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Course Overview

Earth’s climate and geological history provide critical insights into present and future environmental change. This Paleoclimatology and Geological Time Studies Training Course introduces participants to the reconstruction of past climates, the study of geological timescales, and the dating techniques used to interpret Earth’s deep history.

The course covers proxy data, stratigraphy, radiometric dating, and climate archives such as ice cores and sediments. Participants will also explore the links between past climate change, tectonics, evolution, and modern climate challenges.

By combining lectures, case studies, and practical analysis, participants will strengthen their ability to analyze geological records and apply paleoclimate knowledge to current geoscience and environmental debates.

Course Benefits

• Gain knowledge of Earth’s climate history and timescales.

• Learn dating techniques for geological and climate studies.

• Analyze climate proxy data (ice cores, sediments, fossils).

• Understand climate change in Earth’s deep past.

• Connect paleoclimate research to present climate challenges.

Course Objectives

• Explain principles of paleoclimatology and geological time.

• Apply dating methods to reconstruct Earth’s history.

• Analyze geological archives for climate reconstruction.

• Understand interactions between tectonics, life, and climate.

• Interpret stratigraphic and fossil records.

• Evaluate paleoclimate insights for modern climate issues.

• Strengthen skills in geological data interpretation.

Training Methodology

The course combines lectures, lab-style exercises, data interpretation, and case studies. Participants will work with real paleoclimate datasets and geological records to practice reconstruction methods.

Target Audience

• Geoscientists and paleoclimatologists.

• Environmental scientists and climate researchers.

• Students and researchers in geology or earth sciences.

• Policy and resource professionals interested in climate history.

Target Competencies

• Paleoclimate reconstruction.

• Geological dating methods.

• Stratigraphy and proxy analysis.

• Interpreting Earth’s climate and time records.

Course Outline

Unit 1: Introduction to Paleoclimatology and Geological Time

• Importance of Earth’s climate and time studies.

• Overview of the geological timescale.

• Methods of reconstructing past climates.

• Role of paleoclimate in modern science.

Unit 2: Geological Timescales and Dating Methods

• Stratigraphy and relative dating.

• Radiometric dating techniques.

• Fossils as indicators of geological time.

• Case studies in dating Earth’s history.

Unit 3: Climate Archives and Proxies

• Ice cores, sediments, and tree rings.

• Isotopes and geochemical proxies.

• Fossil evidence in climate studies.

• Reliability and limitations of proxies.

Unit 4: Climate Change Through Geological Time

• Major climate events (Ice Ages, Greenhouse periods).

• Role of tectonics and volcanism.

• Evolutionary impacts of climate shifts.

• Lessons from past warming and cooling events.

Unit 5: Paleoclimate Insights for the Future

• Linking paleoclimate to present climate change.

• Using models informed by geological data.

• Relevance for sustainability and policy.

• Future directions in paleoclimate research.

Ready to explore Earth’s climate history and geological timescales?
Join the Paleoclimatology and Geological Time Studies Training Course with EuroQuest International Training and gain insights from Earth’s past to inform its future.