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Climatology, History of

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Encyclopedia of World Climatology

Part of the book series: Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series ((EESS))

Since the mid-1980s the content and research topics of climatology have broadened considerably. Less-developed topics, such as teleconnections and periodicities, have attained new significance. Additionally, during this period the ready availability of data and information via the worldwide web and the enhancement of data processing and modeling have also produced new research directions. This more recent history is dealt with in many pages of this volume. As a result the historical perspective provided here provides information up to the time prior to the explosive development of paleoclimatology and the paradoxes of global warming. It deals with the history of climatology to the mid-1980s.

Introduction

In one sense climatology has no special history. Outdoor people — farmers, foresters, sailors — have always been aware of their environment, its physical and chemical dimensions, and its biological effects. As Brooks (1948, p. 155) said: “Anyone who has lived here [Charlottesville,...

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Cross-references

  1. Applied Climatology

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  2. Archeoclimatology

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  3. Bioclimatology

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  4. Climate Classification

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  5. Climatology

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  6. Microclimatology

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Authors
  1. David H. Miller
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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Indiana State University, Terre Haute, USA

    John E. Oliver

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Miller, D.H. (2005). Climatology, History of. In: Oliver, J.E. (eds) Encyclopedia of World Climatology. Encyclopedia of Earth Sciences Series. Springer, Dordrecht . https://doi.org/10.1007/1-4020-3266-8_53

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