Secrets of the Ice Ages: The Role of the Mediterranean Sea in Climate Change

The theme of the book is the connection between the cyclic ice ages shown by the marine geological records and the variations of received solar energy (insolation) due to changes in the earth's orbit and the earth's distance from the sun. The insolation variations modulate the African monsoons and storm activity, which alter Mediterranean salinity and outflow. The outflow modulates the oceanic conveyor belt which decisively influences the paths of storms bringing moisture to the ice-sheet areas. It is the moisture supply that governs the fate of the ice sheets rather than warmer or cooler climate, and the next ice age may be started in a few decades by a sharp increase in moisture delivered to the Canadian ice-sheet regions by storms. This narrative-style book is an easy read for anyone with a strong interest in climate change, and is a must for students and professionals in the earth-science fields.Robert G. Johnson is the author of 'Secrets of the Ice Ages: The Role of the Mediterranean Sea in Climate Change', published 2002 under ISBN 9780971563001 and ISBN 0971563004.