| Unit name | Climate and Global Change |
|---|---|
| Unit code | EASC30035 |
| Credit points | 10 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1B (weeks 7 - 12) |
| Unit director | Dr. Robinson |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
Succesful completion of the previous years of Geology or Environmental Geoscience programme as appropriate |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Earth Sciences |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
This unit provides students with an introduction to factors that control and influence the Earth's climate. Initial lectures will cover the topics of plate tectonics, CO2 and long-term climate, climate proxy records, and climate data and models. Changes in the Earth's climate throughout geological time will be explored, including primitive and early climates, climate change in the Palaeozoic, greenhouse warming during the Mesozoic, and climatic deterioration during the Cenozoic. Additional topics include astronomical control of solar radiation, feedback mechanisms in the climate system, and insolation control of monsoons, ice sheets and atmospheric CH4 and CO2. The last glacial-interglacial cycle will be examined in detail, including the Last Glacial Maximum, the timing of deglaciation and millennial-scale oscillations in climate. Recent climate change will be studied by looking at historical changes in climate during the last millennium, climate during the 20th century, and the effects of man on global climate change. Current debates and uncertainties over future climatic change will also be addressed.
