Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences

Climate Change, Paleoclimatic Observations, and Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics

My goal in the study of climate change is to use paleoclimatic observations to bring understanding of atmosphere and ocean dynamics. Climatic differences in geologic time have been much greater than humans are likely to witness, and understanding how geologic processes affect climate are vital if we are to claim that we can predict future climate change. We have two main foci: (a) the role of Tibet and its rise in the evolution of the Indian monsoon and Asian climate in general (Northern Tibet, NE Tibet), and (b) the development of the Maritime Continent and the apparent transformation of climate from an apparently permanent El Niño state to the present ENSO dominated tropical Pacific (and recurring northern hemisphere glaciation) (Pliocene El Niño).