Model/Simulator: The Geologic Carbon Cycle and Earth’s Climate

A model/simulator to learn about the geologic carbon cycle and its role in stabilizing the Earth’s climate.

Students will run the model after configuring parameters such as the CO₂ degassing rate, the existence of land plants, and the relative land areas. They will observe and analyze plots that show the weathering rate of CO₂ uptake, CO₂ degassing rates, CaCO₃ weathering and burial rates in the ocean, and ocean chemistry.

Use this tool to help your students find answers to:

1. What is the Earth’s silicate thermostat?
2. How does carbon cycle between the lithosphere and the atmosphere through volcanic degassing and weathering?

About the Tool

Tool Name	GEOCARB Geologic Carbon Cycle
Discipline	Earth Sciences
Topic(s) in Discipline	Carbon Cycle, Geologic Carbon Cycle, Volcanic Degassing, Weathering Reaction
Climate Topic	Long-term Cycles and Feedback Mechanisms
Type of Tool	Model/Simulator
Grade Level	Undergraduate
Location	Global
Language	English
Translation
Developed by	David Archer
Hosted at	The University of Chicago
Link	http://climatemodels.uchicago.edu/geocarb/geocarb.doc.html
Access	Online
Computer Skills	Intermediate