Abstract
Recent theoretical1–6 and observationa7–10 demonstrations of depression in surface temperature of the Earth due to explosive volcanic eruptions have provided a more exact basis for speculations that explosive volcanicity may have had a climatic impact11–15 during periods over the past 2 Myr. In this letter, broad volcanic–climate relationships are assessed over a longer period by comparing the dates of global explosive phases and of volcanic–plutonic phases with paleotemperature and glaciation records from the Neogene. Analysis of these records indicates significant relationships between the explosive and volcanic–plutonic phases and Neogene temperature decline and also a correspondence between the three greatest explosive and volcanic-plutonic phases and glacial expansion. The second highest global explosive peak was coincident with recently suggested dates of around 3.2 Myr for the initiation of the late Cenozoic glacial age. Further testing of these relationships is necessary to resolve inconsistencies in the late-middle to early-late Miocene and in the late Pliocene.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Reitan, C. H. Quat. Res. 4, 25–38 (1974).
Baldwin, B. et al. Nature 263, 551–555 (1976).
Pollack, J. B. et al. J. geophys. Res. 81 1071–1083 (1976).
Bryson, R. A. & Dittberner, G. J. J. atmos. Sci. 33, 2094–2106 (1976).
Hansen, J. E., Wang, W. C. & Lacis, A. A. Science 199, 1065–1068 (1978).
Hunt, B. G. in Climatic Change and Variability : A Southern Perspective (eds Pittock, A. B. et al.) 263–268 (Cambridge University Press, 1978).
Bray, J. R. Adv. ecol. Res. 7, 177–233 (1971).
Yamamoto, R., Iwashima, T. & Hoshiai, M. J. met. Soc. Jap. Ser. II. 53, 482–486 (1975).
Oliver, R. C. J. appl. Met. 15, 933–950 (1976).
Mendonca, B. G., Hanson, K. J. & DeLuisi, J. J. Science 202 513–515 (1978).
Bray, J. R. Nature 248, 42–43 (1974).
Bray, J. R. Nature 252, 677–680 (1974).
Kennett, J. P. & Thunell, R. C. Science 187, 497–503 (1975).
Bray, J. R. Science 197, 251–254 (1977).
Bradley, R. S. & England, J. Nature 271, 736–738 (1978).
Kennett, J. P. J. geophys. Res. 82, 3843–3860 (1977).
Margolis, S. V. et al. Science 189 555–557 (1975).
Buchardt, B. Nature 275, 121–123 (1978).
Savin, S. M., Douglas, R. G. & Stehli, F. G. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 86 1499–1510 (1975).
Devereux, I. N.Z.J. Sci. 10 988–1011 (1967).
Dorman, F. H. J. Geol. 74, 49–61 (1966).
Berggren, W. A. Lethaia 5, 195–215 (1972).
Frakes, L. A. in Climatic Change and Variability: A Southern Perspective (eds. Pittock, A. B. et al.) 53–69 (Cambridge University Press, 1978).
Bandy, C. L., Butler, E. A. & Wright, R. C. Science 166 607–609 (1969).
Kennett, J. P., McBirney, A. R. & Thunell, R. C. J. Volcanol. geothermal Res. 2, 145–163 (1977).
Ishida, S., Maenaka, K. & Yokoyama, T. Chishitsugaku Zasshi. 75, 183–197 (1969).
Williams, D. F., Thunell, R. C. & Kennett, J. P. Science 201, 252–254 (1978).
Shackleton, N. J. & Opdyke, N. D. Nature 270, 216–219 (1977).
Ledbetter, M. T., Williams, D. F. & Ellwood, B. B. Nature 272, 237–239 (1978).
Weaver, F. M. Fla State Univ., Sedimentol. Res. Lab., Report 36 (1973).
Kvasov, D. D. & Blezhchishin, A. I. Nature 273, 138–140 (1978).
Fridleifsson, I. B. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 88 1689–1693 (1977).
Curry, R. R. Science 154, 770–771 (1966).
Mercer, J. H. Nature 274, 926 (1978).
Denton, G. H., Armstrong, R. L. & Stuiver, M. in The Late Cenozoic Glacial Age (ed. Turekian, K. K.) 267–306 (Yale University Press, New Haven, 1971).
Hein, J. R., Scholl, D. W. & Miller, J. Science 199 137–141 (1978).
Stewart, R. J. Nature 258 505–507 (1975).
Scheidegger, K. F. & Kulm, L. D. Bull. geol. Soc. Am. 86 1407–1412 (1975).
Bray, J. R. Nature 260 414–415 (1976).
Kennett, J. P. in The Sea Vol. 8 (ed. Emiliani, C.) (in the press).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Bray, J. Neogene explosive volcanicity, temperature and glaciation. Nature 282, 603–605 (1979). https://doi.org/10.1038/282603a0
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/282603a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
