Accepting Agassiz’ theory of the Ice Age, Adhémar proposed that an astronomical cycle – the precession of the equinoxes – affects the melting of polar ice caps and thereby may lead to a catastrophic rise in sea level around the globe. Adhémar’s theory influenced James Croll and the development of the Croll-Milankovitch cycle, which is regarded today as one of the factors underlying recurrent ice ages and global climate change.