In a new study, scientists use the new “ostracod-clumped isotope thermometer” to reconstruct a much warmer Late Pleistocene/Early Holocene Mediterranean climate.
Today’s average summer and winter temperatures are 22°C (21.4°C) and 8°C, respectively, at Central Italy’s Lake Trasimeno.
Around 11,000-12,000 years ago, when CO2 hovered in the 220-230 ppm range, summer temperatures averaged 25°C, sometimes rising to 27°C. This is at least 3°C warmer than today.
As CO2 concentrations rose into the Early Holocene (9,000 to 10,000 years ago), the ostacod-clumped isotope thermometer indicates summer temperatures at this location dipped to 23°C (22.5 to 23.2°C).
During this same period winter temperatures averaged 12°C (11.8°C), which is “4°C warmer than today.”
Image Source: Marchegiano et al., 2024
via NoTricksZone
June 17, 2024 at 10:37AM
Iowa Climate Science Education 