These resources explain how scientists study past climate, demonstrate the value of paleoclimatology in climate change science, and provide images and illustrations of paleoclimatology research.
Resources
Paleoclimate Discussion List
Join the forum for discussions and announcements, including employment opportunities, among paleoclimatologists throughout the world at the Paleoclimate Discussion List.
Introduction to Paleoclimatology
Paleoclimatology is the study of climate prior to the widespread availability of records of temperature, precipitation, and other instrumental data, using proxy data to study ancient climates. Paleoclimatologists have used proxy data to learn about Earth's climate history, including evidence of ancient droughts.
Paleo Perspectives
NCEI’s Paleoclimatology Program created a series of Paleo Perspectives to show how paleoclimatology data provide a long baseline of past changes.
Paleoclimatology Images
Images and documentation provide historical information on a variety of paleoclimatology subjects, including ice ages, tree rings, ice cores, coral reefs, and more.
News and Explainers
- A Long View of California’s Climate
- Going Batty for Ancient Climate Data
- How Do Scientists Study Ancient Climates?
- California Dryness and Recovery Challenge Multi-Century Odds
- Planet Postcard: Glacial Revelations
- What Have We Learned from Paleoclimatology?
- Finding Paleoclimate Data Just Got Easier
- How Can Little Critters Teach Us About Climate?
- How Can Caves Teach Us About Climate?
- How Can Ice Teach Us About Climate?
- How Can Tree Rings Teach Us About Climate?
- How Can Corals Teach Us About Climate?
- How Can Pollen Teach Us About Climate?
- What Are Proxy Data?
- What Is Paleoclimatology?