Climate in the distant past
By: Gisell Munoz
How do scientists study ancient climates?
Scientists in present day use thermometers and satellites to observe our climate. But if these instruments didn't exist in the distant past, how do they study ancient climates?
Scientists use our beautiful planet Earth to study distant past climates. They use clues that are buried in sediments, frozen glaciers or ice caps, and in the rings of trees.
Ice Cores
Ice cores are used to reveal what the temperature was like, and also how much CO2 or Methane there was in the air. This can be told because of small air bubbles that are trapped within the ice.
Tree Rings
Tree rings can be studied because temperature and precipitation affect tree growth. By studying tree ring data, this will provide scientists with climate change from year to year.
Ocean Sediment
In ocean sediment, fossils can be found that will provide information about how the temperature was up to about a million years ago.
Citations
http://climatechangeconnection.org/science/climate-change-in-the-past/
http://www.learnnc.org/lp/editions/nchist-twoworlds/1671
https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/news/how-do-scientists-study-ancient-climates
http://otterspoor.com/biology/review/index.php?unit=evolution
http://phys.org/news/2012-05-ancient-tree-ring-southwest-today-megafires.html