.2307/213148",
    number = "3",
    pages = "453",
    volume = "55"
}

@book{dansgaard1971climatic2,
    author = "Dansgaard, W. and Johnsen, S. J. and Clausen, H. B. and Langway, C. C. J",
    title = "Climatic Record Revealed by the Camp Century Ice Core, in Turekian, K. K., ed., The Late Cenozoic Glacial Ages",
    year = "1971",
    publisher = "New Haven, Yale University Press, p. 37-56",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Dansgaard, W., Johnsen, S. J., Clausen, H. B., and Langway, C. C. J., 1971, Climatic Record Revealed by the Camp Century Ice Core, in Turekian, K. K., ed., The Late Cenozoic Glacial Ages: New Haven, Yale University Press, p. 37-56.}"
}

@incollection{wilson1973relationships,
    author = "Wilson, Lee",
    title = "Relationships Between Geomorphic Processes and Modern Climates as a Method in Paleoclimatology",
    year = "1973",
    booktitle = "Climatic Geomorphology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-15508-8\_16",
    doi = "10.1007/978-1-349-15508-8\_16",
    pages = "269-284"
}

@inproceedings{stuvier1976miami6,
    author = "Stuvier, M",
    title = "Miami conference on isotope climatology and paleoclimatology",
    year = "1976",
    booktitle = "Eos, v. 57, no. 1, p. 830-836",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Stuvier, M., 1976, Miami conference on isotope climatology and paleoclimatology: Eos, v. 57, no. 1, p. 830-836.}"
}

@book{frakes1979climates4,
    author = "Frakes, L. A",
    title = "Climates Throughout Geologic Time",
    year = "1979",
    publisher = "Amsterdam, Elsevier",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Frakes, L. A., 1979, Climates Throughout Geologic Time: Amsterdam, Elsevier.}"
}

@misc{lockwood1979causes5,
    author = "Lockwood, J. G",
    title = "Causes of Climates",
    year = "1979",
    howpublished = "London, Arnold",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Lockwood, J. G., 1979, Causes of Climates: London, Arnold.}"
}

@misc{douglas1982southern3,
    author = "Douglas, J. G. and Williams, G. W",
    title = "Southern polar forests, the early Cretaceous floras of Victoria and their paleoclimatic significance",
    year = "1982",
    howpublished = "Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 39, p. 171-185",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Douglas, J. G., and Williams, G. W., 1982, Southern polar forests, the early Cretaceous floras of Victoria and their paleoclimatic significance: Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology, v. 39, p. 171-185.}"
}

@misc{crowley1986role1,
    author = "Crowley, T. J. et al",
    title = "Role of seasonality in the evolution of climate during the last 100 million years",
    year = "1986",
    howpublished = "Science, v. 231, p. 579-584",
    note = "talkorigins\_source = {true}; raw\_reference = {Crowley, T. J. et al., 1986, Role of seasonality in the evolution of climate during the last 100 million years: Science, v. 231, p. 579-584.}"
}

@book{crossref1999paleoclimatology,
    title = "Paleoclimatology - Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary",
    year = "1999",
    booktitle = "International Geophysics",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1016/s0074-6142(99)x8001-6",
    doi = "10.1016/s0074-6142(99)x8001-6"
}

@article{holliday1999paleoclimatology,
    author = "Holliday, Vance T.",
    title = "Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing climates of the quaternary, 2nd edition",
    year = "1999",
    journal = "Geoarchaeology",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1002/(sici)1520-6548(199910)14:7<717::aid-gea5>3.0.co;2-a",
    doi = "10.1002/(sici)1520-6548(199910)14:7<717::aid-gea5>3.0.co;2-a",
    number = "7",
    pages = "717-718",
    volume = "14"
}

@article{briffa2000book,
    author = "Briffa, Keith",
    title = "Book Review: Paleoclimatology: reconstructing climates of the Quaternary (second edition)",
    year = "2000",
    journal = "The Holocene",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1191/095968300669037928",
    doi = "10.1191/095968300669037928",
    number = "4",
    pages = "537-537",
    volume = "10"
}

Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary is the second edition of Quaternary Paleoclimatology, long considered an excellent text for students in the emerging field of paleoclimate reconstruction. The new edition is a well‐written update that expands on the earlier compilation, and like its predecessor, is one of the most comprehensive overview and reference books in its field. Using just enough detailed discussion, Bradley describes a wide variety of climate records and includes the latest techniques used to reconstruct Quaternary climate. The comprehensive nature of this book can be discerned by browsing through the bibliography that covers 82 pages and contains over 1700 references.

