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U.S. Department of Energy
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Climatic fluctuations of the Ice Age

Journal Article · · Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc.; (United States)
OSTI ID:5682071

This is a review of Burkhard Frenzel's book by R.E. Newell, Frenzel's book is an absolute mine of information on paleoclimatology. The findings from some 856 references are carefully distilled and a synthesis made of the changing climatic patterns over Europe and Asia during the six warm and six cold periods prior to the present warm period, representing a total time of roughly 700,000 years. Some data for North America, South America, New Zealand, and Africa are mentioned but the coverage is only intended to be complete for Europe and Asia. Chapter 1 describes the methods of floral and faunal sequences, lichenometry, dendochronology, varves, carbon 14 clothing, glacial and periglacial sediments, pollen analysis, oxygen isotope analysis, and others. Chapter 2 discusses the various subdivisions of the period selected. Chapter 3 amplifies the problem of simultaneity and illustrates it with application of radiocarbon dates for two short warm periods which occurred during generally cold periods. Chapter 4 is a long, comprehensive discussion of climatic conditions at various times during the last six major climatic oscillations. The fluctuations of climate during the last cold period are debated in Chapter 5 and consideration given to the reality of the various interstadials proposed in the literature. Comments on paleowinds and sea level changes are also included.

OSTI ID:
5682071
Journal Information:
Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc.; (United States), Journal Name: Bull. Am. Meteorol. Soc.; (United States) Vol. 56:3; ISSN BAMIA
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English