NFYA09028U Ice Cores and Climate

Volume 2013/2014
Education
MSc Programme in Physics
MSc Programme in Agriculture
Content

The course focuses on Earth’s climate history with an emphasis on the climate records from Greenland and Antarctic ice cores. The following topics are covered:

  • Overview of climate science
  • Climate archives, data, and models
  • Astronomical control of solar radiation
  • Insolation control of monsoons and ice sheets
  • Introduction to the carbon cycle
  • Climate of the last glacial cycles, in particular the most recent
  • Pre-industrial climate and anthropogenic impact.


Furthermore, the following ice core specific topics are covered:

  • The isotopic composition of the ice and its climatic interpretation
  • The concentration and isotopic composition of greenhouse gasses enclosed in the ice
  • Records of ice core impurities, such as volcanic tracers, dust, and cosmogenic isotopes
  • The experimental techniques used to obtain the ice core records
  • Time scales and linking of ice cores to other archives
Learning Outcome


Skills

  • Ability to make interpretation of paleorecords and in particular ice core records
  • Basic knowledge of ice core sampling methods and current analytical techniques
  • Updated knowledge of ice core climate records
  • Describe various ice core dating techniques


Knowledge

  • A knowledge of the most important factors controlling Earth climate
  • A knowledge of various climate archives of past climate
  • A detailed knowledge of the climate of the last glacial cycles
  • A good understanding of ice core records


Competences

  • Ability to critically read a scientific paper on paleoclimate
  • A necessary background for a critical view of the current debate of global warming
Literature
William F. Ruddiman: Earth’s Climate, past and future. Second edition. W.H. Freeman, ISBN-13: 978-0-7167-8490-6. Furthermore, selected scientific papers that will be made available.
Basic knowledge on physics or geoscience.
Lectures and student presentations plus a presentation of laboratory facilities at Centre for Ice and Climate
  • Category
  • Hours
  • Colloquia
  • 14
  • Exam
  • 1
  • Excursions
  • 4
  • Lectures
  • 28
  • Preparation
  • 159
  • Total
  • 206
Credit
7,5 ECTS
Type of assessment
Oral examination, 25 min
Preparation time 30 minutes
Exam registration requirements
In order to be admitted to the assessment participants have to present a scientific paper during the course.
Aid
All aids allowed
Marking scale
7-point grading scale
Censorship form
No external censorship
More internal examiners
Criteria for exam assesment
SeeSkills.