Windfalls of dust

Journal Article · Sun Feb 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Nat. Hist.; (United States)

OSTI ID:6017403

Rea, D K

This paper reports on a study deposited on the ocean floor during the past seventy million years to see how well sediment patterns correlate with the climate. These studies have shown that by measuring the quantity and size of dust grains, one could establish the past strength of winds and the dryness of land surfaces. Analyses were based on collections of drill cores from the Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory and the Deep Sea Drilling Project and its successor, the Ocean Drilling Program. Older grains in the lower portions of cores from the Pacific Ocean are relatively coarse, suggesting strong winds. Fifty-five to fifty million years ago, grains become increasingly fine, indicating that atmospheric circulation had slowed considerably. It remained sluggish for about fifteen million years and then began a slow increase toward present conditions. This information provides clues about global temperatures. The data are consistent with the expectation of Milankovitch cycles. Ocean-floor dust provides a clear window on climate shifts both tens of million years ago and during more recent glacial cycles. The challenge ahead is to apply this understanding to predictions of future climatic change.

• Research Organization: Univ. of Michigan, Ann Arbor
• OSTI ID: 6017403
• Journal Information: Nat. Hist.; (United States), Journal Name: Nat. Hist.; (United States) Vol. 96:2; ISSN NAHIA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
58 GEOSCIENCES
580100* -- Geology & Hydrology-- (-1989)
AMBIENT TEMPERATURE
CLIMATES
DEPOSITION
DRILL CORES
DUSTS
FORECASTING
PARTICLE SIZE
POLLUTION
SEAS
SEDIMENTS
SIZE
SURFACE WATERS
VARIATIONS
WATER POLLUTION
WIND