Learning objectives
The course aims to provide students with the tools to deal with the classical problems or the most recent developments of paleoclimatology through the knowledge and understanding of the basic elements that allow the reconstruction of evolution of the environments and the climate of the past in a chronological framework.
Prerequisites
none
Course unit content
The course deals with: 1) Earth’s modern climate and processes; 2) the broad details of Earth’s climate history and in particular for the
past 250 Ma; 3) the main proxies used to reconstruct past climates; 4) the Greenhouse effect and role of the carbon cycle in Earth’s climate; 5) the role of ice sheets, ocean circulation, and orbital parameters and insolation on Earth’s climate; 6) changes in sea level related to climate change; 7) main climate characteristics of the last 2 ka
Full programme
Introduction to (paloe)climatology
Modern Earth's climate system (solar radiation, thermal balance, heat transfer in atmosphere and oceans, cryosphere, biosphere)
Climate archives and proxy data
Oxygen isotopes as paleoclimate proxy and stratigraphy
Cycle of Carbon, carbon Isotopes , Clatrates, primary productivity
Astronomical control of radiation
Planet evolution and Faint Sun Paradox
Snowball Earth Hypothesis
POLAR POSITION and BLAG HYPOTHESES
Mesozoic climate: Triassic (Pangea), Jurassic, Cretaceous (anoxic events)
Cenozoic climate: Paleocene-Eocene hyperthermals, the transition from Greenhouse to Icehouse, Oligocene-Miocene, Pliocene (the role of the Panama Strait)
Astronomical theory of the climate: Pliocene and Pleistocene glaciations, Mid Pleistocene Revolution (MPR), Mediterranean Sapropels
Climatic changes at millenial and human scale: Heinrich events, Younger Dryas, Holocene and global warming
Bibliography
- Material used during the lectures (slides, scientific papers)
- Ruddiman W., 2008. Earth's Climate Past and Future. W. H. Freeman and Company, New York.
- Cronin T.M., 2010. Paleoclimates: Understanding Climate Change Past and Present. Columbia University Press
Teaching methods
Frontal lectures with multimedia tools.
Assessment methods and criteria
Oral exam to verify the knowledge and understanding, the capability of applying knowledge and understanding regarding the topics treated during the course and the communication skills.
Other information
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