Module GEOG3927: PAST CLIMATES OF THE LOW LATITUDES

Department: Geography

GEOG3927: PAST CLIMATES OF THE LOW LATITUDES

Prerequisites

• Any Level 2 GEOG module

Corequisites

• None

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None

Aims

• This specialized module examines the nature of past environmental change (over the past ~2 million years) in low latitude areas not glaciated during the Quaternary. This area, which includes arid, tropical, semi-tropical and temperate environments, holds some exceptionally long palaeoclimate records which greatly inform our understanding of global climate variability. We will examine existing low latitude palaeoclimate reconstructions to build a comprehensive understanding of long-term natural climate variability and explore how these shifts are propagated globally through low to high latitude teleconnections.

Content

• The Intertropical Convergence Zone
• Major modes of oceanic and atmospheric circulation
• Marine and terrestrial palaeoclimate proxies and reconstructions
• Deserts and arid environments
• Humid tropical environments
• Tropical oceans
• Causes and effects of the El Nino Southern Oscillation
• Rapid climate events in the Quaternary
• Local/regional/global connectivity

Learning Outcomes

• On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
• Describe the variety of proxy records that are available for reconstructing Quaternary climate change at low latitudes
• Understand the processes involved in producing different proxy records and be aware of the complexities involved in interpreting those records
• Describe the key drivers (natural and anthropogenic) of low-latitude climate variability
• Understand how the low and high latitudes interact to drive global climate changes

• On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
• Synthesise the findings from different proxy records to form a coherent picture of past environmental change at low latitudes
• Critically evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of different techniques and their usefulness in reconstructing past environments
• To present critical evaluation of the academic literature on low-latitude environments and environmental change

• On successful completion of this module students will be able to:
• Demonstrate analytical skills and present key findings supported by the academic literature clearly in a written form
• Critically engage with complex scientific literature at the cutting edge of geographical research
• Process, evaluate, and interpret climate and palaeoclimate proxy datasets

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Lectures will focus on the subject knowledge learning outcomes, and will be supplemented by recommended reading of the academic literature. Lectures will also incorporate opportunities for students to discuss assigned reading material relevant to that week’s topic.
• Data practicals will give students hands-on experience in climate and palaeoclimate data processing and interpretation. Students will demonstrate their understanding of low latitude climate variability, the key drivers, and global teleconnections through their responses to data practical questions. Verbal formative feedback will be provided during the practicals which will enable students to assess and improve their understanding of low latitude climate variability.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment:

Verbal feedback on the data practical sessions

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University