Did the Oceans Cause the Extinction of the Woolly Mammoth?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the hypothesis that the Storegga Slide, a significant underwater landslide occurring approximately 8,200 years ago, may have contributed to the extinction of the woolly mammoth and other megafauna. Key evidence presented includes research by Jürgen Mienert, which indicates that ocean warming and destabilization of gas hydrates could have led to environmental changes detrimental to these species. The conversation also critiques anthropocentric views on extinction, emphasizing the complexity of climate events and their impacts on prehistoric ecosystems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Storegga Slide and its geological implications
  • Familiarity with gas hydrate stability zones and their role in climate change
  • Knowledge of the Younger Dryas period and its climatic effects
  • Awareness of paleoecological theories regarding megafauna extinction
NEXT STEPS
  • Research the geological impact of the Storegga Slide on marine ecosystems
  • Study the role of clathrates in climate change and their historical significance
  • Examine the Younger Dryas and its effects on prehistoric fauna
  • Investigate alternative hypotheses regarding megafauna extinction, including anthropogenic factors
USEFUL FOR

Researchers in paleoclimatology, geologists studying underwater landslides, environmental scientists, and anyone interested in the factors contributing to the extinction of large mammals during the late Pleistocene.

  • #31
Thanks Andre, I can view your presentation in animation too..
I am learning new things here..
 
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  • #32
Ouabache said:
Thanks Andre, I can view your presentation in animation too..
I am learning new things here..

You're welcome and there is plenty more where this is coming from. For instance the methane hydrate events in the Nordic seas are in pace with the 100,000 years cycle as seen in the Antarctic ice cores, See http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6V9Y-4GY89XG-3&_user=10&_coverDate=12%2F31%2F2005&_alid=831212007&_rdoc=3&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=5911&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=7&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=68346cb2f38caf58685799820c9b117f.

But similar things happened at the mouth of the Amazon: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science?_ob=ArticleURL&_udi=B6VBC-4N2D64D-2&_user=10&_coverDate=04%2F30%2F2007&_alid=831217205&_rdoc=1&_fmt=high&_orig=search&_cdi=5923&_docanchor=&view=c&_ct=7&_acct=C000050221&_version=1&_urlVersion=0&_userid=10&md5=b01dfbf6718cccf4065ce8b81db28fbf.

Apparantly the oceans went rogue at times, causing destabilisation of methane hydrate and also http://www.sciencemag.org/cgi/content/abstract/1138679v1 into the atrmosphere, but why and how and what is cause and what is effect?

I'm sure they are on to something, but what? It should be clear though that -contrary the assessment of the IPCC- we are nowhere near understanding the influence of the oceans on paleo climate
 
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