Ice Age Terminations in Science 326 No. 5950 pp. 248-252, October 9, 2009

New York: AAAS, 2009. 1st Edition. Chang shows that oxygen isotope records of stalagmites in China allows correlation of records of the 4 past glacial terminations with ice cores, establishing the timing of major events.

"Th-dated oxygen isotope records of stalagmites from Sanbao Cave, China, characterize Asian Monsoon (AM) precipitation through the ends of the third- and fourthmost recent ice ages. As a result, AM records for the past four glacial terminations can now be precisely correlated with those from ice cores and marine sediments, establishing the timing and sequence of major events. In all four cases, observations are consistent with a classic Northern Hemisphere summer insolation intensity trigger for an initial retreat of northern ice sheets. Meltwater and icebergs entering the North Atlantic alter oceanic and atmospheric circulation and associated fluxes of heat and carbon, causing increases in atmospheric CO2 and Antarctic temperatures that drive the termination in the Southern Hemisphere. Increasing CO2 and summer insolation drive recession of northern ice sheets, with probable positive feedbacks between sea level and CO2.". CONDITION & DETAILS: Washington DC: The American Association for the Advancement of Science. 8vo. Original pictorial wrappers. The issue bears slight evidence of the removal of a sticker (see photo). The wraps are otherwise bright and very clean. The inside is pristine.