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University of New Hampshire
Earth Science – Oceanography
2011
Mentor: Dr. Rosemarie E. Came, UNH Department of Earth Sciences
Reconstructing the Monsoon Climate in India
The Asian monsoon affects one of the most densely populated regions on Earth. People in monsoon regions depend on the rains for agriculture and drinking water. Despite its economic and social importance, very little is known about the forcing mechanisms that affect the Asian monsoon.
In my study, I intend to reconstruct variability in the Asian monsoon over the last 20,000 years. I will geochemically analyze the fossil shells of the benthic foraminifer, Hoeglundina elegans, in order to link changes in monsoon intensity with known changes in global climate. Understanding monsoon variability in the past will help predict how monsoons will react to future climate change.