The Quaternary Period of Earth’s geologic history spans the last 2.6 million years, and contains repeated climate changes (ice ages), large changes in the chemistry of Earth’s atmosphere, massive extinctions and other evolutionary and ecological changes, the evolution of modern humans, and the emergence of civilization. These climatic, hydrologic, soils, landscape, ecological, evolutionary, and cultural changes offer a rich set of case studies that apply to many topics from Earth system science to natural resource management and economics.

The Shlemon Center is a cross-disciplinary intellectual community focused on using the rich geological, fossil and archeological record of the Quaternary Period to learn about how the Earth’s environment changes and how such changes affect natural resources, such as water and forests, and societies. Few institutions have equal depth and excellence in this area.