Climate and Time in their Geological Relations
A Theory of Secular Changes of the Earth's Climate

Theories on the physical causes of glacial epochs and ocean currents, developed by James Croll and first published in 1875.

James Croll (Author)

9781108048378, Cambridge University Press

Paperback / softback, published 10 May 2012

620 pages, 1 b/w illus. 2 colour illus. 5 maps
21.6 x 14 x 3.5 cm, 0.78 kg

This first book by James Croll (1821–90), published in 1875, includes many of the original geophysical theories that he had formulated throughout the early years of his career. A self-educated amateur, Croll obtained work at the Glasgow Andersonian Museum, which gave him leisure time to pursue his scientific interests. The fluidity of scientific disciplines at the time allowed him to virtually invent the field of geophysics, and his unique insights united ideas previously thought unconnected, such as using physics to explore the causes of the glacial epochs, climatic changes and the circulation and temperature of ocean currents. Croll, whose Stellar Evolution and its Relations to Geological Time is also reissued in this series, later became a Fellow of the Royal Society and of St Andrew's University, but (possibly because of his non-scientific background) he writes in a style which makes his works accessible to a lay readership.

Preface
1. Introduction
2. Ocean-currents in relation to the distribution of heat over the globe
3. Ocean-currents in relation to the distribution of heat over the globe continued
4. Outline of the physical agencies which lead to secular changes of climate
5. Reason why the Southern Hemisphere is colder than the northern
6. Examination of the gravitation theory of oceanic circulation. Lieut. Maury's theory
7. Examination of the gravitation theory of oceanic circulation. Lieut. Maury's theory continued
8. Examination of the gravitation theory of oceanic circulation. Dr Carpenter's theory
9. Examination of the gravitation theory of oceanic circulation. The mechanics of Dr Carpenter's theory
10. Examination of the gravitation theory of oceanic circulation. Dr Carpenter's theory. Objections considered
11. The inadequacy of the gravitation theory proved by another method
12. Mr. A. G. Findlay's objections considered
13. The wind theory of oceanic circulation
14. The wind theory of oceanic circulation in relation to change of climate
15. Warm inter-glacial periods
16. Warm inter-glacial periods in Arctic regions
17. Former glacial epochs. Reason of the imperfection of geological records in reference to them
18. Former glacial epochs, geological evidence of
19. Geological time. Probable date of the glacial epoch
20. Geological time. Method of measuring the rate of subaerial denudation
21. The probable age and origin of the sun
22. A method of determining the mean thickness of the sedimentary rocks of the globe
23. The physical cause of the submergence and emergence of the land during the glacial epoch
24. The physical cause of the submergence and emergence of the land during the glacial epoch continued
25. The influence of the obliquity of the ecliptic on climate and on the level of the sea
26. Coal an inter-glacial formation
27. Path of the ice-sheet in North-western Europe and its relations to the boulder clay of Caithness
28. North of England ice-sheet, and transport of Wastdale Crag blocks
29. Evidence from buried river channels of a continental period in Britain
30. The physical cause of the motion of glaciers. Theories of glacier-motion
31. The physical cause of the motion of glaciers. The molecular theory
Appendix
Index.

Subject Areas: Meteorology & climatology [RBP]