Terrestrial evidence for volcanogenic sulfate-driven cooling event ~30 kyr before the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction

Summary

The study investigates the impact of Deccan volcanism on climate change during the Cretaceous-Paleogene (K-Pg) boundary. It analyzes terrestrial evidence, including lignite records, to determine the timing, duration, and magnitude of climate change. The results suggest a 3°C warming trend over 100 kyr, followed by a 2-5°C cooling event 30 kyr before the K-Pg boundary, likely caused by sulfur emissions.

Highlights

• Deccan volcanism led to a 3°C warming trend over 100 kyr.
• A 2-5°C cooling event occurred 30 kyr before the K-Pg boundary.
• Sulfur emissions likely caused the cooling event.
• Lignite records provide valuable terrestrial evidence of climate change.
• The study challenges previous models of Deccan volcanism-induced climate change.
• The findings have implications for understanding the K-Pg extinction event.
• The study demonstrates the importance of considering terrestrial evidence in climate change research.

Key Insights

• The Deccan volcanism-induced warming trend was likely caused by CO2 emissions, which had a significant impact on the climate.
• The cooling event 30 kyr before the K-Pg boundary was likely caused by sulfur emissions, which had a short-term but significant impact on the climate.
• The study highlights the importance of considering multiple lines of evidence, including terrestrial records, when reconstructing past climate change events.
• The findings suggest that the K-Pg extinction event was not solely caused by the cooling event, but rather by a combination of factors, including climate change and other environmental stressors.
• The study demonstrates the value of using lignite records as a proxy for past climate change, particularly in regions where other records may be limited.
• The results have implications for understanding the impact of large-scale volcanic events on the climate and the potential for future climate change.
• The study emphasizes the need for continued research into the causes and consequences of the K-Pg extinction event, including the role of Deccan volcanism and other environmental factors.

Mindmap

Citation

O’Connor, L. K., Jerrett, R. M., Price, G. D., Lyson, T. R., Lengger, S. K., Peterse, F., & van Dongen, B. E. (2024). Terrestrial evidence for volcanogenic sulfate-driven cooling event ~30 kyr before the Cretaceous–Paleogene mass extinction. In Science Advances (Vol. 10, Issue 51). American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.ado5478