Geophysics & Environmental Physics
4 terms
Paleoclimatology
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Geologic Climate History
The scientific study of Earth's past climate conditions across geologic history using indirect environmental proxy records.
Climate Proxies: Ice Cores, Tree Rings, Coral δ¹⁸O, Speleothems
Paleomagnetism
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Degrees (° Declination / Inclination)
The study of the historical record and orientation of Earth's magnetic field preserved in iron-bearing minerals in rocks, sediments, or archaeological artifacts.
Remanent Magnetization Vector (Declination & Inclination)
Plate Tectonics
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
cm/year (Plate Drift Speed)
The unifying geophysical theory stating that Earth's rigid outer lithosphere is divided into major tectonic plates drifting over the ductile asthenosphere.
Plate Motion Velocity v_plate ~ 1–10 cm/year
Precession of the Equinoxes
Geophysics & Environmental Physics
Years per Cycle (~25,800 years)
The slow continuous conical rotation of Earth's rotational axis in space, taking ~25,800 years to complete one full cycle.
Precession Period T ≈ 25,772 years (Axial Wobble Rate ~ 50.3″/year)