paleoclimatology

American  

[pey-lee-oh-klahy-muh-tol-uh-jee, pal-ee-] / ˌpeɪ li oʊˌklaɪ məˈtɒl ə dʒi, ˌpæl i- /

noun

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

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paleoclimatology Scientific  

/ 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.

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Other Word Forms

• paleoclimatologic adjective
• paleoclimatological adjective
• paleoclimatologist noun

Etymology

Origin of paleoclimatology

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 • Feb. 3, 2023

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

From BBC • Nov. 1, 2021

Go and a basic school text book on paleoclimatology before you even think about posting again.

From New York Times • Mar. 5, 2015

His results, along with records other scientists were gathering from the sea floor, roiled the field of paleoclimatology.

From New York Times • Jul. 3, 2012