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Correlation between rate of sea-level change and frequency of explosive volcanism in the Mediterranean

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  • W. J. McGuire

    (Greig Fester Centre for Hazard Research, Research School of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University College London)

  • R. J. Howarth

    (Greig Fester Centre for Hazard Research, Research School of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University College London)

  • C. R. Firth

    (Neotectonics Research Centre, Brunel University)

  • A. R. Solow

    (Marine Policy Center, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution)

  • A. D. Pullen

    (Imperial College of Science, Technology and Medicine)

  • S. J. Saunders

    (Neotectonics Research Centre, Brunel University)

  • I. S. Stewart

    (Neotectonics Research Centre, Brunel University)

  • C. Vita-Finzi

    (Greig Fester Centre for Hazard Research, Research School of Geological and Geophysical Sciences, University College London)

Abstract

Volcanic activity has frequently been linked to Quaternary environmental change, either by driving climate modification1,2 or in response to environmental changes3. Although a link has been established between large explosive eruptions and small (0.5 °C), brief (1–2 years) falls in global temperatures4, both the evidence and mechanisms responsible for longer episodes of eruption-induced planetary cooling remain questionable1,2,5,6. In contrast, recent research based on ice-core data suggests that rapid climate changes during the past 110,000 years increased explosive volcanic activity7. Here we present a statistical analysis relating the frequency of explosive activity of Mediterranean volcanoes — based on dated8,9,10,11 tephra layers in deep-sea sediment cores — to the rate of late Quaternary sea-level change. The nonlinear correlation between the two is tentatively explained in terms of dynamic responses of the volcanoes to stress-related influences on various spatial scales. The correlation supports a mechanism or mechanisms by which the climate-driven growth and decay of large ice sheets can influence the eruptive chronologies of distant volcanic edifices via changes in global sea level.

Suggested Citation

  • W. J. McGuire & R. J. Howarth & C. R. Firth & A. R. Solow & A. D. Pullen & S. J. Saunders & I. S. Stewart & C. Vita-Finzi, 1997. "Correlation between rate of sea-level change and frequency of explosive volcanism in the Mediterranean," Nature, Nature, vol. 389(6650), pages 473-476, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:nature:v:389:y:1997:i:6650:d:10.1038_38998
    DOI: 10.1038/38998
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    Cited by:

    1. Howard Roscoe, 2001. "The Risk of Large Volcanic Eruptions and the Impact of this Risk on Future Ozone Depletion," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 23(2), pages 231-246, March.

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