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Deglaciation-enhanced mantle CO2 fluxes at Yellowstone imply positive climate feedback

Author

Listed:
  • Fiona Clerc

    (Previously at: MIT-WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science & Engineering
    Columbia University)

  • Mark D. Behn

    (Boston College)

  • Brent M. Minchew

    (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)

Abstract

Mantle melt generation in response to glacial unloading has been linked to enhanced magmatic volatile release in Iceland and global eruptive records. It is unclear whether this process is important in systems lacking evidence of enhanced eruptions. The deglaciation of the Yellowstone ice cap did not observably enhance volcanism, yet Yellowstone emits large volumes of CO2 due to melt crystallization at depth. Here we model mantle melting and CO2 release during the deglaciation of Yellowstone (using Iceland as a benchmark). We find mantle melting is enhanced 19-fold during deglaciation, generating an additional 250–620 km3. These melts segregate an additional 18–79 Gt of CO2 from the mantle, representing a ~3–15% increase in the global volcanic CO2 flux (if degassed immediately). We suggest deglaciation-enhanced mantle melting is important in continental settings with partially molten mantle – including Greenland and West Antarctica – potentially implying positive feedbacks between deglaciation and climate warming.

Suggested Citation

  • Fiona Clerc & Mark D. Behn & Brent M. Minchew, 2024. "Deglaciation-enhanced mantle CO2 fluxes at Yellowstone imply positive climate feedback," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 15(1), pages 1-10, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:15:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-024-45890-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-45890-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ulrich H. Faul, 2001. "Melt retention and segregation beneath mid-ocean ridges," Nature, Nature, vol. 410(6831), pages 920-923, April.
    2. David Pollard & Robert M. DeConto, 2009. "Modelling West Antarctic ice sheet growth and collapse through the past five million years," Nature, Nature, vol. 458(7236), pages 329-332, March.
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