1960 paper first documented abrupt global climate shift 11,000 radiocarbon years ago. The paper 'Evidence for an Abrupt Change in Climate Close to 11,000 Years Ago' by Ewing, Duplessey, and Brecker (1960) presented evidence of a massive and sudden global climate shift The study synthesizes data from deep sea sediment cores, changing water levels in Great Basin lakes, and pollen records from Europe Key findings include significant rise in ocean temperature and abrupt changes in sedimentation rates in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico

The 1960 paper by Ewing, Duplessey, and Broecker presented groundbreaking evidence of a massive abrupt global climate shift. Synthesizing deep sea sediment cores, Great Basin lake levels, and European pollen records, they documented a significant ocean temperature rise and dramatic sedimentation changes. The Mississippi River began depositing sediment creating the enormous submerged fan delta on which New Orleans now sits. They concluded this climatic threshold was one of the most distinct fluctuations in geological history. That 11,000 radiocarbon years (uncalibrated) is now known to be closer to 13,000 calendar years.

Key Facts

  • The paper 'Evidence for an Abrupt Change in Climate Close to 11,000 Years Ago' by Ewing, Duplessey, and Brecker (1960) presented evidence of a massive and sudden global climate shift
  • The study synthesizes data from deep sea sediment cores, changing water levels in Great Basin lakes, and pollen records from Europe
  • Key findings include significant rise in ocean temperature and abrupt changes in sedimentation rates in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico
  • The Mississippi River began dumping its sediment load creating an enormous submerged fan delta on which New Orleans is now built
  • Evidence shows Earth's climate reached near-modern conditions in less than a millennium
  • The authors concluded this climatic threshold represents one of the most distinct and well-documented fluctuations in geological history
  • The 11,000 radiocarbon years uncalibrated date is now known to be closer to 13,000 calendar years

Source: Cold War Secrets and The Discovery of Catastrophic Climate Change by The Randall Carlson