Question

How have marine sediments helped scientists learn about ancient climates?

Answer 1

The species of plankton found in sediments and their isotope ratios can show the temperature of the overlying waters when the sediments were deposited.

Answer 2

Sediments on the surface of oceans act as a document of history for the earth. It is a large scale extended collection for a dead and decaying animal, rock, and sand which can help scientist to learn about ancient climates. It tells a scientist about;

1. Drop-stones and ice-rafted ruins act signification of glacial movement.

2. Pollen records in oceanic rocks can give evidence of warmth and aridity of the adjoining areas.

3. Several rock types such as shallow-water limestone are representative of tropic environments, moreover the fossils of coral reefs, also give an implication of past local climate.

4. Several organic particles can be applied to measure water temperature, at least for the moderately recent geological happenings.