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What method is used to study the Earth's past climate according to the passage?

Analysis of dust layers from ancient volcanic activity.
Analysis of ice cores and air bubbles.
Analysis of solar activity.
Examination of tree rings.

The correct answer is: Analysis of ice cores and air bubbles.

The study of the Earth's past climate is effectively conducted through the analysis of ice cores and air bubbles. Ice cores are cylindrical samples taken from glaciers and ice sheets, which contain layers of ice that have accumulated over thousands of years. Each layer traps air bubbles that preserve ancient atmospheres, allowing scientists to analyze past concentrations of greenhouse gases, temperature fluctuations, and other climate indicators. This method provides direct evidence of atmospheric conditions over extensive periods, making it a crucial tool for understanding historical climate changes and trends. Other methods mentioned, while they can offer valuable information about climate or environmental conditions, do not provide as comprehensive a picture of past atmospheres as ice core analysis does. Therefore, the choice of analyzing ice cores and air bubbles stands out as the most relevant and effective method for studying the Earth’s climate history.