Overview
Paleotemperature is a measure of the ancient temperatures of past climates. It is essential for understanding natural climate history as it reveals how ancient environments have evolved over time. Paleotemperature data can be used to inform current climate models and forecasts, as it helps to track climate trends and gives insight into whether current climate conditions are unprecedented. It can also reveal ocean currents and circulation patterns that were active in the past, but have changed in the present day. Paleotemperature data is collected from the study of fossils, ice cores, lake and ocean sediments, and tree rings, among other sources.