@article{doi101029eo081i050p0061301,
    author = "Thompson, L.",
    title = "Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary (Second Edition)",
    year = "2000",
    journal = "Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union",
    abstract = "Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary is the second edition of Quaternary Paleoclimatology, long considered an excellent text for students in the emerging field of paleoclimate reconstruction. The new edition is a well‐written update that expands on the earlier compilation, and like its predecessor, is one of the most comprehensive overview and reference books in its field. Using just enough detailed discussion, Bradley describes a wide variety of climate records and includes the latest techniques used to reconstruct Quaternary climate. The comprehensive nature of this book can be discerned by browsing through the bibliography that covers 82 pages and contains over 1700 references.",
    url = "https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdfdirect/10.1029/EO081i050p00613-01",
    doi = "10.1029/EO081I050P00613-01",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "50",
    pages = "613-613",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "70",
    semanticscholar_id = "7adf41418ed49e8b9151f87ab980b7275926c507",
    volume = "81"
}

Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary is the second edition of Quaternary Paleoclimatology, long considered an excellent text for students in the emerging field of paleoclimate reconstruction. The new edition is a well‐written update that expands on the earlier compilation, and like its predecessor, is one of the most comprehensive overview and reference books in its field. Using just enough detailed discussion, Bradley describes a wide variety of climate records and includes the latest techniques used to reconstruct Quaternary climate. The comprehensive nature of this book can be discerned by browsing through the bibliography that covers 82 pages and contains over 1700 references.

@article{thompson2000paleoclimatology,
    author = "Thompson, Lonnie G.",
    title = "Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary (Second Edition)",
    year = "2000",
    journal = "Eos, Transactions American Geophysical Union",
    abstract = "Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary is the second edition of Quaternary Paleoclimatology, long considered an excellent text for students in the emerging field of paleoclimate reconstruction. The new edition is a well‐written update that expands on the earlier compilation, and like its predecessor, is one of the most comprehensive overview and reference books in its field. Using just enough detailed discussion, Bradley describes a wide variety of climate records and includes the latest techniques used to reconstruct Quaternary climate. The comprehensive nature of this book can be discerned by browsing through the bibliography that covers 82 pages and contains over 1700 references.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1029/eo081i050p00613-01",
    doi = "10.1029/eo081i050p00613-01",
    number = "50",
    pages = "613-613",
    volume = "81"
}

@article{doi101017s0016756801255599,
    author = "Palmer, D.",
    title = "BRADLEY, R. S. 1999. Paleoclimatology. Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary, 2nd ed. International Geophysics Series, Volume 64. xv+613 pp. San Diego, London, Boston, New York, Sydney, Tokyo, Toronto: Academic Press. Price £44.95 (hard covers). ISBN 0 12 124010 X.",
    year = "2001",
    journal = "Geological Magazine",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/0fbd2878143c21817bb075703a01bca6b4737d53",
    doi = "10.1017/S0016756801255599",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "4",
    pages = "499-508",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "13",
    semanticscholar_id = "0fbd2878143c21817bb075703a01bca6b4737d53",
    volume = "138"
}

@article{crossref2014paleoclimatology,
    title = "Paleoclimatology: reconstructing climates of the quaternary",
    year = "2014",
    journal = "Choice Reviews Online",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.5860/choice.169410",
    doi = "10.5860/choice.169410",
    number = "03",
    pages = "52-1442-52-1442",
    volume = "52"
}

@article{mccarroll2015holocene,
    author = "McCarroll, Danny",
    title = "Holocene book review: Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary",
    year = "2015",
    journal = "The Holocene",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1177/0959683614553155",
    doi = "10.1177/0959683614553155",
    number = "3",
    pages = "563-565",
    volume = "25"
}

This article foregrounds comparison as a key practice in science by discussing the case of chronological comparability in paleoclimatology. Based on an ethnographic study of a paleoclimate research project, I illustrate how paleoclimatologists are able to produce comparative data on and images of past climates through the use of ‘proxies’. I focus on the calibration of a type of algae as a proxy for climate variables. Such comparability is one illustration of the myriad ways in which relatively standardized forms of comparison underlie conceptions of ‘climate change’ and of ‘climate’ itself. The work of comparison discussed here has relevance for a variety of practices of qualification, quantification, monitoring, and evaluation.

