Last Glacial Maximum

Kristine DeLong, Louisiana State University, SERC On The Cutting Edge Collection

In this activity for undergraduates, students explore the CLIMAP (Climate: Long-Range Investigation, Mapping and Prediction) model results for differences between the modern and the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM) and discover the how climate and vegetation may have changed in different regions of the Earth based on scientific data.

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Notes from our reviewers

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Lesson should start with an introduction to the model that was used in the CLIMAP study.
Engages learners in critical scientific thought by discussing the assumptions made in the CLIMAP study in 1976 and 1984 compared to what we know now about climate change since the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). Model output data is somewhat dated, but because it is focused on paleoclimatic data it still provides valid information about the climatic conditions during the last glacial maximum. Comment from expert scientist: The activity uses a widely-accessible and heavily cited model of climate conditions for the Last Glacial Maximum and the present. The CLIMAP model can be viewed on a variety of scales (global to sub-regional) and considers a great variety of paleoclimate data types. The assumptions used in developing the model are clear in the two papers referenced in this activity, and it is especially useful that students are required to read the papers and explicitly identify the assumptions. The "extra activities" are good at addressing the one, minor scientific concern that the CLIMAP reconstruction is out of date. Indeed, a lot of new paleoclimate data have become available since 1984. It allows students to see the progression of science over periods of years (CLIMAP to COHMAP) and decades (CLIMAP to MARGO), which is absolutely important.