A study by University of Adelaide researchers and Queensland Government scientists has revealed what south-east Queensland’s rainfall was like over the last 7000 years – including several severe droughts worse and longer lasting than the 12-year Millennium Drought.
A study by University of Adelaide researchers and Queensland Government scientists has revealed what south-east Queensland’s rainfall was like over the last 7000 years – including several severe droughts worse and longer lasting than the 12-year Millennium Drought.
The study – published in Scientific Reports - used preserved paper-bark tea tree leaves from North Stradbroke Island’s Swallow Lagoon that have been collecting in the sediment for the past 7700 years.
The leaves – analysed for chemical variation - provided a wealth of information on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and how it was impacted by major climate changes over the millennia, including the Little Ice Age from about 1450 to 1850.
Researchers found a generally wet period about 5000 to 6000 years ago – indicating a more consistent La Niña-like climate.
Read more at University of Adelaide
Image: This is a sediment core sample from Swallow Lagoon. (Credit: John Tibby, University of Adelaide)
