Keeling curve

Keeling portrait

In 1958, Charles David Keeling (shown in 1988) began recording atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations at Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii.

SIO Photographic Laboratory records. SAC 0044. Special Collections & Archives, UC San Diego

By Science News

Geochemist Charles David Keeling (shown in 1988) begins tracking the rise in atmospheric carbon dioxide at Mauna Loa in Hawaii. The record, which continues through today, has become one of the most iconic datasets in all of science.