Ice Ages and Interglacials: Measurements, Interpretation, and Models

This book provides a detailed review of terminations of ice ages, including a very attractive theory based on dust deposits on ice sheets. While other books on ice ages are mostly short, popular, and non-technical, the only book that attempts to deal with the broad issues of what we know about past ice ages and why they occur is the book by Muller and MacDonald (M&M), published by Praxis. However, despite its many good features, this book suffers from an inordinate emphasis on spectral analysis, a lack of coverage of new data, and a very confusing sequence of chapters. As a result, the data and theory are so intimately entwined that it is difficult to separate one from the other. This volume provides an independent and comprehensive summary of the latest data, theories and analysis. This third edition of what has become the premier reference and sourcebook on ice ages addresses recent topics, and includes new references, new data, and a totally new, greatly expanded treatment of terminations of ice ages.

Author Biography: Donald Rapp has had a long and varied science and engineering career with since receiving his Ph.D. from the University of California in January 1960. He was a professor for 14 years, and achieved the rank of full professor at the age of 40. Over the years, he has developed a unique talent to move into a field, research it thoroughly, and write an incisive, perceptive summary of that field. His capabilities are widely sought for writing summary technical reports and technical proposals. He has published numerous scientific papers and eight textbooks: Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Solar Energy, Financial Bubbles, Human Missions to Mars, Use of Extraterrestrial Materials in Human Missions to Mars and the Moon, The Climate Debate, and Assessing Climate Change. His eight books are summarized at: http://home.earthlink.net/~drdrapp

Preface.- 1. History and Description of Ice Ages.- 2. Variability of the Earth's climate.- 3. Ice core methodology.- 4. Ice core data.- 5. Ocean sediment data.- 6. Other data sources.- 7. Overview of the Various Models for Ice Ages.- 8. Variability of the Earth's Orbit: Astronomical Theory.- 9. Comparison of Astronomical Theory with Data.- 10. Interglacials.- 11. Terminations of Ice Ages.- 12. Status of Our Understanding.- 13. References.