Geneva researchers analyze global warming 56 million years ago
Published: Tuesday, Jun 25th 2024, 15:20
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Soil erosion quadrupled when the climate warmed 56 million years ago. This is what researchers in Geneva have discovered by analyzing sediments from this period. According to the researchers, this finding is also important for today's global warming.
For example, they should help to better assess the risks of flooding in the course of global warming, according to a press release issued by the University of Geneva on Tuesday.
56 million years ago, the earth warmed by five to eight degrees Celsius within 20,000 years, presumably due to volcanic eruptions. The warming lasted around 200,000 years and led to considerable disruption of the animal and plant world.
The researchers at the University of Geneva wanted to gain a more precise picture of this warming by conducting geological studies. To do this, they analyzed sediments, i.e. natural rock deposits that are carried into rivers and oceans by wind and rain. The research team examined a specific type of sediment, known as Microcodium grains. According to the researchers, these are a good indicator of the intensity of soil erosion.
The analysis showed that soil erosion must have been particularly severe at the time of the warming. According to the researchers, this means that there must have been intense rainfall and flooding.
According to the researchers, this increase in sediment supply can be observed throughout the Earth's layers from the time of the warming 56 million years ago. Their results were published in the scientific journal "Geology".
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