Posted on 06/19/2015 12:15:00 AM PDT by SunkenCiv
University of New South Wales Australia-led research on limestone formations in a remote Scottish cave has produced a unique 3000-year-long record of climatic variations that may have influenced historical events including the fall of the Roman Empire and the Viking Age of expansion.
The study of five stalagmites in Roaring Cave north of Ullapool in north-west Scotland is the first to use a compilation of cave measurements to track changes in a climate phenomenon called the North Atlantic Oscillation.
'Our results also provide the longest annual record of this important phenomenon, which has a big impact on the climate in Europe,' says study leader, UNSW Professor Andy Baker.
'It confirms that the during the Medieval Warm Period between 1080 and 1430 the oscillation index was in an unusually prolonged positive phase, which brings increased rain to Scotland and drier conditions in the western Mediterranean,' says Baker, of the UNSW Connected Waters Initiative Research Centre.
'Our results also reveal there was another persistent positive phase between 290 and 550, which coincides with the decline of Rome and a period of intensified human migration in southern Europe during the Dark Ages.
'This was followed by a persistent negative phase between 600 and 900 which may have provided warm and dry conditions in northwestern Europe that made it suitable for westward expansion by the Vikings, although the precise timing of this event is contested.'
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
Roaring Cave in Scotland. A study of its limestone has produced a unique 3000-year-long record of climatic variations that may have influenced historical events including the fall of the Roman Empire and the Viking Age of expansion. Credit: Courtesy of UNSW
from deep in the archives:I like that closing sentence -- "future decision-making could be made based on scientific data and not on political expediency". I wouldn't count on it, but that would be great.Caves reveal clues to UK weatherAt Pooles Cavern in Derbyshire, it was discovered that the stalagmites grow faster in the winter months when it rains more. Alan Walker, who guides visitors through the caves, says the changes in rainfall are recorded in the stalactites and stalagmites like the growth rings in trees. Stalagmites from a number of caves have now been analysed by Dr Andy Baker at Newcastle University. After splitting and polishing the rock, he can measure its growth precisely and has built up a precipitation history going back thousands of years. His study suggests this autumn's rainfall is not at all unusual when looked at over such a timescale but is well within historic variations. He believes politicians find it expedient to blame a man-made change in our weather rather than addressing the complex scientific picture.
by Tom Heap
-Thousands of climate "scientists" subsisting on "global warming" grants
I spent quite a but of time in a gold mine, (yes, an actual gold mine!), and one of the things I noticed right away is if you go more than 50 feet in or so, it’s ALWAYS the same.
Pretty much. There is no weather.
There’s so much “climate change” strings-attached money that a lot of actually scientific stuff is getting done instead. :’)
Looks like the cave from Monty Python.
Hmm, it does at that — I wonder...
Here in Grand Rapids, gypsum used to be mined. That was played out long ago, but that temperature stability you mentioned has proved an asset for longterm storage of important documents and whatnot, for various businesses.
“the more water in the peat, the more slowly the stalagmites grow.”
What a bunch of BS! More water would lead to more stalagmite growth, not less.
Is the cave remote or the study?
The odds of finding out. ;’)
Wow, a nonpolitical scientist. I hope his funding is secure.
“More water would lead to more stalagmite growth, not less.”
I noticed that too, and it made me wonder about science reporters.
Is there some kind of gild law which requires them to include at least one stupid mistake in every article?
Or maybe they do it just to see if anybody is paying attention?
What else could explain it?
“Grand Rapids”
I don’t get all the way to Michigan very often, but just drove through Grand Rapids, on my way to Muskegon.
Delightful weather today, beautiful state.
Will relax near Macanaw City next week.
;-)
Have a great time! Mackinac Island is car-free (the only motorized vehicles are of the emergency variety) if the hurly-burly of the mainland traffic up by the straits gets distracting. :’)
The stuff I see out of so called “scientists” is a joke. Has political correctness taken over the field of science? I am not a scientist, but I don’t buy the BS that they try to lay on us.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.
