Younger Dryas: Canadian Comet Impact Triggered Climate Shift?

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Mukul Sharma from Dartmouth presents compelling evidence suggesting that a significant meteor impact in Quebec, occurring around 12,900 years ago, is the primary cause of the Younger Dryas climate shift, rather than the previously considered rapid draining of Lake Agassiz. This impact coincides with the onset of the cold period and is linked to other significant events, such as the extinction of megafauna and changes in agricultural practices among Native American populations. The findings are expected to be published in PNAS, a journal known for including speculative research, prompting a call for cautious interpretation until the paper is officially released.
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Pre-publish article:

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2013/0...d_for_triggering_younger_dryas_climate_shift/

Mukul Sharma of Dartmouth claims there is very good evidence that the extremely rapid draining of Lake Agassiz about 12900ya is only a partial contributor to the cold period (Younger Dryas) that started 12900ya. There is geological evidence of a large meteor impact in Quebec at the same time. He claims that is the primary cause.

The register article mentions other posited effects: start of the Megafauna extinction, an increase agriculture by Native American peoples.

I think we should reserve judgement until the paper is out. But a "head's up" is in order.
This will be out shortly in PNAS, which is kind of home to somewhat speculative articles sometimes. IMO. Obviously they are refereed papers.
 
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Thank you Jim!
 
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