Project Info
Climate zones in extreme greenhouse world
Piret Plink-Bjorklund | pplink@mines.edu
The goal of this project is to collect literature data on global climate during one of the well-studied past greenhouse climates of Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) and produce a global climate map. The project aims to show visually (as maps) how different the climate is during such extremely warm periods, and provide data for a modeling study of atmospheric circulation change mechanisms during global warming. We hypothesize that the global look at the PETM temperature and especially precipitation conditions will reveal significant widening of the Hadley Cell in extremely warm conditions.
More Information
A recent paper that synthesizes climate data of the Paleocene-Eocene thermal maximum: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.gloplacha.2017.07.014
Research group website: https://www.mines.edu/sedimentology/
Grand Engineering Challenge: Not applicable
Student Preparation
Qualifications
No specific qualifications needed other than a strong wish to learn.
Time Commitment
4-5 hours/week
Skills/Techniques Gained
The student will learn how to set up and conduct research projects, including scientific questions and testable hypothesis, how to plan and conduct work that ensures results, and how to disseminate the results by conference presentations or publications. The student will learn what characterizes different climate types and how they change during global warming. The student will also develop techniques of spatial data analyses and presentation using GIS or other platforms.
Mentoring Plan
The student will work closely with me. We will set up regular bi-weekly meetings to monitor the progress. We will together develop a research plan and decide on expected outcomes. The student is also invited to join weekly research group meetings and any other activities. I will encourage the student to present at the department’s yearly science fair as well as at a major conference, and to co-author a publication.