Paleoclimatology, Volume 68, Second Edition: Reconstructing Climates of the Quaternary (International Geophysics) [Hardcover]

Raymond S. Bradley (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 012124010X | ISBN-13: 978-0121240103 | Publication Date: March 1, 1999 | Edition: 2

Raymond S. Bradley provides his readers with a comprehensive and up-to-date review of all of the important methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction, dating and paleoclimate modeling. Two comprehensive chapters on dating methods provide the foundation for all paleoclimatic studies and are followed by up-to-date coverage of ice core research, continental geological and biological records, pollen analysis, radiocarbon dating, tree rings and historical records. New methods using alkenones in marine sediments and coral studies are also described. Paleoclimatology, Second Edition, is an essential textbook for advanced undergraduate and postgraduate students studying climatology, paleoclimatology and paleooceanography worldwide, as well as a valuable reference for lecturers and researchers, appealing to archaeologists and scientists interested in environmental change.
* Contains two up-to-date chapters on dating methods
* Consists of the latest coverage of ice core research, marine sediment and coral studies, continental geological and biological records, pollen analysis, tree rings, and historical records
* Describes the newest methods using alkenones in marine sediments and long continental pollen records
* Addresses all important methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction
* Includes an extensive chapter on the use of models in paleoclimatology
* Extensive and up-to-date bibliography
* Illustrated with numerous comprehensive figure captions

Editorial Reviews

Review

"This thorough, well referenced text will prove to be indispensable to anyone involved in the study of past and current climate change and modeling."
-SOUTHEASTERN NATURALIST, 2005

Praise for the first edition:
"An indispensable work of reference for scientists and students alike."
--Quarternary Science Reviews
"There can be little doubt that overall this book is a great success in the way the information is assimilated, explained and placed in a global context."
--Journal of Quarternary Science
"A book which ought to be read as a primer by anyone with a critical interest in the field."
--Earth Surface Processes and :Landforms
"Unrivaled in the sophistication with which it examines a wide range of methods."
--K.W. Butzer, Journal of Archeological Science
"A resounding success... indispensable reading for anyone involved in paleoclimatic reconstruction or paleoclimatic modeling."
--L.D.D. Harvey, University of Toronto



Published Review

As reviewed in CHOICE, October 1999

"Bradley's new edition (1st ed., Quaternary Paleoclimatology, CH, Jul'85) is a thorough update; there is new material on ice cores, better dating, marine sediments, ocean circulations, corals, and paleoclimate models. About 2,000 references are listed, with more than half newer than 1985. This is an excellent compilation of figures and tables covering the entire subject. Many subtopics are of interest to casual readers: El Niños (Ninos) since 1525; extent and seasonal changes in snow-ice cover; paleomagnetism--dates of major reversals in polarity; dust veil index since 1500, corresponding to volcanic activity; information from tree rings; ocean temperatures and salinity affecting the conveyor belt circulation; lake and sea level fluctuations; pollen analysis; and variability in flowering dates of plants and grape harvests. Surprisingly, some climate changes have been rapid and vegetation changes lag behind climate changes by 100 to 150 years. One of the problems in coupled ocean-atmosphere models is that response times for various components vary by six to seven orders of magnitude. This new edition is needed by college libraries. General readers; upper-division undergraduates through faculty."

- A. E. Staver, Northern Illinois University

From the Back Cover

Praise for the first edition:
"An indispensable work of reference for scientists and students alike."
--Quarternary Science Reviews
"There can be little doubt that overall this book is a great success in the way the information is assimilated, explained and placed in a global context."
--Journal of Quarternary Science
"A book which ought to be read as a primer by anyone with a critical interest in the field."
--Earth Surface Processes and :Landforms
"Unrivaled in the sophistication with which it examines a wide range of methods."
--K.W. Butzer, Journal of Archeological Science
"A resounding success... indispensable reading for anyone involved in paleoclimatic reconstruction or paleoclimatic modeling."
--L.D.D. Harvey, University of Toronto
In the fourteen years since the highly successful first edition of Paleoclimatology was published, there have been many advances in the principles and methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction, dating, and paleoclimate modeling. The Second Edition has been extensively rewritten and updated to reflect these advances.
Paleoclimatology: Reconstructing Climates of the Quarternary is the only book that:
* Covers all the important methods of dating
*Addresses all the important methods used in paleoclimatic reconstruction
*Reviews the use of models in paleoclimatology
*Contains an extensive and up-to-date bibliography of over 1,700 references
*Is abundantly illustrated with comprehensive figure captions
About the author
Ray Bradley is Professor and Head of the Department of Geosciences at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst. He has authored/edited five books and published more than 100 articles on climatology and climate change over a wide range of time scales.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 613 pages
• Publisher: Academic Press; 2 edition (March 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 012124010X
• ISBN-13: 978-0121240103
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.7 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #326,157 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #89 in Books > Professional & Technical > Professional Science > Earth Sciences > Geophysics

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