NOAA/WDS Paleoclimatology archives a tree-ring width chronology from Onion Valley, California. The dataset provides annual-resolution proxy climate data covering the period from 750 to 37 years before present. It was published by NOAA NCEI and last updated in 1987.
Use Cases
- Reconstruct past temperature or precipitation anomalies in California using the annual tree-ring width series.
- Calibrate climate models by comparing the tree-ring proxy record with instrumental data for validation periods.
- Analyze the frequency and magnitude of historical drought events from the ring-width chronology.
- Study ecological responses to climate forcing by examining growth patterns in the tree-ring time series.
Strengths
- Time series spans 713 calendar years (750 to 37 BP), providing multi-century coverage.
- Data is part of the authoritative PAGES North America 2K network for continental-scale climate reconstruction.
Limitations
- Data recency is limited, with the last update recorded in 1987, potentially missing newer methodological refinements.
- Geographic coverage is restricted to a single site (Onion Valley, CA), limiting regional representativeness.
Provenance
- Source
- NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information (NCEI), World Data Service for Paleoclimatology.
- Collection Method
- Tree-ring analysis (dendrochronology) measuring annual ring widths.
- Time Range
- 750 to 37 calendar years before present (BP).
- Freshness
- 1987-01-01
- Geography
- Onion Valley, California, United States of America.