Relationship between isotopic compositions and climate
Use a classroom/laboratory activity that demonstrates the recreation of the climate of the last 500,000 years approximately using oxygen and hydrogen isotopic compositions of ice cores from Antarctica.
- Now, explore the relationship between isotopic compositions and climate through a hands-on classroom/laboratory activity, "From Isotopes to Temperature".
- In this activity, your can analyze isotopic compositions of ice core data from Antarctica to infer past temperatures and climate.
Ice core extraction
- Use the data to plot graphs in MS Excel or similar tool to perform data analysis and interpretation.
- Download the documents for the From Isotopes to Temperature Lab. Read the content in the PowerPoint Presentation (background information).
- Download the files and conduct the activity described in Lab 1 of the module.
CO2 and Temperature data from ice-cores from Vostok, Antarctica base
Activity Developed by Spruce Schoenemann, UW Earth and Space Sciences