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Model of climate evolution based on continental drift and polar wanderingThe thermodynamic meteorologic model of Adem is used to trace the evolution of climate from Triassic to present time by applying it to changing geography as described by continental drift and polar wandering. Results show that the gross changes of climate in the Northern Hemisphere can be fully explained by the strong cooling in high latitudes as continents moved poleward. High-latitude mean temperatures in the Northern Hemisphere dropped below the freezing point 10 to 15 m.y. ago, thereby accounting for the late Cenozoic glacial age. Computed meridional temperature gradients for the Northern Hemisphere steepened from 20 to 40 C over the 200-m.y. period, an effect caused primarily by the high-latitude temperature decrease. The primary result of the work is that the cooling that has occurred since the warm Mesozoic period and has culminated in glaciation is explainable wholly by terrestrial processes.
Document ID
19770060165
Acquisition Source
Legacy CDMS
Document Type
Reprint (Version printed in journal)
Authors
Donn, W. L.
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory, Palisades; City College, New York N.Y., United States)
Shaw, D. M.
(Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory Palisades, N.Y., United States)
Date Acquired
August 9, 2013
Publication Date
March 1, 1977
Publication Information
Publication: Geological Society of America
Subject Category
Geophysics
Accession Number
77A43017
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Other

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