Underwater volcano study adds to increasingly complex picture of volcanos and climate

[NickB79]

http://natmonitor.com/2015/02/07/underwater-volcano-study-adds-to-increasingly-complex-picture-of-volcanos-and-climate/

Over the last few years there have been a number of studies showing both short term and long term climate impacts linked to volcanic activity. While there is strong scientific consensus that humans are responsible for excessive greenhouse gasses, which is causing climate change it is becoming increasingly clear that volcanic activity contributing as well. However, in the case of volcanos, arriving at a consensus may take awhile.

The most recent study, published in Geophysical Research Letters, examines the role of volcanic activity in deeply submerged mid-ocean ranges. Specifically, the report looks at mid-ocean ridges where molten rock from the Earth’s interior creates new planetary crust.

This activity coincides with natural 100,000 year changes in Earth’s orbit around the sun, which correspond to changes in climate.

"Generally, mid-ocean ridges are thought of as this tiny, not very significant contributor to the carbon cycle and that is true, but that's because they are thought of as a steady-state process. But, if they go through periods of significantly enhanced volcanism and significantly suppressed volcanism, then they may be more important than we thought," said Maya Tolstoy in a statement.