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Physical Sciences - Article
Xiaochuan Tian
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0289-1794
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This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Temporal correlations between continental flood basalt eruptions and mass extinctions have long been recognized ^1. Massive carbon degassing of Large Igneous Provinces can cause catastrophic global climatic and biotic perturbations ^1–3. However, recent high precision geochronology from the Deccan Traps ^4,5 and the Columbia River Basalt Group ^6 challenges this causal link by showing that the major phase of flood basalts eruptions happened after the onset of global warming ^7–9 by several hundred thousand years. Here, we argue that major eruptions of continental flood basalts may require densification of the crust by intrusion of larger volumes of magma than are extruded. Simple models show that magma crystallization and release of CO2 from such intrusions could produce global warming before the main phase of flood basalt eruptions on the observed timescale. Our model, consistent with geological, geophysical, geochemical and paleoclimate data, suggests that the evolving crustal density has a first-order control on timing of the major phase of continental flood basalt volcanism. Degassing of CO2 from LIP-related intrusions significantly affects Earth's climate and habitability.
Keywords
tectonics, climate, paleoclimatology, global warming
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This preprint is under consideration at a Nature Portfolio Journal. A preprint is a preliminary version of a manuscript that has not completed peer review at a journal. Research Square does not conduct peer review prior to posting preprints. The posting of a preprint on this server should not be interpreted as an endorsement of its validity or suitability for dissemination as established information or for guiding clinical practice.
Nature journals have partnered with Research Square to offer In Review, a journal-integrated preprint deposition service.
Physical Sciences - Article
Xiaochuan Tian
Lamont-Doherty Earth Observatory
Corresponding Author
ORCiD: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0289-1794
Badges
Prescreen
This manuscript passed our Prescreen assessment
Complete author information
Appropriate declaration statements
Potential risks to human health
Prescreen
Peer Review Timeline
CURRENT STATUS: Under Review
Version 1
Posted 11 May, 2021
Metrics
Comments: 0
PDF Downloads: ...
HTML Views: ...
License:
This work is licensed under a CC BY 4.0 License. Read Full License
Temporal correlations between continental flood basalt eruptions and mass extinctions have long been recognized ^1. Massive carbon degassing of Large Igneous Provinces can cause catastrophic global climatic and biotic perturbations ^1–3. However, recent high precision geochronology from the Deccan Traps ^4,5 and the Columbia River Basalt Group ^6 challenges this causal link by showing that the major phase of flood basalts eruptions happened after the onset of global warming ^7–9 by several hundred thousand years. Here, we argue that major eruptions of continental flood basalts may require densification of the crust by intrusion of larger volumes of magma than are extruded. Simple models show that magma crystallization and release of CO2 from such intrusions could produce global warming before the main phase of flood basalt eruptions on the observed timescale. Our model, consistent with geological, geophysical, geochemical and paleoclimate data, suggests that the evolving crustal density has a first-order control on timing of the major phase of continental flood basalt volcanism. Degassing of CO2 from LIP-related intrusions significantly affects Earth's climate and habitability.
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
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