ClimateAugust 28, 2026

paleoclimate

pay-lee-oh-KLY-mit

Definition

The climate of a past geological era, studied through physical evidence like fossils, ice cores, and tree rings.

Etymology

Derived from the Greek 'palaios' meaning 'ancient' and the Greek 'klima' meaning 'climate' or 'zone'. It entered English in the late 19th century to describe the study of prehistoric environmental conditions.

In the news

The article references a paleoclimate scientist who uses coral fossils as a 'time machine' to analyze climate patterns from over 900 years ago, helping to show how human activity is strengthening El Ninos.

As super El Nino strengthens, study suggests that climate change is intensifying El Ninos

Read the full article ↗

WSLS

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