Past & Present Climate Change

Research Focus

Understanding climate system changes and interactions between the atmosphere, oceans, biosphere, and frozen Earth. Our research addresses how climate systems change over time, improving earth-system models, terrestrial biosphere responses to climate change, and climate impacts on human societies.

Research Questions

• How do climate systems change over time?
• How can we improve earth-system models?
• How does the terrestrial biosphere respond to climate change?
• What are the impacts of climate change on human societies?

Key Faculty

• Michael Erb - Paleoclimatology
• Darrell Kaufman - Paleoclimate reconstruction
• Nicholas McKay - Climate dynamics

Notable Projects

Southern Alaska Lakes

Studying climate records from lake sediments in Alaska to understand past climate variability.

Mega-droughts in Southwest Arizona

Investigating severe drought events in the southwestern United States and their impacts.

Viking-age Societies Climate Impact

Examining how climate changes affected Viking societies and their expansion.

Antarctic Ice Core Research

Analyzing ice cores to reconstruct past climate conditions in Antarctica.

Research Methods

• Lake sediment analysis
• Ice core studies
• Tree ring analysis
• Climate modeling
• Statistical analysis
• Proxy data reconstruction
• Paleoclimate synthesis

Applications

Our research informs:

• Climate change projections
• Water resource management
• Ecosystem adaptation strategies
• Historical climate context
• Climate model validation

Student Opportunities

• Field work in diverse climatic regions
• Laboratory analysis training
• Climate modeling experience
• International research collaborations
• Conference presentations

Who We Are

Our faculty includes:

• Jordon Bright - Geochronology, ostracods, stable isotopes
• Michael Erb - Paleoclimatology, climate modeling, data assimilation
• John Fegyveresi - Paleoclimatology, glaciology, ice-core science
• Deborah Huntzinger - Land-atmosphere carbon dynamics
• Darrell Kaufman - Paleoclimate, quaternary geochronology
• Nicholas McKay - Climate dynamics, paleoclimate
• Cody Routson - Extreme hydroclimate events
• R. Scott Anderson - Paleoecology, forest history (Emeritus)

Collaborators

At NAU:

• Center for Ecosystem Science and Society
• Colorado Plateau Stable Isotope Lab
• ITEP Tribal Climate Change Program
• USGS-NAU Macrobotanical Lab

Outside NAU:

• Keck Carbon Cycle AMS Laboratory
• LacCore National Lacustrine Core Facility
• Past Global Changes (PAGES)
• North American Carbon Program (NACP)
• Various national labs and research centers

For Students

Students can pursue degrees in:

• BS in Environmental Sciences
• BS in Geology
• MS in Environmental Sciences and Policy
• MS in Geology
• MS in Climate Science & Solutions
• PhD in Earth Sciences & Environmental Sustainability (Climate & Environmental Change emphasis)

Contact Information

Email: SES.Admin@nau.edu
Phone: 928-523-9333
Location: Room A108, Ashurst Building, NAU, Flagstaff, AZ