Last Glacial Maximum
Articles tagged with Last Glacial Maximum
Historical climate and geography shaped the phylogeography of a rare mycoheterotrophic herb in subtropical China
A study on the phylogeography of Burmannia nepalensis, a rare mycoheterotrophic herb in subtropical China, found that historical climate fluctuations and geographic isolation shaped its evolutionary history. The research reveals limited gene flow due to mountain barriers and fragmented habitats.
Unexpected feedback in the climate system
Researchers found a surprising correlation between West Antarctic Ice Sheet retreat and marine algae growth over the past 500,000 years. The study suggests that global warming may lead to reduced CO2 uptake if the ice sheet continues to shrink.
New study finds large fluctuations in sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, a significant shift in understanding of past climate
A new study published in Science reveals that large fluctuations in global sea level occurred throughout the last ice age, rather than just at its end. This finding represents a significant shift in researchers' understanding of past climate history and challenges conventional wisdom on the middle Pleistocene transition.
Patagonia’s ice sheet danced to a different beat
The study reveals that the Patagonian ice sheet underwent periods of expansion and contraction, contrary to earlier assumptions. The driving force for long-term fluctuations was found to be changes in summer seasons and solar radiation, known as integrated summer energy.
Melting glaciers could trigger more explosive eruptions globally, finds research
Researchers found that thick ice cover suppressed volcanic eruptions, but as glacial ice melts, pressure builds and magma is released, leading to more frequent and explosive eruptions. This phenomenon could occur worldwide, including Antarctica, and may have global climate impacts, including long-term warming.
Alaska: Ancient cave sediments provide new climate clues
Scientists have discovered land-based evidence of ancient meltwater pulses from the Cordilleran Ice Sheet, shedding new light on climate change mechanisms. The findings suggest that additional climate forces were needed to kick-start ice-sheet retreat beyond energy changes in Earth's orbit.
Scientists match Earth’s ice age cycles with orbital shifts
A team of researchers has matched Earth's ice age cycles with orbital shifts, predicting the onset of the next ice age in approximately 10,000 years. The study analyzes a one-million-year record of climate change and finds a predictable pattern for glacial and interglacial periods.
Scientists embark on first study of Antarctica’s underwater avalanches
The Antarctic Canyon Experiment (ACE) aims to assess the causes and effects of turbidity currents, also known as underwater avalanches, in the Southern Ocean. Researchers hope to develop a better understanding of Antarctica's role in regulating Earth's climate and mitigating carbon emissions.
Ice age clues point to more extreme weather patterns in our future
A new study published in Nature suggests that Earth's last ice age may provide crucial insights into future El Niño weather events. Researchers used ancient shells of marine organisms and advanced climate modeling to shed light on how El Niño patterns might change in a warming world.
Uncovering ancient wonders: The world’s oldest termite mounds found in South Africa
Researchers have discovered ancient termite mounds in Namaqualand, South Africa that date back a staggering 34,000 years. The mounds, which are still inhabited by termites, provide valuable insights into prehistoric climate conditions and natural carbon sequestration processes.
Historic iceberg surges offer insights on modern climate change
A study by Yuxin Zhou of UC Santa Barbara's Department of Earth Science found that Greenland's ice sheet retreat is not sufficient to completely derail the Atlantic circulation. The AMOC will be determined by a tug-of-war between decreasing ice flux and increasing freshwater runoff, which can disrupt the ocean current.
How did the early Great Barrier Reef manage rapid environmental change?
The study found that elevated nutrient levels impacted reef growth, leading to the establishment of slower-growing and more sediment-tolerant coral communities in deeper water. This provides evidence on early Holocene water quality and demonstrates the capacity of the reef to grow under conditions typically considered unsuitable.
Study confirms age of oldest fossil human footprints in North America
New research confirms the age of the White Sands footprints using multiple lines of evidence, including radiocarbon dating and pollen analysis. The study provides strong support for the 21,000 to 23,000-year age estimate, resolving a controversy sparked by earlier results.
Massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age had no impact on nearby Greenland, raising new questions about climate dynamics
A new study from Oregon State University found that massive iceberg discharges during the last ice age triggered rapid warming in Antarctica but had no effect on temperatures in Greenland. This discovery challenges current understanding of global climate dynamics and raises more questions than answers.
Ice Age survivors
The study of 356 prehistoric hunter-gatherers from across Eurasia sheds light on the movements and genetic replacements of ancient populations. Genetic analysis reveals that populations in western Europe took shelter during the Last Glacial Maximum, while those in central and southern Europe died out or replaced with new gene pools.
Prehistoric human migration in Southeast Asia driven by sea-level rise, NTU Singapore study reveals
A recent NTU Singapore study reconstructed the history of The Sundaland using paleogeography and population genetics to show that rapid sea-level rise drove early settlers to migrate, increasing genetic diversity. This finding provides insight into how climate change can profoundly impact human populations.
