A data record that substitutes for direct instrumental measurements is called a
A) variation.
B) paleoclimate.
C) correlation.
D) proxy.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

A proxy is a type of indirect measurement or inference, often based on natural archives such as tree rings, ice cores, or sediment layers, that can reveal past environmental conditions or climate patterns. By analyzing the physical or chemical properties of these materials, scientists can reconstruct features such as temperature, precipitation, or atmospheric composition over time. Proxies are useful for extending climate records beyond the instrumental era, which typically only goes back a few decades to a century, and for studying natural climate variability at different spatial and temporal scales.

A Data Record That Substitutes for Direct Instrumental Measurements Is