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News Release 09-122

Global Warming Can Impact Monsoons and Lower Crop Production

New research shows abrupt climate change over 14,000 years ago associated with a shift in monsoon patterns and a decline in vegetation growth

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A graphic showing changes in oxygen isotope levels between 14,700 years ago and 14,500 years ago

The ratio of 18O to 16O found in an ice core has shown the history of abrupt climate change on Earth. For example, dry spells around 14,700 years ago resulted in the planet being quite arid north of the equator. Monsoons that followed, caused the proliferation of vegetation north of the equator 14,500 years ago.

Credit: Zina Deretsky, National Science Foundation


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Cover of the June 12, 2009 edition of the journal Science.

The research appears in the June 12, 2009 edition of the journal Science.

Credit: Copyright 2009 AAAS


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