Geologic approach to the long-term history of atmospheric circulation.

Eolian dust preserved in deep-sea pelagic sediments can be used as a proxy indicator of paleoclimate. Analyses of the particle size, composition, and mass accumulation rate of dust grains provide independent evidence of the intensity of atmospheric circulation and the availability of material in the eolian source region. These data provide information on atmospheric circulation and on the climate of the source area at time scales ranging from 103 to 108 years and have the potential to test computer-generated global circulation models.