@article{schinkel2016making,
    author = "Schinkel, Willem",
    title = "Making climates comparable: Comparison in paleoclimatology",
    year = "2016",
    journal = "Social Studies of Science",
    abstract = "This article foregrounds comparison as a key practice in science by discussing the case of chronological comparability in paleoclimatology. Based on an ethnographic study of a paleoclimate research project, I illustrate how paleoclimatologists are able to produce comparative data on and images of past climates through the use of ‘proxies’. I focus on the calibration of a type of algae as a proxy for climate variables. Such comparability is one illustration of the myriad ways in which relatively standardized forms of comparison underlie conceptions of ‘climate change’ and of ‘climate’ itself. The work of comparison discussed here has relevance for a variety of practices of qualification, quantification, monitoring, and evaluation.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1177/0306312716633537",
    doi = "10.1177/0306312716633537",
    number = "3",
    pages = "374-395",
    volume = "46"
}

Past cold climates are often thought to have been drier than today on land, which appears to conflict with certain recent studies projecting widespread terrestrial drying with near-future warming. However, other work has found that, over large portions of the continents, the conclusion of future drying versus wetting strongly depends on the physical property of interest. Here, it is shown that this also holds in simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM): the continents have generally wetter topsoils and higher values of common climate wetness metrics than in the preindustrial, as well as generally lower precipitation and ubiquitously lower photosynthesis (likely driven by the low CO 2), with streamflow responses falling in between. Using a large existing global pollen and plant fossil compilation, it is also confirmed that LGM grasslands and open woodlands grew at many sites of present-day forest, seasonal forests at many sites of present-day rain forest, and so forth (116–144 sites out of 302), while changes in the opposite sense were very few (9–17 sites out of 302) and spatially confined. These vegetation changes resemble the model photosynthesis responses but not the hydroclimate responses, while published lake-level changes resemble the latter but not the former. Thus, confidence in both the model hydrologic and photosynthesis projections is increased, and there is no significant conflict. Instead, paleo- and modern climate researchers must carefully define “wetting” and “drying” and, in particular, should not assume hydrologic drying on the basis of vegetation decline alone or assume vegetation stress on the basis of declines in hydroclimatic indicators.

@article{doi101175jclid1608541,
    author = "Scheff, J. and Seager, R. and Liu, Haibo and Coats, S.",
    title = "Are Glacials Dry? Consequences for Paleoclimatology and for Greenhouse Warming",
    year = "2017",
    journal = "Journal of Climate",
    abstract = "Past cold climates are often thought to have been drier than today on land, which appears to conflict with certain recent studies projecting widespread terrestrial drying with near-future warming. However, other work has found that, over large portions of the continents, the conclusion of future drying versus wetting strongly depends on the physical property of interest. Here, it is shown that this also holds in simulations of the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM): the continents have generally wetter topsoils and higher values of common climate wetness metrics than in the preindustrial, as well as generally lower precipitation and ubiquitously lower photosynthesis (likely driven by the low CO 2), with streamflow responses falling in between. Using a large existing global pollen and plant fossil compilation, it is also confirmed that LGM grasslands and open woodlands grew at many sites of present-day forest, seasonal forests at many sites of present-day rain forest, and so forth (116–144 sites out of 302), while changes in the opposite sense were very few (9–17 sites out of 302) and spatially confined. These vegetation changes resemble the model photosynthesis responses but not the hydroclimate responses, while published lake-level changes resemble the latter but not the former. Thus, confidence in both the model hydrologic and photosynthesis projections is increased, and there is no significant conflict. Instead, paleo- and modern climate researchers must carefully define “wetting” and “drying” and, in particular, should not assume hydrologic drying on the basis of vegetation decline alone or assume vegetation stress on the basis of declines in hydroclimatic indicators.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-16-0854.1",
    doi = "10.1175/JCLI-D-16-0854.1",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "17",
    pages = "6593-6609",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "84",
    semanticscholar_id = "33c54513f6f3bfeb5eb8262cf2c9939d0e74143d",
    volume = "30"
}

