Evolution of theoretical and methodological bases for identification of climatic changes, oscillations and pulsations

Abstract

The development of this paper arises from the conceptual distinction between three major groups of climate events based on the durability and temporal cyclicity of a given trend of atmospheric phenomena (climate changes, climate oscillations and climate pulsations). Thus, it aims to chronologically highlight the evolution of some theoretical-methodological bases responsible for the identification of paleoclimatic episodes linked to the established concepts. The analysis was conducted to highlight the first identifications of glacial and interglacial events (climate changes), addressing old nomenclatures and identification techniques based on relative dates. Posteriorly, discussions about the cosmogenic isotope revolution are promoted, responsible for improving the recognition of climate change and early identification of climatic oscillations. It stands out specifically studies of the oxygen isotope ratios (16O, 18O) in foraminifera of seabeds, as well as the new nomenclatures developed. Finally, theoretical discussions are approached that show methodological subsidies from Geosciences for the identification of short-term climatic pulses, that occurred in a recent time scale of nature from different dating methods applied in numerous existing proxies/records. There is an improvement in the identification of paleoclimatic events of different durations and time cycles, consistent with methodological refinements driven by technological advances inherent in Earth Sciences.