Articles tagged with Pleistocene Epoch
A new study using radiocarbon dating found that the Northeast Pacific was not an important reservoir of carbon during glacial times, contradicting previous assumptions. The researchers suggest that other potential sources of CO2 during glacial periods need to be explored.
A team of paleontologists has unearthed a 3.6 million-year-old woolly rhino fossil in the Himalayas, revealing key adaptations for surviving in cold environments. The discovery provides crucial insights into the evolution of Ice Age giants and challenges existing theories about their origins.
Researchers found that ancient tides on the East Coast of the US were 3-6 times higher than today, while those in the Bay of Fundy were much lower, with a range up to 55 feet, indicating significant variability over time
Researchers from the Smithsonian Institution and the University of Florida have discovered a bone fragment with an incised image of a proboscidean, dated to around 13,000 years old. The engraving is significant as it provides evidence that people in the Americas during the last Ice Age created artistic images of animals they hunted.
A team of scientists used numerical climate models and oxygen-isotope analysis to determine what caused climate shifts during the last ice age. The study found that Heinrich events were associated with changes in monsoon rainfall intensity, rather than carbon dioxide-induced climate change.
Researchers discovered ancient fossils of amoeba-like organisms that built shells to survive a frozen climate. The findings suggest life recovered relatively quickly after the first major Snowball Earth event, and provide insights into the evolution of shell-building mechanisms in single-celled microbes.
A study published in Ecology Letters found that the last glacial maximum has a significant impact on the current distribution of European scarab dung beetles. The insects' presence is more influenced by the climate of the past glaciation than the present one, with two distinct patterns emerging in the north and south.
A Spanish investigation reveals that glaciation's impact on dung beetle distribution persists in Europe. The analysis shows two distinct patterns of species presence in the north and south, influenced by past and present climates.
A Caltech-led team has debunked a long-held theory about the end of the Marinoan ice age, also known as the "Snowball Earth" ice age. The team found that rocks used as key geologic evidence were formed deep within Earth millions of years after the ice age ended
A team of scientists and Alaska Natives collaborated on the excavation of a cremated child's remains, estimated to be around three years old. The discovery sheds new light on the burial practices and daily lives of Ice Age peoples in Northern North America.
The discovery of Xaasaa Cheege Ts'eniin, a three-year-old child cremated around 11,500 years ago, sheds light on ancient burial practices and daily lives of Ice Age people. The site provides rare insights into the burial practices of Ice Age people and their daily lives.
A set of maps created by the University of Sheffield have illustrated the pattern and speed of shrinkage of the large ice sheet that covered the British Isles during the last Ice Age. The maps use new information on glacial landforms, such as moraines and drumlins, to predict future ice losses in Greenland and Antarctica.
Researchers reconstructed global sea level history over the last 21 thousand years using data from 400 high-quality markers. The study found a gradual rise of 1m/century interrupted by two periods with rapid 'jumps' of up to 2.5m/century, coinciding with climate warming and cooling events.
Researchers from the University of Gothenburg have discovered a new drumlin field, revealing that modern-day glaciers can create these geological formations. The study provides evidence of rapid ice movements and challenges current climate modeling techniques.
A team of researchers found that retreating glaciers created a mosaic landscape with numerous islands, bays, and fiords, allowing new species to develop rapidly. The ancestors of these species survived the ice age in warmer regions, resulting in an exceptional biodiversity in southern Chile.
A new study in Nature sheds light on the end of the last ice age by linking Antarctic warming to New Zealand's glacier retreat. Scientists tracked glacier retreat using moraines and estimated local climate warming, providing clues for understanding Earth's final emergence from the ice age.
New research suggests that dramatic climate changes during the ice age were caused by chaos-dynamical fluctuations, making them challenging to predict. The study analyzed ice cores and found that temperature suddenly rose 10-15 degrees in less than 10 years, only to fall drastically and change again.
A recent study using radiocarbon dating found that a large CO2 release occurred at the end of the last ice age, speeding up its melting. The researchers suggest that this CO2 release may have implications for modern-day climate change.
Rutgers marine scientist Elisabeth Sikes and her colleagues discovered a regional 'de-gassing' of carbon dioxide in the South Pacific and Southern Ocean after the last ice age, challenging global assumptions. This finding has significant implications for understanding ocean CO2 dynamics and geo-engineering.
A new study found geochemical clues near Mauna Kea's summit that tell a story of ancient glacier formation, frequent storms in Hawaii, and the impact of distant climatic events. The research suggests that the growth of the Mauna Kea glacier was caused by both colder conditions and increased precipitation.
