Warmer Periods May Be Typical during Transitions between Interglacial and Glacial Eras
04.03.2010 - Water & Oceans, Ice & Snow, Bi-polar
The end of the last interglacial era some 115,000 years ago showed significant climate fluctuations, according to a new study. In Central and Eastern Europe, German and Russian climate researchers were able to find that the slow transition between the two latest glacial eras featured at least two possible warming events.
The end of the last interglacial era some 115,000 years ago showed significant climate fluctuations, according to a new study. In Central and Eastern Europe, German and Russian climate researchers were able to find that the slow transition between the two latest glacial eras featured at least two possible warming events.
Through the study of sediments from former lakes in Germany and Russia, researchers have tried to reconstruct the climate history of the Eemian Interglacial. Next to pollen concentrations, they analyzed the levels and ratios of stable carbon (13C/12C) and oxygen isotopes (18O/16O) in carbonates and organic matter from sediment layers to find how vegetation developed and gain a better idea of what was happening with the climate.
Although the results show a relatively stable climate over time, they highlight instabilities at the beginning and end of the Eemian Interglacial. As the observed instabilities could be a naturally occurring characteristic of transition phases, detailed studies might prove important in assessing the human contribution to climate change with more certainty and understanding climate trends.
