Researchers seeking to understand how Earth’s climate system works use complex computer programs to model general atmospheric circulation. These programs help answer questions that involve the forecasting of weather on short time scales (months to years), and the prediction of climate behavior under conditions that may arise in the long-term. How did the ice ages begin, and why did they end? Are human activities leading to significant changes in climate? What is the impact of a large volcanic eruption on weather? What triggers an El Niño?  How many hurricanes are likely next year?

 Participants/students use the results of the research of UTIG Senior Scientist, Fred Taylor, and his American, French and Australian colleagues to learn about recent climate fluctuations (El Niño events), climate change over the past 30,000 years, ocean chemistry, and atmospheric circulation. Examination of growth rings in corals (coral samples and X-radiograph will be provided). Specifically they will (1) identifiy El Niño events in xradiographs of a X-section of coral core from Vanuatu, and develop a predictive model of ENSO events based on the data; and (2) carry out an analysis of geochemical data from corals in order to determine past seawater temperatures.

Concept Strand