Ask a Scientist: The Power of Nature: Tornadoes, Hurricanes, and Climate Change

Hurricanes, tornadoes, forest fires and ice storms are some of the climate related destructive natural disasters we hear about in the news. Do you have questions about the weather or climate or the many natural disasters they cause? Nick Randazzo is a PhD candidate who studies both geology and chemistry to understand the climate of the earth during ancient times. By studying the climate of ancient times he hopes it will help to find evidence of life on other planets. Prior to his doctoral work, Nick obtained his Bachelor of Earth and Environmental Science and Master of Science from McMaster in the School of Geography and Earth Sciences. As a doctoral student studying Earth Science and Astrobiology (geochemistry and astrobiology) his research aims to use both geology and chemistry (geochemistry) to understand the climate during the Late Cretaceous (~90 million years ago!) as well as find evidence of life on other planets. Nick has been a teaching assistant for numerous climate and Earth science based courses focusing on ancient climates, the hydrosphere and biosphere, Earth processes and history, as well as climate and disease.