Document Type
Article
Author ORCID Identifier
Thomas Westerhold https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8151-4684
Edoardo Dallanave https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4673-1792
Donald E. Penman https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4191-0505
Blair Schoene https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7092-8590
Ursula Röhl https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9469-7053
Nikolaus Gussone https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3390-1118
Journal/Book Title/Conference
Science Advances
Volume
11
Issue
10
Publisher
American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS)
Publication Date
3-7-2025
Journal Article Version
Version of Record
First Page
1
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Last Page
11
Abstract
At the end of the Cretaceous, the massive Deccan trap (DT) volcanic eruptions are regarded as the primary driver of global climate deterioration. Accurate age models are key to unravel the sequence of events related to DT volcanism onset and effects on the global climate system. We establish a direct geochemical link between DT volcanism as recorded in marine osmium isotopic data and global climate change documented in benthic foraminifera carbon and oxygen isotope records. Based on our state-of-the-art astronomically calibrated age model, two major shifts in marine 187Os/188Os at 66.49 and 66.28 million years ago are contemporaneous with major eruption phases of the DT and disruptions of the global carbon cycle. Geochemical records and modeling suggest larger erupted volumes with high volatile emissions for the early phase of DT volcanism and point to differing emissions of SO2 and CO2 during the observed marine osmium shifts with diverse effects on the global climate system.
Recommended Citation
Thomas Westerhold et al., Earth orbital rhythms links timing of Deccan trap volcanism phases and global climate change. Sci. Adv. 11, eadr8584 (2025). DOI:10.1126/sciadv.adr8584