What crocodile DNA reveals about the Ice Age
Researchers from McGill University found that changes in sea levels during the Ice Age affected crocodile gene flow, isolating Caribbean and Pacific populations with distinct genetic mutations. The study reveals the resilience of American crocodiles to climate swings and highlights the need for targeted conservation efforts in Panama.
Family tree secrets: Island tree populations older, more diverse than expected
A study by the University of Tsukuba found that Siebold's beech populations on Okushiri Island have high genetic diversity, suggesting they may have persisted there since before the last glacial maximum. This challenges the assumption that island populations are less genetically diverse due to geographical isolation.
Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age
Scientists found the Bering Land Bridge was flooded until 35,700 years ago, with its full emergence occurring shortly before human migration to the Americas. The study's findings suggest a less direct relationship between climate and global ice volume, casting doubt on some explanations for ice age cycles.
Bering Land Bridge formed surprisingly late during last ice age, study finds
A new study reconstructs sea level history at the Bering Strait, finding it remained flooded until around 35,700 years ago, less than 10,000 years before the height of the last ice age. This discovery challenges previous timelines and human migration routes into the Americas.
Dust transport in the upper levels of the atmosphere
A new study by researchers from the University of Oldenburg found that particles from central South America were the primary source of iron in the South Pacific during the last two glacial periods. The team's theory suggests that jet stream circulation picked up fine mineral particles on the east side of the Andes and transported them ...
Geneticists discover new wild goat subspecies via ancient DNA
Researchers uncover previously unknown lineage of wild goats over 10,000 years old in the Taurus Mountains of southern Turkey. The discovery sheds light on the region's faunal history and highlights the impact of climate change and human activity on ancient populations.
Early hunting, farming homogenized mammal communities of North America
A new study found that North American mammal communities have become more than twice as homogenous as they were 10,000 years ago, primarily due to early human hunting and farming activities. The accelerated homogenization is likely linked to the spate of large-mammal extinctions, which increased similarity among remaining species.
Stronger overturning circulation in the Pacific during the last glacial period
Researchers analyzed fossil corals to reveal changed ocean current circulation patterns. The data supports a scenario where the upper Pacific Ocean was more mixed during the last ice age, contributing to carbon storage and cooler climates.
Changes in vegetation shaped global temperatures over last 10,000 years
Research suggests that expansion of vegetation in the Northern Hemisphere led to a significant warming of global temperatures between 6,000 and 9,000 years ago. The findings align with paleoclimate proxy records and challenge previous models' limitations in accounting for vegetation changes.
Ice-age remains near Sea of Galilee show ancient residents thrived as ice melted
Researchers analyzed 23,000-year-old fisher-hunter-gatherer camp remains near the Sea of Galilee, finding a diverse diet and lifestyle that defies previous expectations. The site's abundance of animal bones reveals a robust subsistence strategy that utilized varied food sources.
Antarctic ice-sheet destabilized within a decade
A new data-model study suggests that the Antarctic Ice Sheet's tipping point was reached within a decade, leading to centuries of ice mass loss and potential irreversible ice retreat. The research team analyzed sediment cores and computer models to identify evidence of post-glacial tipping points in the past.
29,000 years of Aboriginal history
New research reveals the oldest Indigenous site along Australia's longest river system, confirming a 29,000-year-old occupation timeline for the River Murray region. The findings provide deeper insights into how Aboriginal people responded to climate challenges and stress during the Last Glacial Maximum.
Study suggests remnants of human migration paths exist underwater at 'choke points'
A new study reveals evidence of human prehistory beneath the seas in places that were dry during the Last Glacial Maximum. The researchers found many unknown, transitory islands that would have acted like stepping stones luring travelers eastward across the Bering Strait.
Hickory survival during Last Glacial Maximum
Genomic data from two hickory species suggests that one species survived in a northern microrefuge and expanded to its current range from a southern origin. Phylogeography analysis indicates that the species retreated southward as ice sheets advanced, aiding climate shift responses.
CU-led study says Bering Land Bridge a long-term refuge for early Americans
A CU-led study bolsters the theory that early Americans may have been isolated on the Bering Land Bridge for thousands of years before spreading throughout the Americas. The research links genetics to paleoecological evidence, suggesting a population of hundreds or thousands lived in central Beringia for 5,000 years or more.
Project MARGO: A new tool which improves the reliability of climate models
Researchers created MARGO, a new quantitative tool that reconstructs sea surface temperatures during the Last Glacial Maximum. The study provides more exhaustive data than previous models and helps identify aspects to improve climate modeling, particularly in representing temperature gradients and ocean currents.