Paleogene age deposits east of the Fifteenmile River, northwest of Dawson City, Yukon, Canada preserve a diverse high‐latitude fossil flora. Here, we provide new data on the age of the fossil site based on laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U‐Pb dating of tephra zircons, paleobotanical paleoclimate reconstructions, and growing season length estimates based on photoperiod. These new data indicate an age of the Fifteenmile River fossil locality as late middle Eocene and likely within the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum episode. The paleoflora‐based paleoclimate reconstruction indicates the region was relatively wet and warm with non‐freezing winters, but also experienced seasonal dryness, with an approximate 7 months long growing season as suggested by photoperiod. We interpret this paleoclimate as summer dry and winter wet—a climate analogous to modern day warm Mediterranean climates in the Köppen‐Geiger climate classification system. These findings provide a new perspective on the past climate and environment of high‐latitude ecosystems during warm greenhouse intervals and contribute to our understanding of the Earth's climate history and its potential future changes.

@article{doi1010292024pa004874,
    author = "West, Christopher K. and Reichgelt, T. and Reyes, Alberto V. and Buryak, S. and Staniszewska, Kasia J. and Basinger, J.",
    title = "Paleobotanical Evidence for Mediterranean Climates in the Western Canadian Paleoarctic During the Late Middle Eocene",
    year = "2024",
    journal = "Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology",
    abstract = "Paleogene age deposits east of the Fifteenmile River, northwest of Dawson City, Yukon, Canada preserve a diverse high‐latitude fossil flora. Here, we provide new data on the age of the fossil site based on laser ablation–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (LA‐ICP‐MS) U‐Pb dating of tephra zircons, paleobotanical paleoclimate reconstructions, and growing season length estimates based on photoperiod. These new data indicate an age of the Fifteenmile River fossil locality as late middle Eocene and likely within the Middle Eocene Climatic Optimum episode. The paleoflora‐based paleoclimate reconstruction indicates the region was relatively wet and warm with non‐freezing winters, but also experienced seasonal dryness, with an approximate 7 months long growing season as suggested by photoperiod. We interpret this paleoclimate as summer dry and winter wet—a climate analogous to modern day warm Mediterranean climates in the Köppen‐Geiger climate classification system. These findings provide a new perspective on the past climate and environment of high‐latitude ecosystems during warm greenhouse intervals and contribute to our understanding of the Earth's climate history and its potential future changes.",
    url = "https://doi.org/10.1029/2024pa004874",
    doi = "10.1029/2024PA004874",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "10",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "3",
    semanticscholar_id = "1bc6a08d8b4b1c638e60617a47096c953d5876cb",
    volume = "39"
}

ABSTRACT There is an urgent need for information on the Earth’s climate beyond the limited history provided in the instrumental record. Paleoclimate information provides a baseline for understanding natural climate variability and how human activities have altered the climate. Paleoclimate reconstructions also allow us to estimate the potential impacts of climate change on multiple aspects of the climate system. Over the past three decades, paleoclimatologists have made great advances in using climate proxies, natural archives of climate conditions, to better understand climates of the past. Here, we categorize the main types of advancements made over recent decades, which include the discovery of new proxies and new measurements from existing proxies, the reconstruction of novel components of the climate system, the geographical expansion of paleoclimate records, and the integration of multiple proxies and models. We provide examples of published research in each category from across the field of paleoclimatology, and we end with a summary of remaining knowledge gaps and emerging questions that will require continued paleoclimate research progress in the future.

