Volcanic Activity in North Atlantic Shaped Climate 56 Million Years Ago

A new study suggests that volcanic activity in the North Atlantic region played a significant role in driving climate change during the Paleocene-Eocene Thermal Maximum (PETM) approximately 56 million years ago. The research indicates that increased carbon emissions from the volcanic activity contributed to a spike in greenhouse gases, leading to a positive feedback loop of rising temperatures. The North Atlantic Igneous Province (NAIP), located between Greenland, the United Kingdom, and Norway, was identified as the source of the volcanic activity. Sediment analysis from the island of Fur, Denmark, revealed ash layers and proxies indicating elevated volcanic activity leading up to the PETM. The study highlights the importance of understanding past climate change events to gain insights into future global warming.