Researchers from the Leibniz Institute for Applied Geophysics used geophysical data from
Tropical regions are one of the mostdensely populated regions of the earth. But at the same time, the impact of climate change on such zones is still poorly understood, scientists say. In their work, the researchers used data on lake sediments collected from a 300 m deep borehole. To date the sediments, the scientists used geophysical data and astrochronology, a calibration method based on the Earth's orbital cycles associated with periodic changes in the movement of the planet in its orbit around the Sun.
The results of the study showed that dry periods periodically repeated in Central Mexico, associated with a natural change in temperature on Earth.
Sediment analysis data. Image: Mehrdad Sardar Abadi et al., Quaternary Science Reviews
In Central Mexico, subduction of the Pacificplates under the North American continental plate formed about a million years ago a vast inland drainage basin - the Valley of Mexico. Since its formation, water has been retained in this basin and covered about 1500 km² of the valley floor.
Sediment analysis data. Image: Mehrdad Sardar Abadi et al., Quaternary Science Reviews
The water level in the lake fluctuated in response toalternation of warm and cool periods in the history of the Earth. During the warm period, due to more precipitation, the water level in the lake rose to 100 m, and during the cold periods, the water level dropped to several meters due to drought.
Lake deposits trace the history of the planet andstore clues that tell about past climate and environmental conditions. Through this study, we can determine how volatile climate shifts have been in the past and how the environment has responded to them.
Mehrdad Sardar Abadi, Head of Research
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On the cover: panorama of Lake Chalka. Image: LIAG