The North Pacific branch of the conveyor belt circulation changed drastically around 17,000 years ago, potentially buffering the global impacts of the collapsed Atlantic circulation. This reorganization may have contributed to increased atmospheric CO2 concentration and accelerated glacial meltdown.
A team of researchers proposes a chain of events linked to the melting of northern hemisphere ice sheets, which reconfigured planet's wind belts and led to rapid southern hemisphere warming. This shift triggered a series of cold spells in Greenland and Europe, but also amplified global warming by resetting the planet's thermostat.
A research team found that tropical ocean surface temperatures dropped by 1-3 degrees Celsius during each Ice Age, coinciding with the spread of ice sheets in the Northern Hemisphere. The study suggests carbon dioxide played a major role in controlling global climate patterns, beginning with the Ice Ages and continuing today.
Researchers found a massive carbon dioxide 'burp' occurred 18,000 years ago, locking away CO2 in the deep ocean during the last ice age. This discovery supports the theory that ocean circulation played a significant role in triggering global warming during ice ages.
Researchers found a large shift in the carbon cycle during the Cryogenian period, which may have been triggered by the Sturtian glaciation. The disturbance could have led to the accumulation of organic carbon in the ocean and had far-reaching effects on Earth's climate.
Researchers linked Southwest winter precipitation to North Atlantic temperatures, finding abrupt climate changes occurred during the last Ice Age. The study used a stalagmite from an Arizona cave to reconstruct century-by-century climate records.
Researchers reconstructed spatial patterns of ocean and land surface temperature over the past 1500 years using diverse climate proxies. They found dynamic connections between natural phenomena like El Niño and regional temperature changes.
A study led by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers reveals that the decline of iconic ice age animals like mammoths and mastodons preceded a dramatic shift in North America's plant communities, fueled by wildfires. The research sheds light on the dynamics of extinction and its impact on landscapes.
Researchers at Ohio State University discovered that giant volcanoes played a pivotal role in an ancient ice age and mass extinction. The volcanoes released massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, causing global warming before stopping, which led to the ice age.
A new study links climate swings in Peru's Andes to those in Europe and North America during the Little Ice Age. The research provides precise ages for glacial moraines, shedding light on global-scale glacier activity and climate patterns.
An international body of earth scientists has agreed to move the Quaternary age boundary by 800,000 years, formalizing a natural event marking the start of global climate cooling. This decision ends decades of controversy and provides a fixed point for geological research.
The North Greenland Eemian Ice Drilling project, led by the University of Copenhagen, has reached a depth of 5,767 feet in early August, recovering over a mile of ice core. The project aims to retrieve ice from the last interglacial episode, providing valuable information on past temperatures and precipitation levels.
Researchers have found that slight shifts in solar radiation caused by Earth's rotation and axis are linked to the demise of ice ages. The study, published in Science, confirms a theory developed over 50 years ago and provides a more precise understanding of how ice sheets melt in response to radiative forcing mechanisms.
Research suggests that major changes in ocean current systems can occur gradually, rather than suddenly, and may take place over centuries or even millennia. The study's findings confirm the accuracy of global climate models and provide valuable insights into how the Earth may respond to its current warming.
The tropical rain band is shifting north at an average rate of 1.4 kilometers per year, which could lead to droughts in Pacific islands and reduced freshwater supplies by mid-century or sooner. The shift is attributed to the warming world, with greenhouse gases potentially accelerating this process.
Researchers reconstructed CO2 levels over the past 2.1 million years, revealing that today's levels are 38% higher than the highest recorded levels in history. The study confirms that warmer intervals coincided with higher carbon dioxide levels, shedding new light on the earth's cycles of cooling and warming.
A team of scientists discovered that the Great Oxygenation Event coincided with the first widespread ice age on Earth. The oxygenation of the atmosphere led to a decrease in greenhouse gases, resulting in a significant drop in surface temperatures.
A new study from the Niels Bohr Institute suggests that changes in CO2 levels can suddenly reach a critical threshold, triggering dramatic climate shifts. The Earth's climate is controlled by three cycles: orbital eccentricity, axial tilt, and rotation, which influence solar radiation.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters proposes that reducing global fossil fuel use by 20% in 2020 and 60% in 2050 could postpone the onset of the next ice age by up to 170,000 years. By building up ice sheets, scientists can regulate climate and extend current interglacial periods.
