Ancient Climate Rebounds After Massive Eruptions

The eruptions that created the massive Columbia River Basalt Group were responsible for releasing tons of sulfur dioxide, but the climate may have rebounded quickly.

IMAGE: The Columbia River flood basalt eruptions produced extensive lava flows that lasted for 2 million years, but they likely didn’t impact global climate for nearly that long. Flood basalt eruptions are extended periods of near-continuous but low-intensity volcanism punctuated by large explosive events, somewhat resembling the lava flows from Kīlauea Volcano’s Lower East Rift Zone, above. CREDIT: USGS Hawaiian Volcano Observatory

When we talk about climate change, there is definitely an air of doom and gloom about the stories. We hear…