82 / 2025-03-31 13:50:15

Reconstructing Pleistocene climate and volcanic activity from dendrological analysis of Abies fossils from Changchun, Northeast China

tree growth ring,paleoclimate,Songliao Plain,volcano,Northeast Asia

Theme 3: Earth-Life Co-evolution Through Time > Session 3g: Impact of Volcanism on the Habitability of the Earth

During the Pleistocene, the Songliao Plain, located in Northeast China, was significantly influenced by intense volcanic activity from surrounding regions. While some of these volcanoes are currently inactive, others remain dormant and are expected to reactivate in the future, potentially becoming some of the most hazardous volcanoes on the planet. Understanding how past eruptions affected the region’s biota is essential for predicting the potential ecological and climatic consequences of future volcanic activity in the densely populated areas of Northeast Asia.

To reconstruct past climate conditions and identify possible signatures of nearby volcanic activity, we analyzed four well-preserved Abies wood fossils from the Middle Pleistocene, discovered in modern deposits of the Yitong River in Changchun City. Although the city is located over 400 km away from major volcanic centers, ash deposits from these eruptions have been found as far as Japan, suggesting that, depending on wind patterns, volcanic materials could have reached the study site. High-resolution measurements of tree growth rings in transverse sections were conducted under a microscope, and ten of the most widely used paleobotanical proxies for paleoclimate reconstruction were applied. These included: growth ring width, mean sensitivity, leaf lifespan analysis, percentage of latewood, classification of growth ring types, percentage diminution, identification of trauma indicators, and cyclicity analysis.

Previous studies suggest that glacial conditions may have contributed to triggering volcanic activity at Changbai Volcano. Its eruptions could have induced severe climatic disruptions that adversely impacted regional ecosystems. This study highlights the importance of dendroclimatic approaches in reconstructing past environmental disturbances and offers crucial insights for assessing future risks associated with volcanic activity in Northeast Asia.