Researchers analyzed carbon dioxide levels and found a remarkable correlation with climate fluctuations over 70,000 years. The study confirms the validity of computer models projecting a warmer climate due to human activities.
Recent studies shed new light on the late Paleozoic ice age, revealing a dynamic icehouse regime and challenging traditional interpretations. This improved understanding can aid in preparing for rising atmospheric carbon dioxide levels and global temperature increases.
A recent study found that past climate changes and sea level fluctuations may have contributed to the formation of new species in the Amazon. The research, published in PLOS ONE, used leafcutter ants as a model organism to investigate how geography and climate affect species diversity.
Researchers analyzed Greenland ice cores to understand sudden climate changes at the end of the last ice age. The results show that climatic shifts occurred rapidly over just a few years, with dramatic changes in temperature and atmospheric circulation.
A study of a Greenland ice core has shown that two temperature spikes prior to the last ice age were tied to fundamental shifts in atmospheric circulation. The research found abrupt warming events that occurred suddenly, challenging modern societies' ability to adapt, and provided insights into the sequence of climate change
A genetic study suggests that gorilla populations' geographic variation may be tied to Ice Age climate change and river barriers. Regional differences in gorillas were shaped by 'refugia' that harbored suitable habitat remnants.
A new study reveals that the ocean was able to store more CO2 during the ice age than it can today. The team measured carbon isotope signatures in sea bed sediments and found that deep Pacific water has not been at the surface for over 2,000 years.
Researchers found that a unique, highly carnivorous Alaskan wolf species vanished after the end of the last Ice Age. The study revealed a distinct genetic profile and diet, which suggests these wolves were specialized for large prey and possibly scavenging.
A 120-foot sediment core from the Gulf of Guinea reveals a 155,000-year record of continuous monsoon history, tied to Northern Hemisphere climate shifts and local solar radiation. The study demonstrates the sensitivity of the monsoon region to global climate conditions.
A large area of low but increasing gravity over North America has been discovered, reflecting the lingering impact of the last ice age. The study provides an unprecedented image of the geometry of the long-vanished Laurentide ice sheet and reveals that its ghost still hangs over the continent.
A University of Colorado study reveals two ancient 'burps' from the deep ocean, releasing carbon into the upper ocean and atmosphere, contributing to high CO2 levels today. The findings provide insight into natural CO2 cycles and potential impacts of human-caused climate change.
Geologists at PNNL have identified 62 sites with known or suspected mammoth finds, verifying and collecting material from eight locations, including two this spring. Preliminary results suggest most mammoths were buried in the Lake Lewis area at elevations of 600-1,000 feet.
A team of researchers calls for better forecasting of extinction rates due to global warming. They argue that current models overestimate extinction risks and propose eight recommendations to improve forecasts, including clarifying biodiversity definitions and testing existing models more rigorously.
A study published in Science reveals that the transition from an ice age to a greenhouse climate occurred in a series of sharp swings between cold and hot conditions over millions of years. The research, led by Isabel Montanez, shows that atmospheric carbon dioxide levels swung wildly, with a pattern of increasing CO2 and temperatures ...
A study by Ohio State University suggests that the rise of the Appalachian Mountains may have caused a major ice age around 450 million years ago. This phenomenon, known as an 'icehouse' effect, was triggered by the weathering of volcanic rocks and the resulting decrease in atmospheric carbon dioxide levels.
Researchers found that northern peatlands released massive amounts of methane gas, contributing to global warming after the ice age. The study suggests a more complex relationship between climate change and natural processes.
Scientists reconstructed a 45,000- to 60,000-year-old record of ocean temperature and salinity using chemical traces in fossil shells. They found the Atlantic got saltier during cold periods and fresher during warm intervals.
Researchers analyzed carbon isotopes in Greenland ice core samples to determine the source of a 50% increase in atmospheric methane around 12,000 years ago. They conclude that tropical wetlands and plant production are more likely causes than seafloor methane deposits.
A new hypothesis inverts the prevailing view that atmospheric carbon dioxide drives ice sheets. Instead, ice sheets are found to control CO2 levels and drive feedbacks that amplify ice growth and melting at specific cycles.
Researchers discovered a connection between catastrophic freshwater release from glacial lakes in North America and dramatic cooling in climate records approximately 8200 years ago. The study found that the freshwater forcing led to changes in deep ocean currents, which in turn affected northern hemisphere climate.
A new model proposes that the Antarctic ice sheet is more dynamic and capable of change than previously believed. This contradicts the traditional Milankovitch theory, which suggests a stronger influence from Earth's orbit on climate patterns.