Sedimentology - from the nature of the sediments. For example, the present distribution of these sediments, their mineralogy, the varied facies represented, features that indicate the agencies of transport and deposition, and the soils that represent former land surfaces. Isotope Geology - can determine past surface and ocean temperatures from studies of terrestrial and marine sediments and polar ice cores. The ice cores can only be used for study of relatively recent climate. This evidence indicates certain climatic factors, such as rainfall , land and ocean temperatures , and the effects of variations in these.
More indirect evidence comes from meteorology, geophysics and astronomy.
Climate variation across the globe Global climate is comprised of a number of local climates. The regional and local change in climate is reflected by the systematic decline of diversity of plants and animals with increasing latitude and altitude. This decline in diversity can be mainly attributed to the fall in temperature and in the case of latitude, due to a lower incidence of sunlight with increasing latitude. Today, climate varies considerably from the equator to the poles. The reconstructed climates at specific times and locations can be compared to determine the variation in climate through time.