Blast from the Sun 14,000 years ago was so powerful trees still remember it
Scientists have uncovered evidence of a colossal solar storm that struck Earth more than 14,000 years ago, an event so powerful that its effects are still recorded in tree rings today.Detailed in the upcoming July 2025 issue of Earth and Planetary Science Letters, this ancient storm, which occurred around 12,350 BC, dwarfs any solar storm recorded in modern history and would wreak havoc on today's technology if it were to happen again.advertisementKnown as a "Miyake Event," this storm far surpasses the infamous Carrington Event of 1859, previously considered the benchmark for extreme solar activity.
Miyake Events are identified by spikes in carbon-14 levels found in tree rings—carbon-14 being a radioactive isotope produced when solar particles collide with Earth's atmosphere. Since the first discovery by Fusa Miyake in 2012, at least six such events have been confirmed, including those in 774 AD and 993 AD.The 12,350 BC Miyake Event stands out due to its immense scale and the challenges it posed to scientists trying to interpret it. The spike in carbon-14 was detected in Scots Pine trees along France's Drouzet River, and corroborated by matching beryllium-10 levels in Greenland ice cores, confirming the storm's global reach.However, interpreting these signals was complicated by the fact that the event occurred during the Ice Age, a period with very different atmospheric and climatic conditions compared to the relatively stable Holocene epoch when most other Miyake Events occurred.advertisementTo tackle this, researchers Kseniia Golubenko and Ilya Usoskin from the University of Oulu, Finland, developed a specialised chemistry-climate model. This model accounts for Ice Age variables such as ice sheet boundaries, sea levels, and geomagnetic fields, enabling accurate analysis of the ancient data.Their findings reveal that the 12,350 BC storm unleashed a solar particle bombardment 500 times stronger than the largest solar particle storm recorded by satellites in 2005.To put this in perspective, during the 2005 event, a passenger flying over the poles might have received a year's worth of cosmic radiation in one hour; during the Ice Age event, the same dose would have been delivered in just eight seconds.This discovery not only redefines the worst-case scenario for space weather but also opens the door to studying even older solar storms, potentially uncovering more extreme events hidden in Earth's ancient records.Must Watch
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Indian Express
a day ago
- Indian Express
Bed bugs were likely one of the first pests found in cities, new study finds
Common bed bugs (Cimex lectularius) grew in number when humans started living together in the first cities. These tiny bloodsuckers were likely the first insect pests to thrive in city environments, and maybe even the first urban pests, according to a new study by scientists at Virginia Tech, United States, that was published in Biology Letters on May 28. Bed bugs originally fed on bats. But around 245,000 years ago, one group of bedbugs started feeding on humans, likely beginning with Neanderthals. About a year ago, Lindsay Miles from Virginia Tech began studying bedbug genetic data to see how their populations changed over time. Bedbug numbers dropped around 19,000 years ago, when the Ice Age ended and habitats changed. Both types of bedbugs did decline, but the ones that fed on humans increased sharply some 13,000 years ago, stayed steady for a while, and then rose again 7,000 years ago. In comparison, the population of bedbugs that feed on bats are still decreasing. The big change from fewer to more bedbugs happened around the same time the first cities appeared in western Asia and started to grow, as per the study. Before that, people moved around a lot and didn't often meet other groups, so bedbugs didn't spread much either. But once people began living together in cities, it created a new environment for bedbugs. The study states that the bugs started mating with each other more, their numbers grew quickly, and they adapted to life in cities. The researchers also hypothesised that bed bugs were one of the first pests to adjust to city life and were likely the first insect pests to live in urban areas. Other animals became connected to city life much later. German cockroaches, for instance, started living closely with humans around 2,100 years ago, and black rats around 5,000 years ago. Mark Ravinet, an evolutionary biologist from the University of Oslo in Norway, who said that these findings showed that bedbugs can help scientists learn how species adapt to live with humans. He said the study was important for understanding how quickly animals can adjust to human environments and what changes they make in order to survive.
Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Mammoths vs. Elephants: A detailed comparison on the basis of characteristics, habitat and more
Source: Wikipedia Mammoths and elephants are two of the most fascinating and iconic members of the elephant family and they even share many similarities yet exhibit distinct differences. While elephants roam the Earth today, mammoths lived thousands of years ago during the Ice Age and are now extinct. Comparing these prehistoric giants with their modern relatives helps us understand how they adapted to different environments, their physical traits, behavior and their place in natural history. This comparison sheds light on the characteristics, habitat,survival and challenges faced by these remarkable creatures. How mammoths and elephants are different Aspect Mammoths Elephants Physical Characteristics Thick, shaggy fur; long, spiraled tusks; stocky body with fat hump; smaller ears; built for cold Sparse hair; straighter tusks; larger ears (especially African elephants); adapted to warm climates Species & Classification Genus Mammuthus; extinct; famous species: woolly mammoth (Mammuthus primigenius) Genus Elephas (Asian elephants) and Loxodonta (African elephants); three living species; endangered Habitat & Distribution Lived in Ice Age tundras & grasslands of North America, Europe, northern Asia; cold, icy climates Found in sub-Saharan Africa (savannas, forests, deserts) and South/Southeast Asia (tropical forests) Diet & Behavior Herbivores; grazed cold-tolerant plants; lived in matriarchal herds; used trunks for feeding & social interaction Herbivores; varied diet including fruits and bark; matriarchal herds; behaviors include dust bathing and mud wallowing Extinction & Conservation Extinct ~4,000 years ago due to climate change and hunting; cold adaptations lost value Still alive; threatened by habitat loss, poaching, human conflict; conservation efforts ongoing Evolutionary Relationship Shared common ancestor with elephants; diverged millions of years ago; closely related genetically Closest living relatives to mammoths; evolutionary adaptations to warm climates Cultural & Historical Significance Featured in Ice Age art; used for tools and food by early humans Symbolize strength, wisdom, royalty; important in religion, folklore, warfare, and labor historically Adaptations Thick fur, fat layer, curved tusks for snow digging, smaller ears to reduce heat loss Large ears for heat dissipation, sparse hair, versatile trunks, strong legs and tusks adapted to warm environments Mammoths vs elephants: Key differences Physical characteristics Mammoths and elephants share similar body structures but have notable differences. Mammoths were generally covered in thick, shaggy fur to survive Ice Age cold, while elephants have sparse hair suited for warmer climates. Mammoths had long, curved tusks that spiraled more dramatically than elephants' straighter tusks. Their bodies were stockier with a hump of fat on their backs for insulation. In contrast, elephants have larger ears, especially African elephants, which help regulate body temperature. Both species have trunks and large, sturdy legs but mammoths were built to endure freezing conditions, whereas elephants are adapted to tropical and savanna environments. Species and classification Mammoths and elephants both belong to the family Elephantidae, making them close relatives. Mammoths fall under the genus Mammuthus, with the most famous species being the woolly mammoth, which lived during the Ice Age. In contrast, modern elephants belong to the genus Elephas which are Asian elephants and Loxodonta which are African elephants. There are three main living species: the African bush elephant, the African forest elephant,and the Asian elephant. While mammoths are extinct, elephants continue to survive but many species face threats and are considered vulnerable or endangered. Habitat and distribution Mammoths primarily lived in cold and icy environments during the Ice Age, such as the vast tundras and grasslands of North America, Europe and northern Asia. Their thick fur and fat helped them survive harsh, freezing climates. In contrast, modern elephants inhabit warmer regions. African elephants are found across sub-Saharan Africa in savannas, forests, and deserts while Asian elephants live in tropical forests and grasslands across South and Southeast Asia. Unlike mammoths, which are extinct, elephants still roam diverse habitats but face challenges due to habitat loss and human activity. Diet and behavior Both mammoths and elephants were herbivores, primarily feeding on grasses, leaves, shrubs, and bark. Mammoths grazed on tough and cold-tolerant plants and were found in Ice Age tundras while elephants consume a wide