Select to expand quote
Carantoc said..Not being a scientist I doubt I understand but if we were to plot the Greta epoch on there would it look something like ?
Also, not much correlation between CO2 and temperature there during the Mesozoic era. Was that due to dinosaurs farting methane ? Maybe farting cows will actually be our saviour ?
With the help of the internet thingy I found these explanations:
1. Variations in Continental Configuration
Tectonic Shifts:
- The Mesozoic was marked by the breakup of the supercontinent Pangaea into smaller landmasses. These shifts dramatically altered ocean currents and atmospheric circulation patterns.
- For example, the opening of the Tethys Sea and the formation of the Atlantic Ocean created new ocean circulation patterns, which redistributed heat differently across the globe.
Land-Sea Distribution
- The ratio of land to sea impacts heat absorption and reflection. Large continents tend to heat up more than oceans, while oceans moderate temperatures through heat storage and transport.
2. Changes in Ocean Circulation
- Ocean Heat Transport
- During periods when ocean circulation was strong, heat was more evenly distributed across the globe. In contrast, weaker circulation could lead to localized temperature extremes.
- For instance, the formation of the Cretaceous Interior Seaway in North America created unique regional climates by altering ocean currents.
-Sea Level Fluctuations
- High sea levels during much of the Mesozoic submerged significant portions of continents, creating shallow seas. These seas absorbed and redistributed heat differently than land, contributing to regional climate variability.
3. Volcanism and Tectonic Activity
- Long-Term Volcanism
- Although CO2 levels were relatively stable on average, periods of intense volcanism (e.g., the formation of Large Igneous Provinces like the Central Atlantic Magmatic Province and the Ontong Java Plateau caused short-term spikes in CO2 and other greenhouse gases.
- Volcanic aerosols, such as sulfur dioxide, could temporarily cause cooling by reflecting sunlight, creating short-term fluctuations in temperature.
- Continental Uplift
- Tectonic activity also drove the uplift of mountain ranges, increasing silicate weathering rates. This process draws down CO2, leading to regional and temporal cooling despite overall high CO2 levels.
4. Solar Radiation
- Gradual Increase in Solar Output
- Over the Mesozoic, the Sun's output increased slightly due to stellar evolution, contributing to a gradual warming trend over millions of years.
- Orbital Variations
- Changes in Earth's orbit and axial tilt (Milankovitch cycles) led to variations in the distribution and intensity of solar radiation, causing periodic climate shifts.
5. Albedo (Surface Reflectivity) Changes
- Ice-Free Polar Regions
- The Mesozoic had periods of ice-free poles, which significantly reduced Earth's albedo and amplified warming. Conversely, during cooler phases, temporary ice cover could increase albedo, reflecting more sunlight and causing localized cooling.
- Vegetation and Land Cover
- Changes in vegetation cover, driven by the evolution of different plant species, influenced the amount of solar radiation absorbed by the Earth's surface. Dense forests absorb more heat, whereas barren or reflective surfaces (e.g., deserts) increase albedo.
6.Methane and Other Greenhouse Gases
- Methane Hydrates
- Episodic releases of methane from ocean sediments or wetlands could have caused transient warming events, amplifying temperatures independently of CO2 levels.
- Nitrous Oxide and Other Gases
- Biological activity, such as the decomposition of organic matter in warm, anoxic seas, released other greenhouse gases, contributing to temperature variability.
7. Biological Evolution and Feedbacks
- Marine Productivity
- Variations in ocean nutrient levels affected plankton blooms, which impacted the drawdown of CO2through the biological pump.
- For example, the rise of calcareous plankton in the Jurassic influenced carbon burial rates, affecting CO2 concentrations and climate.
8. Vegetation Evolution
- The emergence and spread of flowering plants during the Cretaceous altered carbon cycling and water vapour feedbacks, influencing climate variability.