| Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and Ancient Environments 2009 Edition Contributor(s): Gornitz, Vivien (Editor) |
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ISBN: 1402045514 ISBN-13: 9781402045516 Publisher: Springer OUR PRICE: $617.49 Product Type: Hardcover - Other Formats Published: October 2008 Annotation: The Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and Ancient Environments is the first major reference work in its field. It provides the comprehensive overview required by the rapid expansion and specialization of paleoclimatology in recent years. Articles summarize recent findings covering a broad spectrum of the geosciences, including atmospheric sciences, comparative planetology, geochemistry, geophysics, glaciology, paleobotany, paleontology, paleoceanography, and sedimentology, among others. Paleoclimate topics covered in the encyclopedia give the reader the perspective with which to place the observations of recent global warming in the context of longer-term natural climate fluctuations. "Climate proxies"--natural archives of environmental change recorded in tree rings, corals, ice cores, lake varves, marine sediments, etc. help extend the centennial timescale of instrumental records to the ancient past and enable reconstruction of ancient climates. Significant elements of the encyclopedia include recent developments in paleoclimate modeling, paleo-ocean circulation, as well as the influence of geological processes (e.g., plate tectonics and mountain uplift), and biological feedbacks (through modulating atmospheric CO2 or CH4) on global climate change. New techniques in radiometric dating, geochemical analyses, and paleoecological reconstructions are also described. The encyclopedia enables the reader to gain an entry point into the literature on these and many other groundbreaking topics.
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| Additional Information |
| BISAC Categories: - Science | Earth Sciences - Meteorology & Climatology - Science | Environmental Science (see Also Chemistry - Environmental) - Science | Reference |
| Dewey: 551.609 |
| LCCN: 2008934597 |
| Series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences |
| Physical Information: 2.3" H x 8.6" W x 11.2" (7.10 lbs) 1049 pages |
| Themes: - Chronological Period - Prehistoric - Chronological Period - Ancient (To 499 A.D.) |
| Descriptions, Reviews, Etc. |
| Publisher Description: Concern exists over human-generated increases in atmospheric greenhouse gases and their potential consequences to society. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) in 2007 finds that global temperatures have increased by 0.8 C since 1850 and that climate warming is now 'unequivocal'. While the human imprint is becoming increasingly apparent, Earth's climate has shifted dramatically and frequently during the last few million years, alternating between ice ages, when vast glaciers covered Northern Europe and much of North America, and interglacials--warm periods much like today. Farther back in geologic time, climates have differed even more from the present. Thus, to fully understand the unusual changes of the 20th century and possible future trends, these must be placed in a longer-term context extending beyond the period of instrumental records. The Encyclopedia of Paleoclimatology and Ancient Environments, a companion volume to the recently-published Encyclopedia of World Climatology, provides the reader with an entry point to the rapidly expanding field of paleoclimatology--the study of climates of the past. Highly interdisciplinary in nature, paleoclimatology integrates information from a broad array of disciplines in the geosciences, ranging from stratigraphy, geomorphology, glaciology, paleoecology, paleobotany to geochemistry and geophysics, among others. The encyclopedia offers 230 informative articles written by over 200 well known international experts on numerous subjects, ranging from classical geological evidence to the latest research. The volume is abundantly illustrated with line-drawings, black-white and color photographs. Articles are arranged alphabetically, with extensive bibliographies and cross-references. |