Research | Paleoclimate Reconstruction and Modeling

Research on past environmental and climate change provides fundamental insight into Earth system processes and critical context for understanding ongoing and future changes. The Geosciences Department’s core strength in climate change builds on a rich tradition of research in Quaternary studies, and now includes leading-edge work in paleoclimate reconstruction, geochronology, modeling, and synthesis. We use paleoclimate reconstructions as windows into physical mechanisms of climate change relevant to the modern changing Earth system, and we explore the implications of physical climate changes for ecological, geomorphic, hydrologic and marine systems. We apply climate system models to explore and anticipate mechanisms for environmental change, and we use paleoclimate data to assess model capabilities. Geosciences faculty working in this area have active field programs worldwide, including substantial efforts in tropical Africa, monsoon Asia, and South America, as well as locally in the Southwest. We have a growing presence in oceanic research, both nearshore and blue-water. We include the human dimensions of environmental change in research ranging from geoarchaeological and anthropological studies to stakeholder interactions related to current environmental policy. Our geochemical and geochronological facilities, and high-end modeling capabilities, enable diverse opportunities to explore a wide range of approaches to this research.