Thomas Cronin is a Senior Geologist at the Florence Bascom Geoscience Center.
Dr. Cronin received his BA from Colgate University in Geology in 1972 and MA and PhD in Geology from Harvard University in 1974 and 1977.
Positions: National Research Council Post-doc at the USGS at the Museum of Natural History, Washington DC 1977-1978, research scientist USGS since 1978. NSF-sponsored visiting researcher at Shizuoka University, Japan (1991), lecturer Urbino (Italy) Summer School for Paleoclimatology Faculty (2009-2016), adjunct faculty Georgetown University’s Walsh School of Foreign Service (2005-present), White House Office of Science, Technology and Policy (OSTP) (1996-97).
US Geological Survey research in paleoclimatology, sea-level change, biostratigraphy, geochemistry and ecosystems; more than co-authored 200 scientific articles, more than 60 journals including Science, Nature, Nature Geoscience, Proceedings National Academy of Sciences, Geology, Geophysical Research Letters, Trends in Ecology and Evolution, and Quaternary Science Reviews. Numerous invited articles to proceedings volumes, handbooks & encyclopedias. Written two books, former co-editor of Global & Planetary Change, editorial boards for Journal of Micropaleontology, Marine Micropaleontology, Journal of Paleontology. Frequent manuscript reviews for international journals, proposals to National Science Foundation and other agencies.
In addition to work at OSTP, served on numerous USGS and interagency scientific committees and panels, contributing to USGS program development and informing decision-makers and the public. Published influential studies in the fields of micropaleontology, sea level and climate change, paleoceanography, and ecosystem history. Honors: Brady Medal (TMS London), Duke of Montefeltro Medal (USSP Urbino), Fellow, American Association for Advancement of Science, Wilmot H. Bradley lecture (Geological Society Washington), US Coast Guard Service Medal, AGU Citation for Excellence Reviewing, Bolin Climate Center Annual Lecturer (Stockholm), USGS Leadership, Meritorious Service, and Excellence Awards. Research widely reported in media including NY Times, National Geographic Society, New Scientist, Chesapeake Bay Journal, BBC, NPR, AP, and Fox News. Collaboration with major research institutions across the US, Europe and Asia, mentored numerous bachelors, masters and PhD students.
Current research focused on Land-Sea Linkages in the Arctic, Arctic paleoclimatology and sea-level change. Participated in four Arctic icebreaker research expeditions recovering sediment cores of the last million years of Arctic Ocean history. Work has influenced US Department of Homeland Security, US Coast Guard icebreaker planning, NOAA’s Arctic Program, and the International Ocean Drilling Program deep-sea coring program.
Science and Products
Sea Level and Storm Hazards: Past and Present
Land-Sea Linkages in the Arctic
Science and Products
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Sea Level and Storm Hazards: Past and Present
Sea level and Storm Hazards: Past and Present is a multidisciplinary study of past changes in sea level. Prehistoric shorelines can be used as a baseline for current and future sea level changes under warmer-than-present climate. Emphasis is placed on looking at sea levels during warm periods of the last 500,000 years as well as how base level changes increase the risk of coastal inundation during...Land-Sea Linkages in the Arctic
The Arctic is undergoing historically unprecedented changes in weather, sea ice, temperature and ecosystems. These changes have led to greater coastal erosion, greater export of freshwater, and changes to marine and terrestrial ecosystems, habitats, and productivity, among other trends. Meanwhile, many believe the Arctic “amplifies” large climate changes during both warm periods and ice ages and... - Multimedia
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