paleoclimatology

[ pey-lee-oh-klahy-muh-tol-uh-jeeor, especially British, pal-ee- ]

noun

1. the branch of paleogeography dealing with the study of paleoclimates.

paleoclimatology

/ pā′lē-ō-klī′mə-tŏl′ə-jē /

1. The scientific study of climatic conditions, along with their causes and effects, in the geologic past. These conditions are reconstructed on the basis of evidence found in the geologic record, especially in the form of glacial deposits, fossils, sediments, and rock and ice cores. Because much of the geologic record studied in paleoclimatology predates humans, this research is valuable for weighing the relative influence of human and natural causes of global climate change. It also provides test situations for computerized climate modeling systems used to predict present-day climate changes.

Other Words From

• pa·le·o·cli·ma·to·log·i·cal [pey-lee-oh-klahy-m, uh, -tl-, oj, -i-k, uh, l, pal-ee-], pale·o·clima·to·logic adjective
• pale·o·clima·tolo·gist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of paleoclimatology¹

First recorded in 1915–20; paleo- + climatology

Example Sentences

One of her areas of expertise is paleoclimatology, and she has traveled the world tracking climatic changes over centuries using corals and cave stalagmites.

From Scientific American

Professor of paleoclimatology, Joy Singarayer, said studying the past is important to understanding the future.

From BBC

During dry periods, the lake volume would have shrunk, said Nick Evans, a graduate student studying paleoclimatology at Cambridge University and first author of the study.

From Washington Post

Manning, a mountaineer and rock climber, was interested in paleoclimatology and started hosting informal gatherings of historians and climate experts.

From National Geographic

Having been cautiously skeptical myself before reaching the consensus position, I remember that some legitimate uncertainty about the human contribution to global warming did exist within my specialty of paleoclimatology several decades ago.

From New York Times