The average global temperature during the last ice age was some 8°C cooler than today – several degrees colder than previously thought, according to scientific research with Swiss participation published on Wednesday.
The last ice age, when much of the northern hemisphere was covered in glaciers, ended around 10,000 years ago.
The international research, which included input from the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology (Eawag), analysed chemicals in old groundwater in various countries to determine its temperature when it seeped into the earth.
Until now, the researchers say, temperatures during the last ice age have been estimated by looking at ice cores (cylinders) removed from high latitudes, while temperatures at medium and lower latitudes have been more difficult to gauge.
More
More
Glacier experiments helped define ice age theory
This content was published on
In 1827, Franz Joseph Hugi of Solothurn built a primitive hut on the glacier, then pounded in a series of stakes and chiselled marks onto the rocks, becoming the first to measure glacial movement. It was an important development, supporting theories of some European scholars and confirming what mountain dwellers already knew — that glaciers…
As such, the newer method, which was outlined on Wednesday in Nature magazine, finds that previous estimates were three to five degrees off target, and that the average global temperature during the last ice age was around 8°C.
Today, the average global temperature is 14°C.
For the researchers, the findings reinforce the reliability of new climate models, which assume an extremely pronounced period of cold temperatures during the ice age.
However, the results of the research are not all positive they say, since they also suggest that the climate is more sensitive to CO2 in the atmosphere than previously thought. This means the earth may be on track to continue warming at a faster pace than current predictions reckon.
More
More
Human influence on melting glaciers pushed back decades
This content was published on
Research by a Swiss institute has thrown doubt on the assumption that the melting of Alpine glaciers began with the onset of industrialisation.
Lucerne voters back fast-tracked wind energy expansion
This content was published on
The construction of large wind turbines in the canton of Lucerne should not be delayed by lengthy approval procedures. Voters have spoken out in favor of curtailing municipal autonomy and a cantonal planning approval procedure.
Valais voters reject plan to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040
This content was published on
Voters in canton Valais in southern Switzerland have turned down a proposal for the region to achieve carbon neutrality by 2040.
Swiss central banker wants to boost equity to head off risks
This content was published on
Equity levels at the Swiss National Bank (SNB) are much too low for the risks its large balance sheet poses, according to Martin Schlegel.
Beer sales in Switzerland watered down by bad weather
This content was published on
The past brewing year fell through in Switzerland, partly due to the bad weather. Beer sales shrank again. For the first time, per capita consumption fell below the 50 liter mark.
Compensation for Syrian after pregnant wife denied help on Swiss train
This content was published on
Switzerland’s Federal Court has partially upheld the appeal of a Syrian family being deported from Switzerland to Italy in 2014. The man now also receives compensation.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.