Pioneers of the ice age models: a brief history from Agassiz to Milankovitch
<p>It is now widely accepted that astronomical factors trigger the emergence of glacial and interglacial periods. However, nearly two centuries ago, the overall situation was not as apparent as it is today. In this article, I briefly discuss the astronomical model of ice ages put forward in th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Copernicus Publications
2022-03-01
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| Series: | History of Geo- and Space Sciences |
| Online Access: | https://hgss.copernicus.org/articles/13/23/2022/hgss-13-23-2022.pdf |
| Summary: | <p>It is now widely accepted that astronomical factors
trigger the emergence of glacial and interglacial periods. However, nearly
two centuries ago, the overall situation was not as apparent as it is today.
In this article, I briefly discuss the astronomical model of ice ages put
forward in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This period was indeed <i>anni mirabiles</i> for
scientists to understand the ice age phenomenon. Agassiz, Adhémar and
Croll laid the foundation stones for understanding the dynamics of ice ages.
But it was Milankovitch who combined empirical geology with mathematical
astronomy. Specifically, he identified the shortcomings of the preceding ice
age models and modified his model accordingly. In what follows, I review
earlier approaches to the ice age problem and show how they failed to meet
their objectives. Next, I show how Milankovitch's model managed to capture
all sufficient astronomical elements. The final sections focus on Milutin
Milankovitch's successful approach, including his accomplishment of tackling
the problem mathematically.</p> |
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| ISSN: | 2190-5010 2190-5029 |