ClimateAugust 28, 2026
paleogeography
pay-lee-oh-jee-OG-ruh-fee
Definition
The study or description of the physical geography of the Earth during past geological periods.
Etymology
The word is derived from the Greek 'palaios' (ancient) combined with 'geography', which stems from the Greek 'ge' (earth) and 'graphein' (to write or describe). It emerged in the 19th century to describe the mapping of historical Earth features.
In the news
In this article, paleogeography is mentioned as a key factor influencing Earth's past climate changes, alongside orbital shifts and greenhouse gases, helping researchers interpret diverse evidence from the geological record.
Bette L. Otto-Bliesner on Understanding Earth’s Climate Past to Inform Its Future
Read the full article ↗AMS Headlines