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1 results

  • 2 - Methods of Empirical Paleoclimatology

  • Andrey Ganopolski, Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research
  • Book:
    Quaternary Climate Dynamics
    Published online:
    17 December 2025
    Print publication:
    22 January 2026, pp 40-65

  • Summary

    The chapter outlines the primary methods used in empirical paleoclimatology, beginning with an overview of key paleoclimate proxies (stable oxygen and carbon isotopes, atmospheric composition, ice-rafted debris, aeolian dust and pollen) and the past environmental conditions they help reconstruct. The applicability and potential limitations of different proxies are discussed. It then describes the main paleoclimate archives, such as marine sediments and ice cores, speleothems, tree rings and others, in relation to paleoclimate proxies. The main dating techniques used in Quaternary paleoclimatology, such as the radiocarbon method, paleomagnetism and orbital tuning, are briefly examined. Several important paleoclimatological stacked records are presented, such as the Lisiecki-Raymo benthic stack. Finally, the main applications of paleoclimate proxies for reconstructing paleoenvironments and understanding past climate change and data-model comparison are reviewed.