@article{doi1010800272364620242313781,
    author = "Wise, E. and Jurkowski, Carl V.",
    title = "Advances in paleoclimatology",
    year = "2024",
    journal = "Physical Geography",
    abstract = "ABSTRACT There is an urgent need for information on the Earth’s climate beyond the limited history provided in the instrumental record. Paleoclimate information provides a baseline for understanding natural climate variability and how human activities have altered the climate. Paleoclimate reconstructions also allow us to estimate the potential impacts of climate change on multiple aspects of the climate system. Over the past three decades, paleoclimatologists have made great advances in using climate proxies, natural archives of climate conditions, to better understand climates of the past. Here, we categorize the main types of advancements made over recent decades, which include the discovery of new proxies and new measurements from existing proxies, the reconstruction of novel components of the climate system, the geographical expansion of paleoclimate records, and the integration of multiple proxies and models. We provide examples of published research in each category from across the field of paleoclimatology, and we end with a summary of remaining knowledge gaps and emerging questions that will require continued paleoclimate research progress in the future.",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/ce11c19b74e05e662c5f39b07be42c9cf5fa9649",
    doi = "10.1080/02723646.2024.2313781",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "1",
    pages = "36-59",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "2",
    semanticscholar_id = "ce11c19b74e05e662c5f39b07be42c9cf5fa9649",
    volume = "46"
}

Abrupt climate change events during the last glacial period and the Last Interglacial (LIG) resulted from changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Over the last 50 years, there is some evidence that the AMOC has weakened, and it is projected to weaken further or even collapse this century driven by the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases. However, the impact of an AMOC weakening on Australasian hydroclimate is still unclear, particularly under a climate warmer than the pre‐industrial (PI). Using the ACCESS‐ESM1.5 model, we assess the processes impacting seasonal hydroclimate in the Australasian region in response to an AMOC shutdown under PI and the LIG climatic conditions. While the broad hydroclimate response to an AMOC shutdown is similar in both experiments, notable regional differences emerge, highlighting the influence of background climate states. During austral summer (DJF), the AMOC shutdown leads to drier conditions over the Maritime Continent between 5° $5{}^{\circ}$ S and 6° $6{}^{\circ}$ N and increased precipitation over northern Australia under both PI and LIG conditions. However, the precipitation increase over Australia is weaker under PI than LIG. During austral winter (JJA), mid to high southern regions of Australia and New Zealand experience drying in response to the AMOC shutdown under PI boundary conditions, while under LIG boundary conditions, only southeastern Australia and New Zealand exhibit drier conditions, with northwestern Australia displaying wetter conditions. These results underscore the complex and region‐specific responses of Australasian hydroclimate to AMOC disruptions, highlighting the importance of considering background climate states when assessing such impacts.

@article{doi1010292024pa004967,
    author = "Saini, Himadri and Pontes, G. and Brown, Josephine R. and Drysdale, Russell N. and Du, Yanxuan and Menviel, L.",
    title = "Australasian Hydroclimate Response to the Collapse of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation Under Pre‐Industrial and Last Interglacial Climates",
    year = "2025",
    journal = "Paleoceanography and Paleoclimatology",
    abstract = "Abrupt climate change events during the last glacial period and the Last Interglacial (LIG) resulted from changes in the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Over the last 50 years, there is some evidence that the AMOC has weakened, and it is projected to weaken further or even collapse this century driven by the increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases. However, the impact of an AMOC weakening on Australasian hydroclimate is still unclear, particularly under a climate warmer than the pre‐industrial (PI). Using the ACCESS‐ESM1.5 model, we assess the processes impacting seasonal hydroclimate in the Australasian region in response to an AMOC shutdown under PI and the LIG climatic conditions. While the broad hydroclimate response to an AMOC shutdown is similar in both experiments, notable regional differences emerge, highlighting the influence of background climate states. During austral summer (DJF), the AMOC shutdown leads to drier conditions over the Maritime Continent between 5° $5{}^{\circ}$ S and 6° $6{}^{\circ}$ N and increased precipitation over northern Australia under both PI and LIG conditions. However, the precipitation increase over Australia is weaker under PI than LIG. During austral winter (JJA), mid to high southern regions of Australia and New Zealand experience drying in response to the AMOC shutdown under PI boundary conditions, while under LIG boundary conditions, only southeastern Australia and New Zealand exhibit drier conditions, with northwestern Australia displaying wetter conditions. These results underscore the complex and region‐specific responses of Australasian hydroclimate to AMOC disruptions, highlighting the importance of considering background climate states when assessing such impacts.",
    url = "https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/43fdbc6a8921af935a9e4232925a446cb8d1d0c9",
    doi = "10.1029/2024PA004967",
    is_oa = "true",
    number = "3",
    semanticscholar_citation_count = "3",
    semanticscholar_id = "43fdbc6a8921af935a9e4232925a446cb8d1d0c9",
    volume = "40"
}