Encyclopedia of paleoclimatology and ancient environments / Энциклопедия по палеоклиматологии и условиям окружающей среды в прошлом

This volume is offered in tribute to the memory of Rhodes W. Fairbridge, Senior Editor of the Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series, who sadly passed away before this encyclopedia could be completed. It was upon his recommendation and inspiration that this project was undertaken. Rhodes Fairbridge took a keen interest in paleoclimatology, which ties together many aspects of the geosciences. He wrote several articles especially for this encyclopedia, including a detailed history of paleoclimatology and “Earth Laws and Paleoclimatology”, which summarizes many of the ideas he had covered in his long and distinguished career. He was way ahead of his time in his early acceptance of Wegener's theory of continental drift, the role of orbital cycles in climate change (i.e., the Milankovitch theory), solar influences on climate, and recognition of general aridity during glacial periods. He was among the first to report the twentieth century rise in global sea level in the 1960s. One of the recurrent themes in Rhodes’ many publications is the role of cyclical phenomena on all timescales. A 1961 symposium that he organized at Columbia University was among the earliest to explore the connections between Earth cycles and paleoclimates. With his colleagues, he investigated planetary alignments, their possible effects on solar activity, and ultimately on Earth's paleoclimates. While still controversial, a growing body of literature points to some solar influence on climate and one of the articles in this volume addresses this particular issue. His ability to see beyond the minutiae of narrow specialties combined with an amazing memory served him well as senior series editor. He will be sorely missed and fondly remembered. I thank the contributing authors for their efforts in bringing this Encyclopedia to fruition. Thanks are also extended to the members of the Editorial Advisory Board for their helpful suggestions and recommendations. Appreciation is also expressed to Ms. Eden Licardo, for her secretarial assistance, to Mr. José Mendoza for graphics support, and to Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, Head, Center for Climate Systems Research, Columbia University and NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies, New York, for her encouragement and understanding during this lengthy undertaking. <...>