Geosciences Department Seminar
February 12 th , 2016 at 12-1pm in ENR2 S210
Causes and Consequences of the
Short-Lived 5°C PETM Warming
Dr. Wallace Broecker
Newberry Professor
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Columbia University,
Palisades, NY
About the Speaker
Dr. Wallace S. Broecker, better known as Wally, is the Newberry Professor of Geology in the
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Columbia University. Wally's main research
has focused on defining the ocean’s role in climate change. He was one of the pioneers in
radiocarbon and uranium series dating – quintessential tools for mapping the Earth's past
climate fluctuations. He was the first to describe the so-called Ocean Conveyor Belt and its
critical role in climate fluctuations, and is also credited with coining the phrase “global warming”.
His recent work puts him among the leaders in calling for action to halt the build-up of
anthropogenic carbon dioxide.
Wally has authored or coauthored over 500 journal articles and 11 books. He is a Fellow of the
American Academy of Arts and Sciences; a member of the National Academy of Sciences; a
Foreign Member of the Royal Society; a Fellow of the American Geophysical Union and of the
European Geophysical Union. He was presented the 1996 National Medal of Science by President
Bill Clinton. He has received the Alexander Agassiz Medal of the National Academy of Sciences;
the Urey Medal of the European Association of Geochemistry; the V.M. Goldschmidt Award from
the Geochemical Society; the Vetlesen Prize from the G. Unger Vetlesen Foundation; the
Wollaston Medal of the Geological Society of London; the Roger Revelle Medal of the American
Geophysical Union; the Tyler Prize; the Blue Planet Prize of the Asahi Glass Foundation; the
Crafoord Prize; the Balzan Prize; and the BBVA Foundation’s ‘Frontiers of Knowledge’ Award.