variety of vegetation depending on their habitat, including fruits and tree bark. Socially, both animals lived in herds led by a matriarch, showing strong family bonds and complex communication. They used their trunks for feeding, drinking and social interaction. While mammoths adapted to harsh and cold environments, elephants display behaviors suited to warmer climates, such as dust bathing and mud wallowing to regulate body temperature. Extinction and conservation Mammoths went extinct around 4,000 years ago, primarily due to climate change at the end of the Ice Age and hunting by early humans. Their cold-adapted traits became less useful as temperatures rose, leading to habitat loss. In contrast, elephants are still alive today but face serious threats from habitat destruction, poaching for ivory and human-wildlife conflict. Conservation efforts focus on protecting elephant habitats, enforcing anti-poaching laws and supporting breeding programs to prevent their decline. While mammoths are gone, the survival of elephants depends heavily on global conservation actions to ensure these majestic creatures do not face the same fate. Evolutionary relationship Mammoths and elephants share a common ancestor and belong to the same family that is Elephantidae. Their evolutionary paths diverged millions of years ago, with mammoths adapting to cold Ice Age environments while elephants evolved to thrive in warmer climates. Despite differences in appearance and habitat, their genetic makeup remains closely related. Modern elephants are considered the closest living relatives of mammoths. Advances in DNA analysis have even allowed scientists to study mammoth genes, offering insights into how these species evolved and adapted to their environments over time. Cultural and historical significance Mammoths have fascinated humans for thousands of years, appearing in prehistoric cave paintings and ancient tools made from their bones and tusks. They played a key role in Ice Age cultures as a source of food, materials, and inspiration. Elephants have held cultural importance across many civilizations- symbolizing strength, wisdom and royalty in cultures from Africa to Asia. They feature prominently in religious ceremonies, folklore and art. Historically, elephants were also used in warfare and labor. Both animals continue to influence human culture, reminding us of the deep connections between wildlife and human history. Adaptations Mammoths were well adapted to cold Ice Age environments with thick, shaggy fur and a dense layer of fat to keep warm. Their long and curved tusks helped them dig through snow to reach vegetation. They also had smaller ears compared to elephants, reducing heat loss. Elephants, on the other hand, are adapted to warmer climates. They have large ears that help dissipate heat and sparse hair to keep cool. Their trunks are highly versatile for feeding, drinking, and social interaction. Both species developed strong legs and tusks suited to their environments, showing how evolution shaped them for survival in different conditions. Also read: King Cobra vs Eastern Indigo Snake: Who will win a fight between these two venomous creatures
New Indian Express
2 days ago
- New Indian Express
Fossil fuels induced Black Carbon melt Himalayan snows, says study
NEW DELHI: A recent report indicates that Black Carbon emissions have raised snow surface temperatures by 4°C over the past two decades, accelerating the melting processes of Himalayan glaciers, particularly in the Eastern and Central Himalayas. Delhi-based research organisation Climate Trend study analysis examined NASA satellite data of the Himalayan glaciers from 2000-2023 to evaluate the impact of Black Carbon emissions resulting from burning biomass and fossil fuels. The study – 'Impact of Black Carbon on Himalayan Glaciers: A 23-Year Trends Analysis' shows that Black Carbon (BC) concentration in the region rose significantly from 2000 to 2019. Further, the levels see relative stabilisation between 2019 and 2023, suggesting a possible plateau in emissions or a change in atmospheric conditions. According to the report, the average snow surface temperatures in the Himalayan snow peaks have increased by more than 4°C over the last two decades, from an average of -11.27°C (2000–2009) to -7.13°C (2020–2023). The overall mean temperature increase over the 23 years was -8.57°C. Regions with higher Black Carbon deposition have higher snow surface temperatures and lower snow depth. Hence, more Black Carbon means higher surface temperature, more snow melt, and reduced snow depth. The research reveals that black carbon particles darken snow surfaces, lower their reflectivity (albedo), and make them absorb more solar radiation, which results in faster snow melt.
