Monday, August 6, 2012

Sub-tropical climate and forest in Antarctica

Results from Expedition 318 to the Wilkes Land margin of Antarctica show that Antarctica was warm and that forests were present on its coast some 53 million years ago, when carbon dioxide in the atmosphere was at twice the present levels. During this time, Antarctica was already in near polar position and the study provides important information on the Earth System's sensitivity to climate change. Dr. Passchier participated in this expedition and is a co-author on this study as part of Expedition 318 scientists.
links: BBC News article, Nature abstract.