Key Earth Science Links
Paleogene (Tertiary) Period—Eocene global warming
The Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Event. Phil Jardine, Paleontology online. Good, concise explanation of this ancient global warming event, including climate change and its effect on different types of life (mammals, plants, etc.).
Prehistoric climate change and why it matters now. 2009. Smithsonian Institution. Online lesson lets students use fossil leaves from various Eocene tree species and mathematical formulas to calculate average annual temperatures and Eocene temperature change.
Methane hydrate and abrupt climate change. G. Dickens, 2004, Geotimes. Brief explanation of methane hydrates, carbon cycling, and evidence that release of methane from hydrates may have been responsible for the abrupt climate change in the Eocene. This is one possible cause of the Eocene warming event.
Ocean Burps and Climate Change? Schmidt, G., 2003, NASA. Short description of the author's research on the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM). Shows abrupt change in isotopes and inferred ice volumes at the PETM and hypothesizes that increased methane emissions, possibly from methane hydrates, were the cause of the warming event. See also Methane for a discussion of the importance of methane and methane hydrates on potential climate change.
Subtropical Arctic Ocean Temperatures. Nature. Slurjs, A., and others, 2006. Technical article provides evidence for an ice-free arctic during the Eocene thermal maximum.