Interpreting Pre-Quaternary Climate from the Geologic Record

Within the geological science of paleoclimatology, the earth's pre-Quaternary period--more than two million years ago―has been studied systematically only since the 1960's, when geologists started to take seriously the concept that the continents have changed position on the earth's surface. In the decades since, the study of pre-Quaternary paleoclimatology has expanded greatly. A wide variety of methods have been developed to study pre-Quaternary climates, but until now, no single text has sought to synthesize those methods.

Judith Totman Parrish's text offers a much-needed entry point into the literature. While a number of previous books have dealt with climate models and paleoclimate, this is the first to offer a sustained exploration of the methods that are the foundation of any interpretation of earth processes. Focusing primarily on the description and analysis of paleoclimatic indicators-signals of a particular climate--this valuable reference work offers detailed explanations of biotic and lithologic indicators in the marine and terrestrial realms and includes case histories of paleoclimatic studies.

The most up-to-date and comprehensive volume on the subject, Interpreting Pre-Quaternary Climatefrom the Geologic Record will be an important resource for students and scientists alike. Parrish's focus on the established, underexploited, and controversial methods bring to light a spectrum of potential new avenues of research in this field.

Judith Totman Parrish is a professor of geosciences at the University of Arizona.