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Paleoclimatology Data

Associated Agencies

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI)

Paleoclimatology data are derived from natural sources such as tree rings, ice cores, corals, and ocean and lake sediments. These proxy climate data extend the archive of weather and climate information hundreds to millions of years. The data include geophysical or biological measurement time series and some reconstructed climate variables such as temperature and precipitation.

NCEI provides the paleoclimatology data and information scientists need to understand natural climate variability and future climate change. NCEI also operates the World Data Service for Paleoclimatology, which archives and distributes data contributed by scientists around the world.

How to

What can I do with these data?

Search the database for types, dates, or specific locations. View results online, or download data to map or graph.

  • Use tree ring data to reconstruct drought patterns of the past.
  • Use borehole data to reconstruct temperature patterns in the Arctic tundra.
  • Use fire history data from fire scars in tree rings, and charcoal sediments in lakes to analyze fire climate interactions.

How to use this site:

Use the selection menus to:

  • Select the data type
  • Select the region of interest

Access

Paleoclimatology Drought Variability Datasets: list of available drought variability datasets 

Paleoclimatology Datasets: list of available datasets

International Multi-Proxy Paleofire Database: access fire history datasets